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
Dec 20, 2018, 7:55 am
#32
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Raleigh
Programs: United GS 2MM,, Marriott/Starwood Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 754
The woman who has served me breakfast multiple times at EWR is very professional and provides top-quality service exceeding what I experience in many restaurants. I’m always happy to leave a tip, if I have cash with me (which is about 50% of the time these days).
Dec 20, 2018, 7:59 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,498
Dec 20, 2018, 8:39 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: ORD
Programs: 1K
Posts: 121
I rarely have cash on me, however if the service is above and beyond I will tip, especially after a drink or two at the bar that requires work (cocktail etc). I flew through EWR on Thanksgiving and Nicole (I believe that was her name) worked the bar at night and was extremely friendly to everyone and we chatted for a while. I had no cash so went to the ATM right outside and left her a tip. Otherwise I don't often tip mainly due to not having cash on me.
Dec 20, 2018, 9:13 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,996
I rarely have cash on me, however if the service is above and beyond I will tip, especially after a drink or two at the bar that requires work (cocktail etc). I flew through EWR on Thanksgiving and Nicole (I believe that was her name) worked the bar at night and was extremely friendly to everyone and we chatted for a while. I had no cash so went to the ATM right outside and left her a tip. Otherwise I don't often tip mainly due to not having cash on me.
I do business in Japan where everyone has cash and yet, no one tips.
In fact, in 25+ years of doing business in Japan, I have only been asked to take a credit card a handful of times. Everybody pays in cash (there are no checks in Japan). I can remember having to make hotel reservations for some of my Japanese clients when they came to trade shows in America because they didn't have a credit card.
Dec 20, 2018, 9:20 am
#38
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I tip waiters and bartenders at lounges just as I would the same person at a cash-paid restaurant in the US. I don't see any difference and I don't subscribe to the false comparisons nor do I let my personal views of how the world ought to run get in the way of how it runs for the particular employee. I also tip the "regulars" more at the holidays. Just because. I don't over-rationalize these things. Largely because they aren't.
Dec 20, 2018, 2:27 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Generally, I've noticed that most people don't tip for drinks in Airline lounges or Centurion lounges. I will always tip for a drink. With the only possible exception of being Japan and/or South Korea, I've found their protestations notwithstanding, everyone appreciates a cash tip.
Dec 20, 2018, 2:30 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: UA/CO GS, PP, MM
Posts: 360
I forget which PL, but I've gotten this speech. And it was a delivered in what I thought was a bit pointed manner. I felt it was pretty tacky to be requesting a tip.
Dec 20, 2018, 2:34 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
While I always tip, but, may only leave a penny, if they pull this on me. To this day, though it's customary for me, a tip is still purely discretionary. No one is under any obligation to leave anything above what is mandated on the bill.
Last edited by Visconti; Dec 20, 2018 at 2:36 pm Reason: PS - wrong quote, was meant for the post right below it from Eadward.