How much to tip for Valet Parking
Jan 11, 2007 | 9:21 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: MSN
Programs: AA ExPlat, 1MM; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 226
Nothing on drop-off, $5 on pick-up.
But I drive a Solara, nothing fancy. Betcha the amount of tip is directly correlated to the "fanciness" of the car...will be interesting to see.
But I drive a Solara, nothing fancy. Betcha the amount of tip is directly correlated to the "fanciness" of the car...will be interesting to see.
Jan 11, 2007 | 10:41 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: various
Posts: 4,240
You should see the valet stories that get posted on car related forums...
Don't valet park a car that will tempt joy riders (e.g. sports cars or high end luxury cars; even cars with manual transmissions may be used to learn by the valets).
Don't valet park a car that will tempt thieves (the valets may leave the car unlocked with the key in it).
Don't leave anything in the valet parked car that will tempt thieves. (Some cars have a valet key that won't open the trunk, but you still have to make sure that other access to the trunk such as fold down rear seats or inside trunk releases cannot be opened.)
Don't valet park a car that will tempt joy riders (e.g. sports cars or high end luxury cars; even cars with manual transmissions may be used to learn by the valets).
Don't valet park a car that will tempt thieves (the valets may leave the car unlocked with the key in it).
Don't leave anything in the valet parked car that will tempt thieves. (Some cars have a valet key that won't open the trunk, but you still have to make sure that other access to the trunk such as fold down rear seats or inside trunk releases cannot be opened.)
Jan 11, 2007 | 11:24 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,779
Valet parking seems so strange to those of us from Europe, where none of us would ever let anyone else get their hands on our car. Any restaurant trying to do this would lose their customers straight away.
I particularly dislike cases where it is actually easier for me to park in the parking lot than go through the valet hoopla. Why have to pay extra for something less convenient ?
I particularly dislike cases where it is actually easier for me to park in the parking lot than go through the valet hoopla. Why have to pay extra for something less convenient ?
Jan 11, 2007 | 12:15 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 19,260
Hi,
At the Casinos in Las Vegas where Valets can save a long walk from the main car park we tip $2-$3 when we pick the car up.
Regards
TBS
At the Casinos in Las Vegas where Valets can save a long walk from the main car park we tip $2-$3 when we pick the car up.
Regards
TBS
Jan 11, 2007 | 12:53 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: California
Programs: various
Posts: 4,240
I don't like valet parking either -- too much chance for theft, joyriding, etc.. Although it can be necessary if there is not enough parking so that the cars must be parked in a way that "buries" some cars (so that the "outer" cars need to be moved to allow the "inner" cars to escape).
Jan 11, 2007 | 1:08 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Detroit
Programs: Northwest Platinum
Posts: 1,533
I don't LIKE to valet, but at the airport I will valet if I have to, and I will valet at restaurants. I drive a lexus and an infiniti and my wife drives a toyota so nothing too fancy.
Three days ago I valeted my car in detroit, and I will admit I was a little nervous. It was right ouside the convention center though, and the main parking area was closed, so I had no choice.
Also, it is generally my policy that when valet parking is not complimentary, then no tip. Maybe I'm stingy, but why should I have to tip for parking that costs $15-40?
Three days ago I valeted my car in detroit, and I will admit I was a little nervous. It was right ouside the convention center though, and the main parking area was closed, so I had no choice.
Also, it is generally my policy that when valet parking is not complimentary, then no tip. Maybe I'm stingy, but why should I have to tip for parking that costs $15-40?
Jan 12, 2007 | 8:26 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: South
Posts: 997
As for the amount it depends on a few factors.
If it's a Friday night and I know when I get the car at 2:00 in the morning there will be 30 others in front of me, I'll gve the valet $20 to park in front. $20 is worth not waiting 30 minutes for my car at the end of the night. Upon pickup $2 usually, $5 if all I have is $5s.
In the summer I usually tip $5...anyone who has to run to get my car in 115 weather deserves it.
Jan 13, 2007 | 3:50 am
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CGK & PBI
Programs: Cruise addict and AirBNB Plat :)
Posts: 3,320
Jan 13, 2007 | 7:21 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
Zero tip on drop-off and exactly $1 on pick-up has always gotten my car back safe-n-sound. They make it up in volume. They get an extra $2 if they carefully put my luggage in the trunk.
MisterNice
MisterNice
Jan 13, 2007 | 7:28 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PBI
Programs: DL 2.8 MM/PM, AA MM/GLD, Marriott LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,823
$0 at drop-off and $2-5 on pickup -- depending on how long I have to wait for the car.
When flying in/out of FLL, I use the valet service there and usually tip $5 on pickup, because they stow my luggage in the trunk and give me a bottle of cold water for the drive home.
It does happen...
And when you see the valet joyriding in your car, cruising through CityPlace with the top down, calling out and waving to his friends, the tip = 0.
When flying in/out of FLL, I use the valet service there and usually tip $5 on pickup, because they stow my luggage in the trunk and give me a bottle of cold water for the drive home.
And when you see the valet joyriding in your car, cruising through CityPlace with the top down, calling out and waving to his friends, the tip = 0.