How much to tip?
Dec 31, 2006 | 12:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Daejeon, Korea
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Posts: 384
How much to tip?
When in NY and DC, how much do I need to tip service staff? Is it just the amount of the sales tax, or do I just do a flat rate of 10/15/20% exclusive of tax?
Also, who do I need to tip? Wait staff with poor service? Cab drivers? Shuttle drivers? In a hotel do I need to tip anyone other than the doorman/bellboy?
Thanks for your help.
Also, who do I need to tip? Wait staff with poor service? Cab drivers? Shuttle drivers? In a hotel do I need to tip anyone other than the doorman/bellboy?
Thanks for your help.
Dec 31, 2006 | 5:04 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: EBG (SK*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 92
Depending on the service you recieve, I would say around 10-15%, of the flat rate. You tip cab drivers around 10%, and I personally don't tip anyone else but the doorman and bellboy in a hotel. Shuttle drivers I don't know, I think it's your own choice, but I personally wouldn't tip a shuttle driver.
Dec 31, 2006 | 6:49 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 632
I'll give the shuttle driver $2 if (s)he helps me with my bags.
Taxi, around 15%.
I don't tend to "use" the services of the doorman, and I carry my own bags to my room, so no tipping there.
Room service in most places already includes a 15 to 18% service charge. I don't tip on top of that. Be aware that there is often a tip line on the charge slip-don't let that fool you, check to see if there was a fee already.
I do leave the maid a few dollars as well.
Taxi, around 15%.
I don't tend to "use" the services of the doorman, and I carry my own bags to my room, so no tipping there.
Room service in most places already includes a 15 to 18% service charge. I don't tip on top of that. Be aware that there is often a tip line on the charge slip-don't let that fool you, check to see if there was a fee already.
I do leave the maid a few dollars as well.
Dec 31, 2006 | 7:00 am
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bos
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Posts: 438
I always tip the shuttle driver $1 or $2, depends on how many bags I have. Wait staff with poor service will not get any tip from me, that blows away the purpose of a tip, but I will let them know about the poor service and why I won't leave any tip. Trina says she tips $15 for the taxi, I never tiped that much for a taxi, my usual taxi tip is from $2 to $5 tops. And I'll leave a couple of $ per day for housekeeping.
Dec 31, 2006 | 7:19 am
#5
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Join Date: May 2001
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Sales tax is just over 8%, so doubling the tax is an easy way to approximate 15% for those who have trouble with math.
Standard for cabs is 15%, not $15.
For restaurants, 15% is really the minimum of the service was acceptable; I think 20% is moving towards becoming the norm.
Personally, I'll only tip the hotel doorman if so extra effort is required (like spending a few minutes trying to attract a cab during a rainy rush hour).
Of course, Flyertalk has 125,000 members and probably at least that many different opinions on the topic.
Standard for cabs is 15%, not $15.
For restaurants, 15% is really the minimum of the service was acceptable; I think 20% is moving towards becoming the norm.
Personally, I'll only tip the hotel doorman if so extra effort is required (like spending a few minutes trying to attract a cab during a rainy rush hour).
Of course, Flyertalk has 125,000 members and probably at least that many different opinions on the topic.