How Much to Tip Bellman
 

I just finished reading a web page on suggested tips, all of which seemed OK to me excepot for hotel bellmen. It recommended a $10 tip for taking you and your bags to your room. This seems exhorbitant. I've been tipping $1 a bag, with a $2 minimum. Am I way off base??

I always smile and tell them that "If I can schlepp all this stuff from Anchorage to D.C. on my own, I can surely manage the last few feet to my room as well".

A good (for lack of a better word) servant, should be available for assistance when one needs it, but not pushy when one is fine on one's own. I resent hotel staff grabbing my bags out of my hands and simply won't relinquish them.

I am an old woman and perfectly capable of determining when I need help quite well enough on my own. Thank you very much! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

JIMCHI:
I follow exactly the same amounts as you do. I think its perfectly appropriate, unless I have very heavy boxes.In the past I've travelled on business with about 10 boxes filled with literature and routinely tip $20.
I think its sufficient, unless I've monopolized the Bellman's time exhorbitantly.

like Punki, when by myself I usually carry my own bags.

When my wife & I are together on a trip, or on vacation with a week's worth of bags, if I use the bellman I usually give them at least $5, sometimes $10. Really depends on the hotel, service, etc.

JIMCHI: All my bags are on wheels, so unless I have three, I carry them in myself like Punki and Shadow. In situations where I have more bags or I want to treat myself, I tip exactly as you do.

Punki:

My mom was in San Diego for a conference with a friend (another woman - probably making them a "mark"). When arriving, the bellman grabbed their bags from their hands.

My mom thanked him, but said they didn't need any assistance. He insisted.

My mom then firmly told him they preferred the carry their own bags. He still resisted.

Finally she threatened to call the police. At check-in, she complained to the manager and got a room upgrade for her trouble.


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."


[This message has been edited by Jon Toner (edited 09-03-1999).]

Except for a monthlong trip to Europe, I never travel with more than a rollaboard and a small, chic daypack. But still I've had bellhops at the hotel where I merely wait to catch the airport shuttle try and take my bags to the bus without asking. I tell them politely but firmly that I can manage. A few of them try to ignore it, which is a bad move. <g> I just grab them by the forearm and say - with a smile - "no thank you." They are stunned when I do that.

Congratulations to all of you who can travel with nothing but a carryon bag. My wife's shoes alone would fill one of those bags! I'm more interested in hearing from those who have to check one or two 29" standard bags and tip a bellman to bring them to your room. Is a dollar a bag ridiculous and should I be handing over $5 and $10 biils for such a service??

$2 is plenty. $10? Think about that. At $10 per room, bellmen could easily earn $50 an hour!!! Of course if the bellman has his MBA, then maybe he's worth the $10...

Unless a bellman has provided wonderful service, he is only receiving $1-2 from this cheap ........ $10 for a few bags is a great amount of money, considering desk clerks are lucky to earn $8/hr.

Maybe the website you were at was quoting rates in a foreign currency.

In case anyone is interested, here is the url to the page on tipping: http://www.tipping.org/tipping/tipping.html

I just noticed the same tipping web site also recommends $5 a night for the maid !! I leave $1 per person per night or $5 per night total if a suite.

I think that web site was created by hotel employees !!!

my standard for maids is 1.50/night, rounded up usually. I'm always asking for extra coffee, towels, etc., so they seem to remember me. I just left $5 for a 3 night stay at Hilton, $10 for 6 nights at Sheraton.

[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 09-03-1999).]

I agree with the general consensus -- $1 per bag, unless something out of the ordinary.

But it depends on where you are. I tipped a porter 50 Rupees in Bombay/Mumbai. What a mistake! I had then entire hotel staff following me around for 2 weeks. It was fun at first, but after a while, it became a nuisance.

Regards,

Ken Hamer

In response to multi-night stays, Do the same maids always clean the same rooms? Is it better to leave a little bit each time or all at once?

milesandpoints, I prefer to leave a gratuity each morning I am a hotel/motel guest, for several reasons. [*]The person actually servicing the room, receives the gratuity. (Days off, staff rotation and room assignment changes, do occur).[*]The service usually seems somewhat better.[*]They would prefer it that way.

[This message has been edited by MRLIMO (edited 09-06-1999).]