leave 1 cent just to make a point :)

Be very careful with that one. "The 20-dollar trick" is frequently discussed over in the LV forums on Tripadvisor. Many hotels have a policy preventing front desk personnel from receiving any kind of money or gifts. At other hotels front desk staff may appreciate a tip but they are not allowed to just "dole out" upgrades. Some front desk staff would even be offended by you trying to discreetly slip them a twenty when handing them your credit card. Just as with airlines, money and loyalty talks so you should rely on hotel loyalty programmes rather than a tip to get you that coveted upgrade.

Sounds right to me.^

All I can say is that it works very well at the Venetian.

As a regular visitor the fair State of Virginia, always staying at the same location and now knowing most of the staff there, this Brit is well trained! :D

We always take small gifts with us [like proper chocolate ;)] which we distribute to Reservations, Front Desk and Bar/Restaurant. Last year Kristen expressed a desire for "After Eight" mints, so she gets those .... &c &c

Perhaps our approach is a little different, as it's almost our 2nd home, but we still do the cash tips for obvious reasons. And we always get our favourite suite.

I'd never come across this stereotype for British tourists in the US before. I'd heard (and experienced) it for others, but not British.

^

And if you don't like the custom, don't go to the country. @:-)

Tipping somebody on reception to get a room upgrade is one of the most vulgar things I have heard of. :rolleyes:

Las Vegas is one of the most vulgar places I've been -- what's your point?

I'm surprised, we usually tip the maids when we travel, usually a minimum of $5, or for longer stays, $2-3 per day (always a great way to get rid of coins). Depending on where we are, sometimes we tip a little beforehand too.

Officially tolerated by whom? As most of these employees are in a union, there is probably 'eff all that an employer can do.

Brits have had a reputation as lousy tippers for as long as I've been visiting the States. I remember once a couple of decades ago in an upmarket restaurant on the East Coast I was presented with a saucer of olive oil with some roasted garlic cloves and some bread. I asked the waiter for some butter (not having a clue what the oil was for) and he exclaimed "with pleasure sir, but don't you want to try our garlic/olive oil combo?". I shamefacedly replied that I had no clue what to do with it and he gently explained. When he'd finished I thanked him for not humiliating me as I would have expected in say a Parisien restaurant. He was aghast - "but how do these waiters expect to make a living from their tips? We rely on tips to live - we can't afford to treat people like that". Ever since I've never tipped less than 20% of pre tax.

Also yes, $2 a day for chambermaids. If staying more than one night it makes the stay nicer in many subtle ways.

I'm British and I tend to over tip if anything. I would be mortified if someone thought I was a cheapskate. Strangely though, in a fancy restaurant I will work out a 20% tip. When in a WaffleHouse or similar for breakfast in the middle of nowhere I will often leave 30%-50% as the waitstaff are often far more friendly and need & appreciate the tip more.

I was under the impression this had recently been or was in the process of being increased to something like $5.89/ hr to reduce the dependence on tips.

At a posh place, the food costs more, so that 15% equals substantially more than it would at somewhere inexpensive.

I don't understand how the working rich pay 15% taxes? The federal tax rate for those earning over, say, $171k/ year is 33%.

I don't tip unless said tip has been earned.