Tipping concierges
 

I have travelled to Asia the last couple of years. There, tipping was quite easy for me.
As tipping in the US, where I'm heading to this summer, is more 'complicated', I have some questions. Especially on tipping hotel staff (not restaurants or maids).
When you tip for instance the concierge, do you do that discretely (in the handshake or folded with your documents/passport) or just by hand for 'everyone' to see?
Also, when you ask the concierge to do something (confirm transport), do you tip right away to ensure good fulfilment of afterwards?

Tipping in the US is out of control. Only tip when you really feel compelled or someone actually has done something. Don't feel pressured to tip every little thing just because everyone asks for one.

might be some info in the foreign tipping guide sticky above.....

The concierge is the exception to the general tipping custom in the US. No need to tip for routine assisstance.

But, when the concierge lands you the tickets / table, etc. you wanted and haven't been able to locate, something decent is appropriate.

This is especially true if it's a property you routinely frequent and where you want a long-term relationship with the concierge so that you can call ahead and have them take care of things for you.

Would asking him/her to confirm transport fall under routine assistance? I'd have no problem to give some bucks for that if appropriate.

If it's just a normal taxi/bus/train... yes.

If it's a 5-page, 1000 mile, multi-day, itinerary across 3 different modes of transport... no.

There are two parts of the USA when it comes to tipping. There is NYC and there is everywhere else.

In NYC, you hand money to everyone within sight. In the rest of the country, it's much more rational.

But even in NYC, you wouldn't tip a concierge for something that doesn't require 'contacts.' The rule I follow is that there are no small concierge tips, the appropriate amount is either nothing (for almost everything, and certainly everything routine) or $20+ (for getting you something that you couldn't get on your own).

It does not need to be discreet, and it's quite normal. As mentioned above, only tip for above and beyond service, it's their job to be helpful.

Tipping concierges
 

I didn't expect this with the other common tipping practices in the US. Thanks for the info!

+1 - If it requires either a lot of time and sophisticated knowledge or it requires the use of a "chit" / contact by the concierge, it's worthy of a tip (a significant one as others point out).

The concierge can also be really helpful with in-house issues too. If you are a regular, keeping the concierge on your team can help with room assignments, keeping you away from touring rock bands and the like.

Tipping concierges
 

I often bring small thank you cards when I travel - if I feel it was above and beyond the norm then I write a short note and include a tip -

Agree...
 

...asking for a resto reservation, directions, advice on a musuem or outlining things on a map...no big deal no tip needed.
Getting Canadien's tickets for a sold out game, ya that's $20 (keep in mind they are already getting a premium on the tickets as you never get them at face value).

Concierges are salaried so a tip isn't needed unless they go above and beyond

The rule for concierges is that you tip them for something you couldn't have done yourself. For example, if they make a reservation at a restaurant, you don't need to tip them. But if they use their personal contacts and influence to get you a table at a sold-out restaurant, a tip is appropriate.

Same for transportation arrangements. No need to tip for routine assistance, but you can tip to take advantage of his/her connections.

And I agree that tipping in the US is getting out of control, with the list of people to be tipped constantly growing and the standard amounts increasing. Don't feel pressured to tip anyone, even if they passive-aggressively ask for it.

Well, there is Hawai`i as well, which is probably worse than NYC.

I agree with roknroll; it doesn't have to look like you're doing something illegal; you can tip in plain sight.