Concierge level tipping
 

What is the generally accepted practice for tipping at the concierge level?

The generally accepted practice (in my observation) is that people don't tip in the club lounge (if you're just talking about bringing out food or clearing tables). If the attendant/concierge is helping you with something (like reservations or arrangements), then a tip seems appropriate (although I couldn't tell you how much).

I basically agree with bitburgr. Tipping in the CL is for going beyond the normal call of duty or otherwise providing exceptional service. I've always made it a point to reward that. However, clearing your plate or handing you the honor bar card to sign doesn't qualify IMHO.

Agree. I was a regular at the Charlotte Marriott City Center, and Gary always treated me well, so I'd show my appreciation at the end of the week. Here are some examples:

1. I would always pop down at 8:00 to take a break from working, get some dessert, and decaf. Gary recognized this and would always have a fresh pot of decaf ready for me.
2. At one point, I was staying over the weekend, when the lounge is closed. Gary arranged to have a fridge delivered to me room stocked with various diet beverages.
3. During a health bout, I was allowed no caffeine... at all. Gary found out and robbed the downstairs bar for beverages with no caffeine that the lounge didn't store.

In reality, Gary would probably do these things for anyone, but I really appreciated the above and beyond service and attitude. (At one point, I followed up with a letter to the GM and F&B manager to compliment him.)

I never noticed tipping in the CL until about 6 weeks ago when I was in the Renaissance PHL CL. Several people (mostly men eating alone) left a dollar or two at their table upon departure. I had never noticed that before, but felt compelled to borrow a couple of bucks from my kids for me to leave (I hadn't brought my wallet into the lounge).

As I exited the CL, I noticed a 'tip dish' at the front desk with a few singles in it.

The next day, I didn't see anyone leave money on the tables.

When I returned home, I asked my husband, who is also a Marriott Plat, if this was something I'd missed all along and he said he's never seen it, nor has he tipped for the usual CL service.

I thought the tip dish was in poor taste.

ps- On the occasions where I've had exemplary, personalized service (not just asking for help/tickets/directions or anything like that, but CL staff who were attentive to my family and went out of their way to see that we had a great stay), I've always written a note to the GM and sent a copy to Mr. Marriott's office. I feel that this gesture goes a longer way.

Im seeing this tip dish more and more , and I couldnt agree more, its in very poor taste and Im sure mgmt wouldnt like to find out its happenin.

Asothers have said if for some reason I have the attendant take care of things or I request certain things out of the norm. Then a tip would be given.

Ive said this numerous times but when Im at non-Marriott Hotels on a weekend when the lounge is closed and Im given a coupon for a free brkfst in the reg restaurant and I must serve myself that is Except for the OJ & Coffee which is brought over to me, I also dont tip. Either serve me fully or let me serve myself fully. I dont go for that nonsense.

BTW does anyone tip at MickeyDs or Burger King, after all they will cook your food to the way you request it , bag it and bring it to the counter. and Im sure are only earning min wage

If the service is great and the attendant is doing a great job and being helpful and friendly I always say thank you with$5-$10 at the end of my stay.
Regina at the Las Vegas Renaisance is a gem-and she always gets a thank you from me.

I have seen the tip jar at a few properties and, like the others, I feel it is in poor taste. For me, the CL is mostly self-service and I really don't like the attendant hovering over me in an obsequious manner (the Omaha Marriott and the Renaissance Boca Raton come to mind), obviously fishing for tips.

Like Bigguy said, if the service has been truly outstanding or special requests were taken care of, an Abe or Ben thank-you card at the end of your stay would be appropriate.

I also agree with this position. When I am on vacation with the family and the CL folks are attentive to my kids, make reservations and recommendations to help out the vacation I am very generous and follow up with letters to the GM and corporate Marriott,

I tend to see 'tip jars' consistently at certain properties. I always wonder what the tips are for.

Now I did buy the evening and morning attendants a Christmas Gift basket, but I had stayed there for 6 months. They knew way too much about my habits/needs/tendencies by then (especially since I'm a grab some drinks/snacks and head back to my room type).

The reason I was asking is because there is a Total box on the drink stub to fillout. When you are putting in the number of drinks they know the amount. Why have the box unless there is a need to add a tip? Similar to the Total line on most credit card receipts at restaurants.

:td: to the tip jar. I've yet to see that. I only tip if it's above and beyond, as others have stated. There are a couple properties I frequent that know my little wants and quirks and have all that ready. For the morning attendant; I give her a tip at the end of my stay. For the evening attendant, I usually tip her nightly (but she's also doing a lot more for me). There is a property we stay at 2-3 time a year with my daughter and they have known my daughter since she was born and go out of their way to make our stay extremely pleasant. They get tipped.

If I am eating on a breakfast coupon; I do tip.

[QUOTE=AZ_MISMAN;9731374]Agree. I was a regular at the Charlotte Marriott City Center, and Gary always treated me well, so I'd show my appreciation at the end of the week. =/QUOTE]

I LOVE the white mountains.

Just curious, how much of a tip do you think Gary's service was worth.

tipping
 

My rule of thumb in the lounge is that if they disregard the wine glass I bring in from by room in the lounge, they get a tip at the end of the week or mid week. In DC one property said it is OK to bring in your own wine and at another they said it is absolutely not. Oh well..... Being friendly and helpful can bring on a $5 tip as well!!

[QUOTE=Tomphot;9737580]I'll admit that I'm a cheapskate, but I wouldn't be surprised if I handed him a $20. I always made sure that, whatever I gave, it was accompanied with a handshake and words of sincere gratitude.

That annoys me tons too!!!

To me, that is "punishing" the staff for your displeasure with how management operates. That's akin to shooting the messenger. A smile and bit of personal attention earns my tip, regardless of how much or how little "food fetching" a server has to do. YMMV.

Isn't 10% the "guide" when self service?

The Renaissance Toronto Downtown has "gradituity included" on their buffet breakfast vouchers. I wonder how that's worked out... 10-15% of the bill paid to the staff?

Either way I always leave something.

I take a different view of the service industry.

I'll leave a buck or two for that guy/gal who tidies up the table, removes my plate or otherwise does something helpful/useful. Yeah it's their job, and that's what they're suppossed to do. But I've got working class roots which acknowledge effort, especially when it involves service folks who depend upon customer good will. Especially so given these tough times we all live in. That's just my own view of the world.

As to the tip jar. Sounds a bit tacky in any Marriott situation. I've not encountered this yet. Still, I suspect that it flows from the sour economy.

Barry

Personally I don't have a set rule to tip or not. It depends on where I am (therefore local custom; tipping could be an insult at some places) and the service quality.
I do concur the tip-dish is in poor dish. That said, workers in the CL at the Crystal Gateway Marriott use the tray for tip collection and soiled dishes. First thing in the morning for breakfast, I noticed several "single $ bills" on the tray. Subsequent visit to the CL saw the same thing. I suspect the workers might have planted them there to induce customer tipping. If I tip, I usually just leave money on the table, not to leave it at the tip-dish or a tray.

I never used to tip in the CL until I noticed a discussion about it on FT about 6 months ago. Since then, I sometimes tip if I get especially good service or at the end of a longer stay. For example, when I was traveling with my family, the CL attendant went out of her way to get a high chair delivered for our daughter very promptly and then asked how long we were staying so she could keep the chair in the CL for us. We were just on an overnight but it was a good thought never the less. I gave her a few dollar tip.

On business trips, I generally like to limit my spending to what I can expense (other than personal entertainment). Our corporate policy requires receipts for all expenses no matter how small. So CL tipping is a pain to get reimbursed and I generally don't do it since it most likely will just come out of my own pocket. Call me cheap if you like.

Finally, tipping in the CL (or in most places for that matter) should not be expected. It is something done in return for good customer service. I especially despise the profileration of tip jars on counters that have sprung up over the past few years. I don't like the sense of entitelement it converys. My two cents...

--Jon

I do still tip 20% when using breakfast vouchers at the restaurant (when club is closed)

I do not tip in clubs in the states for clearing plates.

I do tip when not in the states, such as Mexico - where they pour your coffee & are willing to answer questions or offer suggestions for restaurants or things to do/see. I have had the attendants make me bloody marys or mamossa's (sp) for breakfast gratis. $5/table went a long way there!

I do tip the club attendant for taking the time to print off my boarding passes for me, suggest a few restaurants, make a reservation etc. Recently the gentlemen in the club spent about 40m of his time assisting us with restaurant suggestions, even calling several restaurants to make a reservation, then printed off directions for us. I gave him $10.

I tend to tip in international locations as many have either free drinks or a cocktail hour where they take orders and serve you. When the staff remembers my drink the next day (Singapore, Bangkok, and some others) it really shows what service is about and always wants me to show thanks with a tip.

In the US -- sometimes out of pitty in a slow lounge where they have been friendly, or as others have said... provide some additional added value.

I would tend to leave more at breakfast than if just stopping in for an afternoon / evening snack since I make a bigger mess.

Apples to oranges.

McDs min wage = the fed min wage
Servers min wage = 50% of the fed min wage or less as they are expected to make tips.

I tip even on buffetts.