Room Service tips on top of tips
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,716
"Anyway, my point is that I find it purposefully deceitful to include gratuity and then still have a line for gratuity."
I'm sure the printing of it all over the room service menu you ordered from was deceitful as well. It doesn't sound like you're a novice traveler, so I'm not sure what the issue is.
I'm sure the printing of it all over the room service menu you ordered from was deceitful as well. It doesn't sound like you're a novice traveler, so I'm not sure what the issue is.
#17
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 103
we have a local restaurant here in quincy,il called maid rite.they have signs everywhere that say absolutely no tipping.if the owners catch a waiter/waitress accepting a tip they fire them for it.whats funny is they completely left that out when the restaurant was featured on the food network on alton browns show feasting on asphalt.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
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A 'service' charge should not be referred to as a 'gratuity'.
A gratuity is by definition an ex-gratia payment and is fully optional.
Here in Oz, we generally don't get 'service charges' included in the bill/check. Nor is tipping expected - It does happen, generally for service over the normal.
A gratuity is by definition an ex-gratia payment and is fully optional.
Here in Oz, we generally don't get 'service charges' included in the bill/check. Nor is tipping expected - It does happen, generally for service over the normal.
#19
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC/SYD
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Posts: 2,445
And this is all why i'm more apt to go and order from outside delivery. At least when they come, they earned their tip and those surcharges arent on it.
#20
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: lapsed UA 1K (now a lowly 2P), HGP Platinum
Posts: 9,607
I have been seeing the line labeled "Additional Gratuity" more often lately, which I agree is a better label that is less likely to be missed by someone glancing at the bill and risking double-tipping.
I have always simply circled the included service charges on the bill, wrote INCL. on the tip line, and carried the total down. I don't think I've ever gotten attitude for that.
I have always simply circled the included service charges on the bill, wrote INCL. on the tip line, and carried the total down. I don't think I've ever gotten attitude for that.
#21
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Southern California
Programs: Hertz 5 star, Priceline Hotel bidder. AA PLT, 1MM.
Posts: 2,910
In some, if not most states, the sales/use tax is after service charge whereas sales tax is not collected on the optional tip. Not sure whether sales/use tax is charged on the delivery charge.
For our wedding last year, our state/local sales tax was charged on the total of the banquet package & service charge of 19%.
For our wedding last year, our state/local sales tax was charged on the total of the banquet package & service charge of 19%.
#22
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
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I've never added a tip on top of the 18-20% included (plus "Service Charge") and don't recall ever getting a "nasty look" from the person that delivered (waiter?, delivery guy?).
#23
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 370
You don't understand. A tip isn't the same thing as a gratuity, which is different from a service charge, which should be distinguished from an additional gratuity, not to be confused with "a little extra," which is entirely different from rounding up the bill and telling them to "keep the change." So you ought to do all those.
Actually maybe it would be easier just to throw your wallet at them when they show up with the 'za.
Actually maybe it would be easier just to throw your wallet at them when they show up with the 'za.
#24
Join Date: Aug 2005
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#25
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
The notion that I should hand out money to every service person I encounter in a fancy hotel where I'm already paying hundreds of dollars a night for the privledge is ridiculous. They are certainly being compensated more than if they worked at a one star hotel. I'm staying there and paying the insane room rates for the included service -- not just the space. The expectation that you should tip every person that delivers, opens, cleans, or smiles instead of only for extraordinary service is just silly. It makes it feel more like an a la carte menu.
Generousity or stinginess has nothing to do with it. It just isn't right from a client service perspective, in my opinion.
Ugh.
peace,
~Ben~
#26
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
i generally do not order room service b/c its not a good way to spend my "up to $$ / day" meals allowance (have to have receipts for everything so its not like i get to pocket it either), but I have always been amazed at the audacity of hotels which include "gratuity" and then put a line for "additional tip"... and i don't care if it has become an industry standard. it is just plain insulting, and as pointed out upthread, preys upon travelers who do not read their bill closely and just instinctively add more $$ on the "tip" line.
#27
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
... I have always been amazed at the audacity of hotels which include "gratuity" and then put a line for "additional tip"... and i don't care if it has become an industry standard. it is just plain insulting, and as pointed out upthread, preys upon travelers who do not read their bill closely and just instinctively add more $$ on the "tip" line.
It's all out of control. The shame of it is, it has jaded me so much that I'm less likely to tip when I should since I feel like I'm bilked for money at every turn when I shouldn't be.
peace,
~Ben~