Room Service tips on top of tips
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO Plat, *A Gold (all peacefully retired)
Posts: 623
Room Service tips on top of tips
Last night, I ordered a small pizza for around $13 roughly, with nothing else to go with it. As I signed the tab, I noticed the grand total was over $18, which included the 'gratuity' and 'service charge' both, plus another blank line for additional tip. I left that blank and signed it, and as I handed it back to the waiter, I got the distinct impression that he was not happy.
What do you usually do in cases like this? I figure a roughly 35% add-on is more than enough. I know the service person doesn't get all of that, but can't one assume they get the auto-gratuity at least?
This is in a South American Radisson, if that makes any difference.
What do you usually do in cases like this? I figure a roughly 35% add-on is more than enough. I know the service person doesn't get all of that, but can't one assume they get the auto-gratuity at least?
This is in a South American Radisson, if that makes any difference.
#2
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
Last night, I ordered a small pizza for around $13 roughly, with nothing else to go with it. As I signed the tab, I noticed the grand total was over $18, which included the 'gratuity' and 'service charge' both, plus another blank line for additional tip. I left that blank and signed it, and as I handed it back to the waiter, I got the distinct impression that he was not happy.
What do you usually do in cases like this? I figure a roughly 35% add-on is more than enough. I know the service person doesn't get all of that, but can't one assume they get the auto-gratuity at least?
This is in a South American Radisson, if that makes any difference.
What do you usually do in cases like this? I figure a roughly 35% add-on is more than enough. I know the service person doesn't get all of that, but can't one assume they get the auto-gratuity at least?
This is in a South American Radisson, if that makes any difference.
peace,
~Ben~
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, NW, DL, Marriott
Posts: 354
I usually add 10%. That's it. I know it's insane but I order room service from multiple Marriotts more often than not due to business travel. It's not worth it to me to make a "statement" as I will probably be back to the exact hotel and order again and probably get the same delivery person. I guess the sting is a little less painful as my company ends up paying it. Like it or not (and I do NOT) it is the custom we've created in the good ole' U.S. of A. To underscore that point - an Austrailian couple was in the elevator with me this morning (yes, I am in a Marriott as I write this) and they were laughing on how frequent they feel they must tip. I wanted to add something to their conversation but I did not. I could only share my frustration in quiet.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,716
"That's insane. It should've been $13 with a blank line OR $18 and no extra blank line, in my opinion."
Other people disagree with you. It's quite easy for you to not add a tip than it is to have the room service attendee go back downstairs, print another bill and bring it back up to the room.
An easy solution for this is to simply ask the room service staff who show up at your room if this includes gratuity. They will say yes it does. What you should remember though, is they only get a small piece of this. It goes into a gratuity pool that also lines the pockets of managers who sit in offices and don't give you direct service.
Personally, I will often add a few bucks, but keep it in the 5-10% range.
Other people disagree with you. It's quite easy for you to not add a tip than it is to have the room service attendee go back downstairs, print another bill and bring it back up to the room.
An easy solution for this is to simply ask the room service staff who show up at your room if this includes gratuity. They will say yes it does. What you should remember though, is they only get a small piece of this. It goes into a gratuity pool that also lines the pockets of managers who sit in offices and don't give you direct service.
Personally, I will often add a few bucks, but keep it in the 5-10% range.
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,312
"That's insane. It should've been $13 with a blank line OR $18 and no extra blank line, in my opinion."
Other people disagree with you. It's quite easy for you to not add a tip than it is to have the room service attendee go back downstairs, print another bill and bring it back up to the room.
Other people disagree with you. It's quite easy for you to not add a tip than it is to have the room service attendee go back downstairs, print another bill and bring it back up to the room.
Anyway, my point is that I find it purposefully deceitful to include gratuity and then still have a line for gratuity. It banks on people not reading their bill and just tacking on 15%-20% and signing out of habit. Restaurants that automatically include gratuity on groups over 5, for instance, and then still leave a line for a tip are doing the same thing. And yes, it is deliberate.
An easy solution for this is to simply ask the room service staff who show up at your room if this includes gratuity. They will say yes it does. What you should remember though, is they only get a small piece of this. It goes into a gratuity pool that also lines the pockets of managers who sit in offices and don't give you direct service.
Personally, I will often add a few bucks, but keep it in the 5-10% range.
Personally, I will often add a few bucks, but keep it in the 5-10% range.
I'm not stingy when I receive good service, but having been a bartender and waiter years ago and knowing how the game is played by servers and restaurants certainly jaded me to the entire tipping phenomenon.
peace,
~Ben~
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Palm Coast, FL (DAB) USA
Posts: 242
I look at the bill, and then state out loud "Oh, I see the tip is included", put a dash through the tip line, sign it, and hand it back... Yes, I get a few dirty looks, but they know what is going on..... Luckily though, I don't stay in the same place often.......
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 370
You should pay the gratuity, then add a tip. Then add another tip because they lent you a pen to sign the bill. And then be sure to tip them for accepting the tip. And add another tip to them for closing the door on their way out of your room.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
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Posts: 3,463
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Most hotels I have seen charge 18% gratuity for room service. I do not give extra gratuity unless the waiter does extra work (like set up breakfast on the balcony) in which case its an extra $2-3. I've never gotten a bad vibe for doing that but maybe I am just not picking up on it.
Most hotels I have seen charge 18% gratuity for room service. I do not give extra gratuity unless the waiter does extra work (like set up breakfast on the balcony) in which case its an extra $2-3. I've never gotten a bad vibe for doing that but maybe I am just not picking up on it.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
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Most hotels I have seen charge 18% gratuity for room service. I do not give extra gratuity unless the waiter does extra work (like set up breakfast on the balcony) in which case its an extra $2-3. I've never gotten a bad vibe for doing that but maybe I am just not picking up on it.
Most hotels I have seen charge 18% gratuity for room service. I do not give extra gratuity unless the waiter does extra work (like set up breakfast on the balcony) in which case its an extra $2-3. I've never gotten a bad vibe for doing that but maybe I am just not picking up on it.
In most room-service situations, I figure that there's an additional work-load (granted, not much of one), to prep the food for room delivery and deliver, as opposed to table service in the restaurant. I'm willing to cover the cost of a single room-service charge (since I'm willing, so is my company).
However, most room service items (that are on the restaurant menu) are already maked up on the room-service menu when compared to the same item on the restaurant menu. Then they add a r/s fee. Then, possibly, an additional fee. If this is the case, they get what's already on the bill and nothing more.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Right here
Posts: 2,940
Maybe we've been lucky, but Mrs. clarence5ybr and I have never been on the receiving end of a dirty look for no additional tip when it's included. Not only that, but the one time Mrs. clarence5ybr added an extra couple of bucks for a person who had been especially helpful (and was delivering lunch for the third day in a row while I was at a conference), she was even told 'you know, the tip is included, you don't have to add anything'. She responded that she knew that was the case, but wanted to add a little extra.
Our room service at the Hyatt Regency in Denver last night did clearly label the line "additional gratuity" after listing the 'service charge'. I think this is the minimum that should be done to help remind the customer that gratuity is already in the bill. I'll add that this isn't the sole problem of room service...if you dine with a large party at a restaurant, you will often trigger the mandatory gratuity clause, but the bill will still have a blank line for tip.
Our room service at the Hyatt Regency in Denver last night did clearly label the line "additional gratuity" after listing the 'service charge'. I think this is the minimum that should be done to help remind the customer that gratuity is already in the bill. I'll add that this isn't the sole problem of room service...if you dine with a large party at a restaurant, you will often trigger the mandatory gratuity clause, but the bill will still have a blank line for tip.
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: RHI. The Northwoods.
Programs: Everything and everywhere. Officially a nomad
Posts: 1,125
I don't add anything above the gratuity that's been added to my bill unless they do something extra. If they give me dirty looks I wouldn't notice, why would I care?
If I do give an extra tip I make sure to give it to them in cash, that way I know it gets into their pocket.
If I do give an extra tip I make sure to give it to them in cash, that way I know it gets into their pocket.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,671
Interesting read. My policy is not to give a tip if a service charge is already charged. In my opinion you cannot have a "service charge" (that often is established to avoid "individual tipping") and then ask for individual tips (and then ask for a tip once more).
With "service charge" I mean those 10% added on bills in many hotels.
HTB.
With "service charge" I mean those 10% added on bills in many hotels.
HTB.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Madison NJ; Watopia
Posts: 3,161
#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MEL/LAX
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^^ I want you to be my lifecoach.