Should I tip the maid? [Merged threads]
Jun 28, 2010, 12:22 am
#661
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: MKE
Programs: American AAdvantage; Carlson Goldpoints.
Posts: 180
Do I tip the maid?
Always. Each day. $4.00. In the form of two $1.00 bills, and a $2.00 bill. (Yes, that means that I have to remember to stock up on the 2's before traveling.) And always with a hand-written "Thank You!!" on some kind of paper...usually a page from the scratch pad left by the phone.
Result: Excellent service. Never a problem with pilfering. I don't collect extra toiletries, but I do like to take the cheap stick pens. I haven't had to buy one in *years*.
And, since the $1-$1-$2 bill pattern is unusual, the maids often remember me the *next* time I check into the same hotel.
I can't think of an easier way to promote human dignity of a working-class person while getting great benefits for myself.
Always. Each day. $4.00. In the form of two $1.00 bills, and a $2.00 bill. (Yes, that means that I have to remember to stock up on the 2's before traveling.) And always with a hand-written "Thank You!!" on some kind of paper...usually a page from the scratch pad left by the phone.
Result: Excellent service. Never a problem with pilfering. I don't collect extra toiletries, but I do like to take the cheap stick pens. I haven't had to buy one in *years*.
And, since the $1-$1-$2 bill pattern is unusual, the maids often remember me the *next* time I check into the same hotel.
I can't think of an easier way to promote human dignity of a working-class person while getting great benefits for myself.
Jun 28, 2010, 4:52 am
#662
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Phila Delta ex-PM, ex-UA-PE
Posts: 2,659
Jun 29, 2010, 9:45 am
#663
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,929
I've never had a problem with pilfering, or service quality, and I always take certain toiletries and sometimes take pens. I have never left a tip for a housekeeper in my life. I fail to see how your "prevention" method results in "great benefits" any better than my method of doing absolutely nothing.
Jun 29, 2010, 11:35 am
#664
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,098
I will not tip for a service I don't use, and I will not tip for a place that annoyed me...stop leaving messages and slipping me notes, take care of the mold in the bathroom and the running toilet, and I will consider tipping..otherwise, nothing. Well, perhaps the pennies I have in my pocket.
Jun 29, 2010, 7:57 pm
#666
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I tip for unusual service. I usually keep a canned Diet Coke in the ice bucket in hotels that do not have a fridge. In one hotel, every day the ice bucket would have fresh ice when I got in in the afternoon. This was very thoughtful and got a good tip, $20 for the three night stay with a note "Thanks for the ice."
On the other hand, I have to elevate my feet in the evening. This may necessitate moving furniture around to make a footstool of a side chair or low table. If these get moved back every night so that I have to reset the room when I get in, it is not appreciated. May be SOP, it is still bothersome. If they leave them alone, they get a tip.
On the other hand, I have to elevate my feet in the evening. This may necessitate moving furniture around to make a footstool of a side chair or low table. If these get moved back every night so that I have to reset the room when I get in, it is not appreciated. May be SOP, it is still bothersome. If they leave them alone, they get a tip.
Jun 29, 2010, 8:14 pm
#667
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: GNV which is not where we would like to be :)
Programs: ABP, Mr. Mom without the kids, Signor Mucci, DL PM, HH & Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 4,526
Have you ever worked in the service industry or in a customer service facing position?
My military and civilian bosses had no problem with approving a daily housekeeping tip. There were many instances where the welcome gift or more appeared daily.
+1
+1 ^
I don't tip when travelining on biz and I don't approve expense reports from my direct reports for maid tips either.
Too many times are in late at night/out the next day. I expect the room to be clean -- and that's the job of the maid, for which the hotel is paying them.
If I'm on vacation and making a huge mess of the room ... I tip if staying mulitple days.
Too many times are in late at night/out the next day. I expect the room to be clean -- and that's the job of the maid, for which the hotel is paying them.
If I'm on vacation and making a huge mess of the room ... I tip if staying mulitple days.
I think it's more important to tip when on a business trip. If you're just one person there, they probably won't know what company you're with (depending on the trash you leave behind). But if it's part of a conference, they'll know and that will reflect poorly on your employer.
I've never been challeneged on tips I've left for restaurants/cabbies/housekeeping. My employer encourages us to do this (as long as it's reasonable).
I've never been challeneged on tips I've left for restaurants/cabbies/housekeeping. My employer encourages us to do this (as long as it's reasonable).
Jul 1, 2010, 12:07 pm
#668
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,638