Are coins on the desk a "tip?"
Jun 27, 2006 | 12:57 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Work/Melbourne Victoria - Home/McKinney, TX (Dallas)
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Posts: 342
Originally Posted by AASyndicate
I usually take the notepad, write a quick "Thank You" note on it, and insert the cash in between the pages. I then leave the notepad on the corner of the bed where it will be seen.
Yep that works for me too - I try to do it daily on my short 2-3 day trips... and when I'm booked for 30+ days in a hotel - I make a note to learn who my maids are and leave the $35 a week in an envelope at the Front Desk.
Jun 27, 2006 | 6:23 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
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Posts: 13,498
Originally Posted by swag
I'd suggest moving this to TravelBuzz, as it's not at all Marriott specific.
Bruce
Marriott Moderator
Jun 27, 2006 | 8:45 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: YYC
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 1,410
I'm with the group who doesn't take a chance. I leave my tip for the maids on top of the pillow and put my change in a pocket in my bag.
I don't leave anything in the open of any value, not that they couldn't look through my stuff.
I don't leave anything in the open of any value, not that they couldn't look through my stuff.
Jun 27, 2006 | 9:18 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I've had instances where I've left a tip on the night stand and it was not taken. I thought housekeeping forgot but the next day same thing so I leave it on the bed now and it is always taken (or goes with the sheets to the laundry 
).
).
Jun 27, 2006 | 10:19 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: MCI ** UA Silver, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,297
Originally Posted by The Winger
I'm with the group who doesn't take a chance. I leave my tip for the maids on top of the pillow and put my change in a pocket in my bag.
I don't leave anything in the open of any value, not that they couldn't look through my stuff.
I don't leave anything in the open of any value, not that they couldn't look through my stuff.
Jun 27, 2006 | 11:17 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: ABQ
Programs: SPEBSQSA
Posts: 3,795
I generally leave my change in the desk drawer with miscellaneous other things. Don't usually have much as I use my CC for most transactions.
However, I once put my keys (home/car) in a glass on the desk. Don't need them as I'm in a rental car and 2000 miles from home
. When I returned, I found housekeeping had thrown them away! Luckily, I had shuttled to the airport, so I didn't need my car to get home (and the Mrs. was there to let me in.)
However, I once put my keys (home/car) in a glass on the desk. Don't need them as I'm in a rental car and 2000 miles from home
. When I returned, I found housekeeping had thrown them away! Luckily, I had shuttled to the airport, so I didn't need my car to get home (and the Mrs. was there to let me in.)
Jun 27, 2006 | 11:43 am
#22
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LAX-TPE-LAX
Programs: No more status...just doing my best in burning my points/miles.
Posts: 2,021
I've actually had maids STACK my change that I left on a table. (and fold the clothes that were there too). I was so impressed that I left a 5 buck tip above what I normally do.
Jun 27, 2006 | 11:48 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 2,080
Originally Posted by flyingbrick
I guess I'm the only one who thinks its disgusting you put coins in the drinking glasses...
Jun 27, 2006 | 11:54 am
#24
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
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I always leave something on the pillow. No ambiguity....its definitely a tip. I've never had a single instance where it wasn't taken. I generally leave a buck or two (or equivilent) daily. More if we're a large party, etc.
Jun 27, 2006 | 12:48 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Maine
Programs: UA 1P, SPG Gold, Marriott, HH Silver
Posts: 48
I use the glass as well but also throw in misc receipts so that it is obvious that it is not a tip. Never had an issue.
I generally leave the change at the end of a stay, but if not, I have often thought that charities should have a donation box just before TSA so I can avail myself of loose change instead of dumping it into my bag. I would drop my change each time just to avoid the hassle.
I generally leave the change at the end of a stay, but if not, I have often thought that charities should have a donation box just before TSA so I can avail myself of loose change instead of dumping it into my bag. I would drop my change each time just to avoid the hassle.
Jun 27, 2006 | 1:35 pm
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
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I always leave a daily tip on the desk with a Thank You note addressed to Housekeeping. I may have change on a desk just inches away from the note with the tip and it has never been touched, but the tip and the note are always gone.
I do leave tips daily as the maids do change, so leaving one big one at the end of the stay, may end up in the pocket of the maid that was just lucky to be assigned to the room on the last day, and not the one(s) that actually worked the room during the stay.
I do leave tips daily as the maids do change, so leaving one big one at the end of the stay, may end up in the pocket of the maid that was just lucky to be assigned to the room on the last day, and not the one(s) that actually worked the room during the stay.
Jun 28, 2006 | 12:51 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Sunshine State - Delta GM/Marriott platinum
Posts: 103
This is a little off topic, but...
I haven't had any problems with tips in the past, but I did have a watch disappear on me a week and a half ago at a Courtyard. I reported the missing watch to loss prevention (which never followed up with me), and I am 99 percent positive I never moved it, but I of course can't prove it. I remember leaving it in my open toiletries bag on top of the sink.
The problem is, it's been over a week since this happened and I got busy and forgot to pursue it. The watch is about a $100 brand new, but that's not really relevant I guess. What what you guys do? Call and make a fuss at this point, or write it off as a lost cause? I do have the name of the security person I spoke with, FWIW.
I haven't had any problems with tips in the past, but I did have a watch disappear on me a week and a half ago at a Courtyard. I reported the missing watch to loss prevention (which never followed up with me), and I am 99 percent positive I never moved it, but I of course can't prove it. I remember leaving it in my open toiletries bag on top of the sink.
The problem is, it's been over a week since this happened and I got busy and forgot to pursue it. The watch is about a $100 brand new, but that's not really relevant I guess. What what you guys do? Call and make a fuss at this point, or write it off as a lost cause? I do have the name of the security person I spoke with, FWIW.
Jul 1, 2006 | 5:53 am
#29
Moderator: Mileage Run, InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,431
At times I would be glad if someone were to take care of my coins, but most of the time I have no idea how much change I left in the room anyway. The only time I noticed theft, and got upset about it, was in 2000, when a Romanian maid kept replacing the 5 Mark coins I had left in an ashtray with 100 Lei coins. A very favorable exchange for her, about 1:100, and since the coins are identcial in size, I usually wouldn't notice until I'd try to pay with my bum coins in Germany.