Jan 31, 2019, 10:44 am
Last edit by: davie355
Tips are not expected in Polaris lounges, but employees are allowed to accept them.
Tipping in Polaris lounge
Jan 19, 2019, 1:04 am
#152
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Jan 20, 2019, 3:32 pm
#154
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
Do you tip your TSA officers? It really has gone too far!
Jan 20, 2019, 3:55 pm
#155
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,553
After chatting with the Sudexo lead, I also had a chat with the bartenders about it too. They said they were told not to expect any tips but be appreciative of what they do get and quickly pocket them; they don't want loose bills or a tip jar in sight to give the idea that tipping is expected.
Jan 21, 2019, 1:03 am
#156
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
I'll usually tip my bartenders anywhere in the US, even in lounges. I won't tip for sit-down food at a lounge that offers it. I'm welcoming of a world in which less tipping is required, but I'm not quite at the point where I can hang out at the bar drinking without tipping.
Jan 23, 2019, 11:48 pm
#157
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
When this thread started, I was in the camp of not tipping. However, yesterday was my first time in a Polaris Lounge, which was LAX. The people at the desk were very nice and helpful and walked me around a bit to help me get the lay of the “land”. The servers in the dining room were very friendly, efficient, helpful and smiling. They made suggestions on the menu and encouraged me to look around at other parts of the lounge. The service was very good. I TIPPED!
One staffer was frequently walking around the general seating area with a tray of Champagne and offered glasses to us. Very proactive and pleasant service. I tipped her, also.
The people working in this lounge are very pleasant, seem to enjoy working there and proud of this lounge.
Each to their own.
One staffer was frequently walking around the general seating area with a tray of Champagne and offered glasses to us. Very proactive and pleasant service. I tipped her, also.
The people working in this lounge are very pleasant, seem to enjoy working there and proud of this lounge.
Each to their own.
Jan 24, 2019, 8:42 am
#158
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Couldn't agree more.
While I can both understand and appreciate the criticism tipping receives in countries where it's not the custom, I don't understand this sentiment in America. Bartenders are tipped everywhere in the USA, from hotels to dive bars, why not in an Airline lounge? Now, for those who prefer not to tip, fine; but, frankly, I'm puzzled by some of the subtle resentment towards those who do.
While I can both understand and appreciate the criticism tipping receives in countries where it's not the custom, I don't understand this sentiment in America. Bartenders are tipped everywhere in the USA, from hotels to dive bars, why not in an Airline lounge? Now, for those who prefer not to tip, fine; but, frankly, I'm puzzled by some of the subtle resentment towards those who do.
Jan 24, 2019, 12:00 pm
#159
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
Couldn't agree more.
While I can both understand and appreciate the criticism tipping receives in countries where it's not the custom, I don't understand this sentiment in America. Bartenders are tipped everywhere in the USA, from hotels to dive bars, why not in an Airline lounge? Now, for those who prefer not to tip, fine; but, frankly, I'm puzzled by some of the subtle resentment towards those who do.
While I can both understand and appreciate the criticism tipping receives in countries where it's not the custom, I don't understand this sentiment in America. Bartenders are tipped everywhere in the USA, from hotels to dive bars, why not in an Airline lounge? Now, for those who prefer not to tip, fine; but, frankly, I'm puzzled by some of the subtle resentment towards those who do.
ve minimum wage.
Jan 24, 2019, 5:40 pm
#160
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
Couldn't agree more.
While I can both understand and appreciate the criticism tipping receives in countries where it's not the custom, I don't understand this sentiment in America. Bartenders are tipped everywhere in the USA, from hotels to dive bars, why not in an Airline lounge? Now, for those who prefer not to tip, fine; but, frankly, I'm puzzled by some of the subtle resentment towards those who do.
While I can both understand and appreciate the criticism tipping receives in countries where it's not the custom, I don't understand this sentiment in America. Bartenders are tipped everywhere in the USA, from hotels to dive bars, why not in an Airline lounge? Now, for those who prefer not to tip, fine; but, frankly, I'm puzzled by some of the subtle resentment towards those who do.
TIPS are To Insure Prompt Service, hence the term. I tip, already stated it above, I don't want to have to wait to get a cocktail when I have maybe 30 mins to get my flight. Not proud of it but some of the bar tenders in various UCs know me. Don't get to the PLs enough for that but still IF the service is good.
Jan 24, 2019, 8:40 pm
#161
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: United GS, Marriott Titanium, HHonors Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 97
We were in the SFO Polaris dining room a few weeks ago, but realized neither of us had small bills in USD on us (we had Australian currency, but that wouldn't help!), despite receiving excellent service from the wait staff. We would have happily tipped $5-ish each had we had the cash on us (we were in/out in under an hour).
Jan 24, 2019, 9:48 pm
#162
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott platinum, lifetime platinum
Posts: 974
Bartenders at most places are paid a sub-minimum wage and their employers rely on tips to make sure they are paid at least the minimum. Sadly, this is legal in the US. Bartenders and other employees at Polaris clubs are properly compensated for their work at well abve minimum wage.
ve minimum wage.And how much? I seriously doubt they are paid more than 30000 a year, which is pitiful, although above minimum wage.
Jan 25, 2019, 12:45 am
#163
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Jan 25, 2019, 5:51 am
#164
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA MM, AA PPro
Posts: 1,480
Besides, the anger is mostly directed not at those who elect to tip (to each indeed his own), but at employees who explicitly ask for a tip. Many, myself included, find that tacky at any bar/restaurant, and especially so in light of the above.
Jan 26, 2019, 5:09 pm
#165
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
+1
TIPS are To Insure Prompt Service, hence the term. I tip, already stated it above, I don't want to have to wait to get a cocktail when I have maybe 30 mins to get my flight. Not proud of it but some of the bar tenders in various UCs know me. Don't get to the PLs enough for that but still IF the service is good.
TIPS are To Insure Prompt Service, hence the term. I tip, already stated it above, I don't want to have to wait to get a cocktail when I have maybe 30 mins to get my flight. Not proud of it but some of the bar tenders in various UCs know me. Don't get to the PLs enough for that but still IF the service is good.