Tipping: Don't do what I did.
#46
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,076
I think that's still a little different as at least in that case the customers are still paying for it. In the case of OP, hypothetically the hotel should be paying that (that being the initial gratuity that was included) out of their own pocket - I know one could argue you're paying for it with your room rate, but I would argue that you're not if a Plat gets complimentary breakfast but a non-elite paying the same rate does not.
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
You didn't explain how you added the tip.
At the Marriott Suites Garden Grove (Anaheim area) CA, when they give me a breakfast bill with the Platinum voucher, they write $0 for the amount due (after crossing out the normal buffet cost). Then I write in the tip and the total.
Is this how it worked for you, or was there a different way that you added the tip? Did you fill out a total llne, or only a tip line? Did the restaurant write in $0 for amount owed, or not?
At the Marriott Suites Garden Grove (Anaheim area) CA, when they give me a breakfast bill with the Platinum voucher, they write $0 for the amount due (after crossing out the normal buffet cost). Then I write in the tip and the total.
Is this how it worked for you, or was there a different way that you added the tip? Did you fill out a total llne, or only a tip line? Did the restaurant write in $0 for amount owed, or not?
2. Finished eating, asked for the check, server said it was covered. I asked for the check because I thought part of the order might not have been covered. The voucher clearly stated tip included.
3. I explained I knew the tip was included but asked for the check for the purpose of leaving an additional tip.
4. The server hesitated a moment, then said OK. He returned with a check for $25 and said it would be removed. I entered a $5 tip, and left a total of $5. (In hindsight, should have X'd out the $25 and written Platinum, though primary responsibility was with server/restaurant.)
5. At checkout, total was $30. Explained the situation to the FDA, who said only the restaurant could change it. (Not my experience with the competition.) She called the restaurant and then confirmed with me that I wanted to tip the $5. She said it would be taken care of.
6. When my folio arrived by e-mail days later, the $30 was there along with another, separate charge for $5.
#48
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699
OMG, with so many hands touching an out-of-the-ordinary process for them, its a miracle you weren't triple charged for arguing with them. Of course no good deed goes unpunished. Leave cash or just leave, it was included!
#49
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I think that's still a little different as at least in that case the customers are still paying for it. In the case of OP, hypothetically the hotel should be paying that (that being the initial gratuity that was included) out of their own pocket - I know one could argue you're paying for it with your room rate, but I would argue that you're not if a Plat gets complimentary breakfast but a non-elite paying the same rate does not.
#50
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: CLT
Programs: Marriott Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 1,076
Maybe I misunderstood you. If the gratuity is included in the free but not line-item charged to the guest, compensation is between the hotel and the employee. Maybe they are taking care of it by paying the employee more, paying the employee a fixed tip per customer or just not paying the employee anything. If a customer is told he/she is paying a tip (paying not it being taken care of) then the money needs to go to the server and not be stolen by the restaurant. Sorry for the misunderstanding on what "included" means.
OP, care to share what property? I'm surprised they'd say "only the restaurant could change it." Unlike things like valet parking, I always assumed most of the restaurants (except for maybe locations that have restaurants such as Ruth's Chris attached) at Marriotts were just a part of the hotel.
#51
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Location: RSW
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Posts: 14,185
In those cases, you need to clearly write ZERO in the gross charges line (adding "waived" can't hurt) and then the tip and the tip again as TOTAL.
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: California
Programs: Hyatt Global, Marriot Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,282
Got it and agree. And I think that uncertainty is why OP and others try to leave additional tips when it's already "included." But of course the hotels don't always make it easy.
OP, care to share what property? I'm surprised they'd say "only the restaurant could change it." Unlike things like valet parking, I always assumed most of the restaurants (except for maybe locations that have restaurants such as Ruth's Chris attached) at Marriotts were just a part of the hotel.
OP, care to share what property? I'm surprised they'd say "only the restaurant could change it." Unlike things like valet parking, I always assumed most of the restaurants (except for maybe locations that have restaurants such as Ruth's Chris attached) at Marriotts were just a part of the hotel.
And to your second point, this was the Oakland Downtown Marriott at the main restaurant on the second floor. I don't know one way or another if it is Marriott-owned.
Frankly, the whole thing was a little surprising to me. Compared to, say, Starwood and Hyatt, Marriott seems the most organized, if not regimented.
#54
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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My point is that I'm not going out of my way to get cash for this purpose.
My use of cash has dropped 90% since the kids got old enough to no longer need a babysitter. Then the routine was go to CVS, buy a candy bar, get $40 back, give to babysitter.
I imagine babysitters now probably have Square or something similar... Or maybe they'll all just jump straight to crypto...
#55
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699
Ironically, I was staying Fri night on points but Sat with cash (got a $200 PLT Override) since they were sold out. Sat morning, the CY across the street became available on points so I asked if I could checkout and did and left. Took one look at the CY and headed back on the odd chance I could get back into the FS somehow. They told me that I had never checked out and gave me new keys to my same room which was made up. A few hours later as I was getting ready for the Furthur show at Berkeley, a couple came barging through the door, we all looked at each other then they left to sort it out.
So maybe, operationally, they are a bit deficient in processing things...
#56
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
#57
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,699
#58
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Anyway, the bottom line for me is that this was a potential one off (or property specific) & I'll continue to add the tip to the bill, as I've never had the same problem as the OP despite putting a tip on the breakfast bill for years.
Cheers.
Cheers.
#60
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Join Date: Aug 2002
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Your post followed mine. I did not say anyone was too lazy to carry cash.
I said I've put the tip on my breakfast bill at multiple hotels for multiple years & never encountered the OP's triple posting, hence my thought it was a one-off. That's still my belief.
I rarely carry cash or not much cash. I've never thought of myself as 'lazy' for not carrying cash. The norm is for me to have $1-20 (if that) in my wallet. I guess carrying cash has just never been a big thing for me - shrug.
Cheers.
I said I've put the tip on my breakfast bill at multiple hotels for multiple years & never encountered the OP's triple posting, hence my thought it was a one-off. That's still my belief.
I rarely carry cash or not much cash. I've never thought of myself as 'lazy' for not carrying cash. The norm is for me to have $1-20 (if that) in my wallet. I guess carrying cash has just never been a big thing for me - shrug.
Cheers.