I just got back from STL-ORD-PHL today. During the trip, I had so many occassions to tip people. They were:
1. Rental car van driver: one of my fellow passengers tipped the driver simply for driving
2. Checking bags curbside---another tipping opportunity
3. Starbucks: A box was set out to give tips to the workers
4. RCC: I got a drink at the bar---another tipping opportunity
5. Taxi ride home---another tip to the driver

The question I have is do you tip in all of these situations? I also had fantatic service from the PHL-ORD FA in first class. If I were to continue to the tipping culture of the airport, it would only seem right to tip the FA's.

Do you tip in all of these situations? How much do you factor into your trip expenses for tipping? Would you ever tip the FA?

Hmmm...this is 50% UA forum, 50% OMNI.

To answer the UA portion, it does feel odd purchasing a beer inflight and handing ONLY the 1K drink cert...but I do believe FAs cannot accept gratuities.

I do tip at the RCC, btw.

Looks more like 80% omni, 20% UA.

RCC and curbside check in for me too.

Rental van: no.

Checking bags curbside: Yes, $5/bag. I want the bags to actually arrive!

Starbucks: leave any coins left over, at most That coffee is expensive enough.

RCC: a dollar for first soda. Usually a dollar tip for drinks, chit or not.

Taxi: 10-20% usually to round up to the nearest $10.

I'd add I tip plenty in restaurants if the service is decent or good, up to 20% or more.

BUT: I much prefer Japan and China: no tipping at all.

And last: FAs: never in a million years, but would possibly consider a chocolate gift from duty free in a truly exceptional circumstance. Certainly I compliment exceptional FAs copiously and use GTEMs when I remember to carry them.

I have a hard time tipping at the RCC's ... because I don't tip the guy at McDonalds when they pour me a soda, and it's about as difficult at the RCC to get a beer as it is at McDonalds.

p.s. you know the difference between Australians and kayaks, don't you? Kayaks sometimes tip!

Would you ever tip the FA?

Never with money (but with swiss chocolates ...).

At the FT-D�sseldorf-Do#1 FlyerTalkers (in UA first class coming from IAD) did invite 2 FA to the dinner on arrival night: they showed up and we all had a blast then together.

I always tip the pilot and first officer a hundred dollars each. A bit less if I had to sit in Business instead of First....

F/As aren't waiters/waitresses or bartenders (i'm not going to get into a battle about this) serving you with a smile and good attitude is only part of the job, yes a box of chocolates or candy is also a nice gesture but giving money is like tipping the security guard each time you leave the building, just stupid.

On UA? Could have fooled me!

That's it? No wonder you're stuck in biz a lot.

I would never tip the rental car bus driver, I have seen other people do it and it seems silly.

On the same token I never would tip the driver to the parking lot either at my home airport, which I have also seen people do.

No. In a rare occasion where I have lots of bags, especially if I also have infants, car seats, strollers, etc., and they're really helpful. Usually I keep my bags myself and do not tip.
I tip the people who work at my local, independent coffee places, who not only make way better espresso and foam than anyone at any Starbucks in the world, but also chat with me and my wife, know what we drink, etc. I never tip at Starbucks when out on the road.
I actually do tip all bartenders, not sure why, it suddenly seems like it belongs in the "what stupid things have you done" thread.
Always some, like a waiter/waitress, my understanding is it's an essential part of their compensation. How much depends on the driving and the atmosphere in the taxi.

It's probably right to tip them when they successfully evacuate you from a burning airplane. You can also give them GTEM's, if you're not into the bribe, errrrr, gift culture.

One thing I never used to do, but always do now, is tip maids. That's a nasty job and those people make squat, and I think it's good for the economy for them to have a few more dollars that frankly my company or I really won't miss. Our travel policy explicitly allows tipping maids up to some reasonable level, and I support that completely.

I don't know why people (mostly Americans I suspect) feel compelled to tip. I've seen many shuttles that have a "we cannot accept tips", but just as many that say "gratuities are appreciated".

Hmmm, looks like 0% UA, 0% OMNI and 100% TravelBuzz! to me...

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA