Carpboy823

Firmly into OMNI territory now...

IBTL

jimrpa

Americans have just gone so overboard with their tipping culture it embarrasses me to be an American - sigh.

SacTownGuy

I generally do not tip the front desk staff... except at nice hotels in Vegas. That's half to get an upgrade (that almost never happens) and half out of custom. When in Vegas start throwing your money away fast and furious!

Jimgotkp

I've worked in a few hotels (small/boutique and large/mega-resort). At the small, boutique hotels I received quite a bit in tips as I was a Front Desk agent, bellman, chauffeur/concierge. Most tips came from my chauffeur runs as we provided free transportation to nearby areas. Never really expected to receive a tip as a FDA even though I would do a few bag/ice runs. At the large, mega-resort I would receive tips as "bribes" for better rooms. Hotels frown upon it though as they're losing a lot of possible revenue which is why they do a commission system instead.

Funny though that people mention that FDAs make a livable wage so they don't deserve a tip while waiters/waitresses do. At the boutique hotel I worked at, we had a fantastic restaurant where waiters/waitresses would easily make 3-10X as much depending on the day and meal service. Sure they're being paid less than min. wage but they can easily make a boatload of $ from the tips. Meanwhile, I will be doing bag runs or drop-off in the hotel car while getting $0 in tip.

What really matters for FDAs are compliments that are sent via emails/letters/survey. It also is nice when you're on a first name basis with a repeat guest. Good feeling.

Wickersley

I stay, at least, one night per week, in the same hotel in Budapest

I'm always treated very, very well & the majority of the staff know my name.

Two weeks ago, I asked, when checking in, if there was a possibility to upgrade a "very special customer" who had no status with Marriott, for the following evening (one night stay - I would still be a guest)

Customers exact quote "OMG, they put me in the Presedentail Suite"

(Those of you who have stayed in Budapest; know the hotel by now...)

I sent a note of thanks to the generic "front desk" email account

Last week, upon checking in, "Mr Wickersley, thank you for the note, but please don't do it again. ***** got reprimanded"

My view - its good to say thanks, but cash (or staus!) for favours; clearly does not go down well.

JackE

Not going to jail is one reason.

controller1

Yes, when someone goes above and beyond in providing service it is always best to be vague when writing thanks. A simple, "John/Jane exceeded my expectations in providing excellent customer service" is best. Sometimes to provide what the customer wants requires a bending of the rules and if the thank you note is specific, the thank you note backfires on the employee.

dayone

Employee Appreciation 201 teaches to recognize the person, not the act.

Gigantor

As I live in Switzerland, I always travel with Swiss chocolate.
As a rule, I give the front desk person a chocolate bar at the end of the check-in process.

Gigantor

I renounced my US citizenship in 2011.
I am no longer embarrassed.

LondonElite

That seems kind of creepy to me. "Look, a strange man is offering me candy..."

SkiAdcock

Agree.

SacTownGuy

If I understand you right if you had slipped someone a $20 they would not have been reprimanded so just slip them the cash and don't send an email next time!? Say thanks with greenbacks!

Gigantor

I will never offer you Swiss chocolate.

jimrpa

I'll hang on to it despite the occasional embarrassments, it comes with the occasional, odd, heartwarming moment