Tipping at US airports.
 

US tipping etiquette recently made news here in Australia highlighting the fact that even in today's globalised world, slow news days still come around every now and again. It seems newly US-based Australian Rove McManus has had a tough time figuring out the ins and outs of tipping in the US.

Now while im comfortable with dining and other service interactions where i might be required to tip, im not so strong on the topic when it relates to air travel, which leads me to pose the following slightly embarrassing questions to you all:

1. If using kerbside checkin for a flight, am i required to tip the guy (or gal) who checks me in? If so, how much? Is there any way around this, or do some airlines only employ kerbside checkin?

2. Under what other circumstances, if any, would i be required to tip someone while travelling by air?

Thanks,
afterDawn

Tipping was definitely customary for curbside check in to the tune of about $2 per bag. Now many airlines have instituted curbside check in fees so that has many people confused. With many airlines you are still supposed to tip $2 per bag, but I believe I say a sign at the US Airways curbside check in at CLT that said tipping was not allowed. In absence of a sign like that I'd tip or take my bags inside and check them.

You should tip airport restaurants the same as any other restaurant in the US (nothing for counter service, 15-20% for table service).

Airline personnel (aside from curbside agents) are not allowed to receive tips so don't tip the flight attendant.

No
Never

I have been to the US twice and didn't tip outside of restaurants - not because I wanted to be mean but because I just didn't identify an opportunity where it seemed to be appropriate or expected.

Generally airline staff are not allowed to accept tips, so you don´t need to worry about this.

Unfortunately there´s always an exception: Lounges

- most lounges in the US don´t offer comp. alcoholic beverages, on top of paying for your drink (cash or drink chit) bartenders will often expect a $1 tip
- some lounges have shower facilities and the "housekeeping"/cleaning staff tend to very much appreciate a tip (very poorly paid staff), some people will also pay a "tip" to avoid having to wait to use the showers

Apart from that I think the only occasion where tips are generally expected is when you need wheelchair assistance and the staff helps you with collecting your luggage, carrying it around etc.

Porters/Sky Caps expect tips for helping with luggage.
Bars/restaurants - tip the same as outside the airport.
Lounge bars - In lounges where drinks are free, but not self-serve, read this thread. In a nutshell, some people do, others don't.

You are never required to tip, except in restraunts where it states that 18% will be added to parties of x number or more on the menu.

Tipping is gratuity, and done when you are satisfied or impressed with the performance of a service. If you are not, you do not have to do it..there are certainly no laws requiring it.

It is rare, but I do not tip if I find the service to be outrageously horrible..usually in a restraunt. I can count the number of times I have refused to tip on one hand.

For things like shuttle drivers, I will not tip if they do not provide the service I usually get from the same company..say taking my luggage for me and putting it curbside. Driver A did it on the outbound, Driver B did NOT do it on the inbound...that kind of thing.

Furthermore, the size of the tip increases with extra-service or good conversation etc. For OK service I tip the standard 20%..for better service I give more.

But you never, ever HAVE to.

Actually even in this case, if the service is horrible, you can refuse to pay the tip. Most restaurants will waive in the case of really poor service

Call me cheap but I still consider 15% to be the norm. I will then adjust up and down that percentage based on service. Takes a lot more for me to adjust downwards rather than upwards.

In general, you are NEVER required to tip in the US and if anyone in a service position ever tries to tells you that I feel that they should automatically lose the tip.

Yes - Check in at the airline counter inside the terminal.

I've never used curbside checkin in my life.

If you were to eat in an airport restaurant with table service or sit at an airport bar there'd be an expection of a tip. If you were to use the porter service at the baggage carousel there'd be an expectation of a tip to the porter.

Other than that, no...?

The only times I have ever tipped at the airport were at various skycap outlets across the US (before online check-in was invented), and back in April in one of the JFK DL SkyClub's, because I was trying to unload some singles, and gave the bartenders one dollar each.

Sorry to say, but otherwise, I can't see the need in tipping anyone else at an airport, unless you stop at a wait-service restaurant, where it is always customary to tip the waiter/waitress in the US.

Also...rental car and hotel shuttles should be excluded (IMHO) from tipping, just because its an advertised service, and its not like they run the shuttles every two minutes.

Wheelchair assist
 

There are two senarios.

1) Where I am pushed in a chair by an individual. My tip is ready and automatic. $5-$10 depending on exertion. (I am also fat).

2) Electric cart service presents a tip problem. When I first needed the service I would offer and almost unanimously, at any airport offering the service, have the driver refuse the tip. Now I do not even attempt the offer for an electric cart driver.

ralph

I have to say I find it appalling that you should have to pay for wheelchair assistance. Ryanair tried charging for wheelchair assistance and were told that this breached disability discrimination legislation.

I've used the wheelchair service several times when I've been on crutches. The service itself is free. I generally do tip the person pushing me. The amount varies on how much luggage I have, if I keep the luggage on my lap or they pull it, how far we go, etc.

Nothing in that post indicates to me a requirement to pay for wheelchair service. The poster is merely speaking of tipping the person who pushes the chair or drives the cart. There is a big difference between paying a fee and paying a tip.

I'd probably also add drivers - such as rental car bus drivers if they help with luggage or hotel shuttle drivers dropping you at the airport or your hotel.

timboy219's post says they should be excluded, so this is a case where there is some grey area and its up to your discretion.

Really?