Tipping Limo Drivers
 

I always use towncar sedans with driver to and from the airport. My current rate is $60 each way including tax and built-in gratuity. Even though the tip is included in the rate, most people who use the service give the drivers a little extra. If I were to give extra, what do you think is an appropriate amount to give?

Question #2: I'm going to be using a towncar and driver for two days, 12 hours each day. The fee the company is charging me per day is $600, tip not included. How much would you tip the driver per day if he does an extremely good job?

Using these limo services may seem like an extravagance to many, but they have actually saved me money and often know more about their cities then the hotel concierge, amazing how much you can learn from airport to hotel.

We also use the town cars with the built-in tip. They won't accept any further gratuity, which, I must say I like it that way.

If we were going to tip, we always tip 20%. Twelve hours a day is a lot of driving and waiting around for the poor driver. Hopefully you can write it off on your expense report.

Goodness gracious, I hope you don't tip on a $600/day limo.

Shoot, I would be happy to drive you around all day long, 365 days a year, at the rate of $219,000 a year. I'll give YOU a tip! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

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"It's as easy as 1, 2, C" -- Kelly, Married With Children

I would say that 20 % is fair for the 2 day event. After all, it is a job that has both boredom and high stress moments. For the single trips where a tip is already included, I would say another $5 is plenty.

My job occasionally features boredom.
My job occasionally features high-stress events.

These things are unrelated to whether or not you should tip.

That said, our societal custom is to tip cabbies and limo drivers, so I'd probably kick the guy 15% or so. If he was good.

Our limo company adds in 18% gratuity, so actually our driver loses 2% of what he would have gotten had we had the choice to tip on our own. A 120.00 tip for 24 hours worth of work is not above and beyond. I feel that it's fair.

If you or your company can afford to hire a driver, then of course you can afford the tip. For someone who hires a driver this must be mere chump change! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

SVENSKAFLICKA, in one post you say you'd tip 20%. 20% of $600 is $120. In another post you say $120 tip for up to 24 hours work, so what are you saying, tip 10% each 12 hour day?

By the way, for those of you who say don't tip because the charge is already $600, the driver sees hardly any of that money.

I've heard people say that the people who can afford it least tip most, and those who can afford it most tip least. Not sure if this is true or not.

I regulary use a company in HPN when visiting some family there (they arrange it) and I wish the company was more like the one you describe above.

The drivers usually expect a tip, even though it is already included, and the rate is absolutely extortinate.

I used it for the last time weekend, am completely fed up with them, and have decided to rent a car from now on. renting a car for a whole weekend is roughly the same price those j*rks charge for a 20 minute one way ride. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/mad.gif

$10

$120-$150

Thank you for asking bluewatersail. Your concern and consideration I'm sure will be greatly appreciated.

True.

Often true.

(My comments are based on twenty-two years in the business).

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It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

What's the definition of good? A driver that talks a lot, or doesn't beat up the car, or ?

To your point. Our society seems to figure that if he gets you from point A to point B, he's average, and should get 15%. If he's a jerk less, if he's very helpful more.

This massive tipping is getting ridiculous. 15% for good service is for a restaurant. Why should that 15% figure carry over to other industries?

15% of a $9 taxicab fare is one thing. Tipping 15% on a $600 limo fare is just stupid, IMHO.

If you're paying $600 a day for a limo, the driver should be decently compensated by the company. Good grief, what are they spending $500 a day on? It can't be the vehicle itself, unless it's made out of solid gold.

It makes no sense to blindly apply a 15% figure. If I go to Waffle House and order a waffle and nothing else (not to go, but in the diner), should I tip 33 cents? After all, that is 15% of the price, rounded up to the nearest penny.

If I go to a restaurant and order $1000 worth of food and wine for two people -- myself and Mr. Hungry Drunkard -- should I tip $150? What am I getting for my $150 when the couple next to me will tip $144 less on their $40 tab?

How about a $200,000 house that a real estate agent finds for you the second it hits the market? Is a $30,000 tip in order?

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"It's as easy as 1, 2, C" -- Kelly, Married With Children

Tipping a limo driver
 

Look, if you have the funds to be in a limo, tip the guy
If you don't like that, take a taxi, because you probably don't belong in a limo/black car anyway.

If the car is paid for by the company, tip the driver, don't be a cheap skate!
If you order the car yourself, tip is usually included.

I found in my experience, tipping the driver up front (meaning right when you get in) you will receive MUCH better service!!!! If you use a limo service regularly, by all means TIP!!! Remember, the guy in front CAN make you miss your flight, or meeting!!! Just remember, like in a restaurant, if you don't tip your waitress, and you go there often, your food is going to take awhile to get to you!!!

Short distance $10, medium distance $20. Long distance varies from $40 to $100.

Like I said if you complain about such a small amount, then you probably don't belong in a limo/black car.

For the first time in 11 years this thread received a new post. I suggest that the one who revived this moribund thread start a new thread on the topic of tipping limo drivers as much of the information on this thread may be outdated.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator