FlyerTalk Forums - Housekeeper Gratuities

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Quote:

Originally Posted by catonis (Post 11600529)

My problem with tipping is when it is on a pricey excursion. For example, we were just in Sedona and went on a jeep tour. The fee was $265 for 4 of us. One of the brochures recommended 15% gratuity for driver/guide. I find this offensive when the beginning price is so high. We tipped him $20, but I'd never want to give $40. Another time we went parasailing and paid $100 and saw "tips appreciated" all over the boat.

While I do not believe that the base price of an experience - whether a meal, hotel stay, fishing trip, etc., should govern, the above are services where the vendors should be paying its employees enough to live. They should not shift that burden to their customers, or, worse, create a situation where the employee is expose to non-payment of tips. The owner is the entrepreneur here, and its is their role to assume the attendant risks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yjc281 (Post 11595104)

There are exceptions. When I stay at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa hotel I always leave a tip because their housekeeping and Concierge staff always go the extra miles. They really do more than their jobs normally require and I would be embarassed if I don't tip them.

I agree - this is an pretty non-descript hotel more than a few miles away from where I have to be in PHX but they have gone out of their way each of the 3 times I've stayed there. I stay there once a year for two nights. I wish every Marriott had their attitude.

PS - I tip housekeeping, can't stand the fishing for tip jars everywhere else.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kymbakitty (Post 11602746)

Seems to me, for those that are in line with this way of thinking (above post), that, surely, they do not claim the per diem for breakfast if they get it for free!! Very honest folks out there...way to go!

I am not sure why this would be a problem, or what it has to do with honesty, since the GSA website very specifically states -

If my agency authorizes per diem reimbursement, will it reduce my M&IE allowance for a meal(s) provided by a common carrier or for a complimentary meal(s) provided by a hotel/motel? No. A meal provided by a common carrier or a. complimentary meal provided by a hotel/motel does not affect your per diem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLOIR (Post 11590881)

If you are a government worker, this is partially correct but not entirely. Each day's per diem includes $3 for incidentals, and according to the Federal Travel Regulation -

describes Incidental Expenses as: A. Fees and tips given to porters, baggage carriers, bellhops, hotel maids, stewards or stewardesses and others on ships, and hotel servants in foreign countries. B. Transportation between places of lodging or business and places where meals are taken, it suitable meals cannot be obtained at the temporary duty site. C. Mailing cost associated with filing travel vouchers and payment of Government charge card billings.

So that $3 has to cover a lot more then just the housekeeping tip, especially if you have to catch an airport shuttle to and from either the hotel or the car rental place.

This is a little off topic, but just as an FYI, if you are taking a hotel shuttle in lieu of a taxi, you can claim the tip as a transportation expense in the "other" column on your travel voucher (just as you would a tip to a taxi driver). It does not need to come out of your per diem money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yjc281 (Post 11595104)

No, I don't tip the doorman(unless he carries my luggage, that's an extra service) and I never use valet unless I am forced to. I hate hotels that force you to use valet and avoid staying in those hotels whenever possible. I make my own beds and decline housekeeping unless I am traveling with family.I don't know why I need new towels and new toiletries every day if I am traveling by myself. Hotels always tell you to "reuse your towels" to be "environment-friendly." So I always do it the "environment-fiendly" way and reuse the towels.
This week I have a lot of trash and I am going to bag and seal the trash before I leave. In my opinion, the hotels should pay their housekeeping workers adequately.

There are exceptions. When I stay at the Phoenix Marriott Mesa hotel I always leave a tip because their housekeeping and Concierge staff always go the extra miles. They really do more than their jobs normally require and I would be embarassed if I don't tip them.

I put the "privacy" sign on the door, make my own bed, and reuse the towels, up to a week. I have a CPAP machine and a laptop and I would prefer people other than me staying out of my room PERIOD when I'm there. When the hotel violates the privacy sign, I get very upset and usually have a word with the hotel manager.

Tip? Nope, sorry. I do not believe that because I make more money than someone that I should give it to them. To me, Robin Hood was nothing but a thief.

I was trying to make a point...

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLOIR (Post 11605331)

I was trying to make a point--but I don't think I worded it very well.

I was trying to say that you can't have it both ways, if that is in fact what they were saying to begin with.

I hear it all to often where I work as well....."I'm not going to tip because I only get "x" for incidentials." Meanwhile, they are pocketing the breakfast and sometimes dinner per diem because the hotel offers it for free. I'm just saying you can't complain about not being given enough per diem for incidentials (tips, etc.) and therefore, don't tip based on that theory, only to pocket the breakfast/dinner per diem when that is being provided for you. Trust me, no one I know forfeits their breakfast per diem or dinner per diem when it is provided for free!

Dawn