How do you tip?

[peachgirl]

I'll quit my job today if I can make that kind of money.

When we were in Las Vegas last year we had a chatty cab driver. We got to talking about what different jobs paid what in Las Vegas. According to him, one of the best, if not the best paying job was working valet.
I don't know what this particular job in valet is called, but if you've ever been to Las Vegas, you know the guy who stands there and opens taxi doors for people? That's the job he was talking about. According to him, people on average would tip $1-$2 and on a busy night the guy could literally open several hundred doors.

He said these guys make anywhere from $300-$500 a night just standing there opening taxi doors. Ready to move to Vegas?

If you feel like tipping $20 for bellhop services, I'm sure they appreciate it. I just don't think it's neccessary or is it anywhere near what's expected. $1 a bag, with a $5 minimum is more than sufficient for average service.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

I can only agree with Skiwee1 ! If you could see the size of my bags then you would know why I tip so much to get them to my room. My poor husband does not want to carry my luggage when he picks me up from a Disney trip. He is a Firefighter/Paramedic and is very used to carrying things that are heavy . He always asks if I have cast members in my bags


Wishing everyone many Disney days ahead

Wilderness Lodge Conceirge here we come !!!

 

[addie]

Want a good job? My BIL works as a bell hop in Alaska at one of the major resorts. When the cruise ships come in he can make up to 1,000 a day. It is not unusual for bellhops to walk away with 40,000 for the summer.

Most of the bell hops are teachers with the summer off, and they are some of the ritchest teahers I have seen, but man they have to work hard!!

They unload 50 pound bags from busses and take them up to the guests rooms all day long. The catch- you have to know someone to get one of those jobs!

 

[goofy4tink]

We consist of myself, dh and 9 y/o dd. We tip $5 a day for mousekeeping, $10 for bell services (usually have one carry-on and one checked piece each), $15 each way for town-car service.
I figure that these folks are contributing to my 'magical' stay and should be compensated accordingly.

 

[Bob NC]

The valet that takes the luggage from my car gets a tip, but it varies. Usually I'm at the back of the van actually taking out the luggage and either handing it to him or putting it on the cart, in this case he'll get $3 or $4. If I leave everything for him to do, it's around .50 to $1 per bag, maybe a total of $6 or $8. This is where it gets dicey, if the same valet brings the bags to my room his tip will be a little less than if it's a different valet. If it's the same valet, he may get another $3 or $4. If it's a different valet, he probably will get another $6 or $8.

It is not necessary, or even expected, to tip housekeeping. We usually tip them anyway. Usually $2 or $3 per night put in that little fold up card you find in the room with their name on it and left on the nightstand. I have peeked into some rooms housekeepers are cleaning and seen where they SHOULD be getting a $20 tip for cleaning that room. Some folks are just pigs and cause the housekeepers to go above and beyond. I feel I am actually doing them more of a favor than a tip by leaving the room in an "easy-to-clean" condition. We leave all our assorted odds and ends on the top of the armoire. We put all the kids pillows and blankets and such somewhere so she doesn't have to move them around to clean the room.

I'd love to have the job of that 'cab-stand' guy in Vegas. We stood at the Golden Nugget in a cab line for about 20 minutes. EVERYONE handed this guy $2 or $3, and he was servicing about 5 or 6 folks a minute. I think the only reason they take breaks is to empty their pockets.

 

[welovedis]

We generally tip skycaps about $5 or so for 1-2 bags and increase it accordingly depending on service and the amount of bags we take.

We tip bellhops about $2-3 per bag and again, depends on the service. If they do something really great, then add on $5-$10 depending on the situation, etc..

We also tip housekeeping and usually tip around $10 per day, sometimes a little less but usually $10 (for 2 adults & 1 child). We also tend to have a pretty clean room but appreciate good service.

At restaurants I tend to tip more than most--I never leave less than 15% and usually leave about 25% or so, we seem to get great service and want to send the message that it is greatly appreciated.

If I can comment for a minute on the post above that said this:

She said it takes her 10 minutes per room if no sheets are changed. 15 minutes if she has to change sheets. So if she can do 5 rooms per hour on average and everyone tips her $6 then that is $30 an hour or $1200 a week based on 40 hours.

If this info she gave you is correct, then WDW must really have made some terrific advances in housekeeping over the years. I used to work for a large hotel chain (back in college days-over 10 yrs ago) and was employed to follow-up on the housekeeping staff. I would enter a room that they finished and check-up on the cleanliness, etc... then report back. I never saw a stay-over room (person is still staying in resort) get cleaned in 10 minutes or even 15. Each person was alloted at least 30 minutes to clean the room, regardless of sheet changes. Check-out rooms were alloted 45 minutes to an hour and sometimes took longer if there was a real mess. That is how the work is handed out for the day--get the list of check-outs & stay-overs and determine how many rooms each housekeeper gets, etc....

If you think about what is done in each room there is no way it could be done in 10 minutes, IMO. Cleaning the bathroom, shower, toilet, sink(s), floor, then making the beds, or changing them, getting towels, vacuuming....I just don't see how that happens in 10 minutes unless there is more than 1 housekeeper working on a room.

Also-I can tell you that mostpeople do not tip their housekeepers. Probably 15% -20% at most, but the norm is to not see a tip at all, and most of the time if someone does tip it is on the day they check-out. I worked at a Westin hotel (not inexpensive) and was surprised that most business people and other well-heeled travelers did not tip. So the idea that a housekeeper would make alot on tips is not reality.
Anyway--sorry to go off topic a bit...I definitely think housekeeping should be a tipped position in every hotel.

 

[Pirate'slife4me]

$3-4 Per Bag

$5/day for Mousekeeping

20% for Restaurant wait staff (if service was good!)

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by welovedis
We generally tip skycaps about $5 or so for 1-2 bags and increase it accordingly depending on service and the amount of bags we take.

We tip bellhops about $2-3 per bag and again, depends on the service. If they do something really great, then add on $5-$10 depending on the situation, etc..

We also tip housekeeping and usually tip around $10 per day, sometimes a little less but usually $10 (for 2 adults & 1 child). We also tend to have a pretty clean room but appreciate good service.

At restaurants I tend to tip more than most--I never leave less than 15% and usually leave about 25% or so, we seem to get great service and want to send the message that it is greatly appreciated.

If I can comment for a minute on the post above that said this:
If this info she gave you is correct, then WDW must really have made some terrific advances in housekeeping over the years. I used to work for a large hotel chain (back in college days-over 10 yrs ago) and was employed to follow-up on the housekeeping staff. I would enter a room that they finished and check-up on the cleanliness, etc... then report back. I never saw a stay-over room (person is still staying in resort) get cleaned in 10 minutes or even 15. Each person was alloted at least 30 minutes to clean the room, regardless of sheet changes. Check-out rooms were alloted 45 minutes to an hour and sometimes took longer if there was a real mess. That is how the work is handed out for the day--get the list of check-outs & stay-overs and determine how many rooms each housekeeper gets, etc....

If you think about what is done in each room there is no way it could be done in 10 minutes, IMO. Cleaning the bathroom, shower, toilet, sink(s), floor, then making the beds, or changing them, getting towels, vacuuming....I just don't see how that happens in 10 minutes unless there is more than 1 housekeeper working on a room.

Also-I can tell you that mostpeople do not tip their housekeepers. Probably 15% -20% at most, but the norm is to not see a tip at all, and most of the time if someone does tip it is on the day they check-out. I worked at a Westin hotel (not inexpensive) and was surprised that most business people and other well-heeled travelers did not tip. So the idea that a housekeeper would make alot on tips is not reality.
Anyway--sorry to go off topic a bit...I definitely think housekeeping should be a tipped position in every hotel.

I think you missed my point in my post. I do not think mousekeepers make all the money. I was disagreeing with another post that bellhops make too much money. I used the "everyone tips mousekeeping" as an example of what I thought was inaccurate. I was saying that if EVERYONE tipped $6 a room and the maid really worked that many rooms then that is what she would get. In reality she probably gets $10 in tips an hour. At the Poly the rooms are not vacuumed every day that I saw. Sheets are changed every 3 days. I am only going by what someone who has been a mousekeeper for 8 years has told me. I do know by these boards that many don't tip housekeeping at all. I also see that bellhops are not tipped that well by many people. So that makes me think that these people are not going to be wealthy by any means from the few good tips that they get.

 

[eeyore0062]

I also tip on the whole amount, including drinks, although sometimes I hear that isn't necessary.

The tip on drinks should be included, as it is a taxed commodity. However, you don't have to tip on the tax.

 

[patsal]

Mousekeeping $1 per person per night
Baggage $1 for small carryon bags, $2 for the heavy ones--heck my suitcase weighs 35 lbs empty so it is bound to weigh nearly 60 when packed! When it is brought to my room I usually tip the same per bag or a flat $5 or $10 to round up.
Valet parking $2 at pickup, sometimes at dropoff
Restaurants I tip 20% as a rule, and will go up or down depending on service. Often my tips range in the 25-30% area.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I also see that bellhops are not tipped that well by many people.

The amounts I quoted ($1/bag, $1pp/night, $1-$2 for valet @ pick-up, 15%-20% for restaurant servers, etc.) are national averages and are appropriate amounts per "Emily Post" and travel industry experts. Large cities like New York or Las Vegas have higher tipping conventions. Smaller cities like Orlando would have smaller tipping amounts.

Over tipping is no more sophisticated or appropiate than under tipping. In fact, it shows a lack of familiarity with travel conventions. Now I will agree, if you have unusually heavy bags, it is appropriate to tip extra. But some of the amounts quoted here are beyond what is normal in the industry.

Now, if you are Bill Gates or Donald Trump, you probably are expected to be overly generous and would be given exception to tipping conventions. Part of the price of being rediculously rich!lol

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Minnie's Mate
The amounts I quoted ($1/bag, $1pp/night, $1-$2 for valet @ pick-up, 15%-20% for restaurant servers, etc.) are national averages and are appropriate amounts per "Emily Post" and travel industry experts. Large cities like New York or Las Vegas have higher tipping conventions. Smaller cities like Orlando would have smaller tipping amounts.

Over tipping is no more sophisticated or appropiate than under tipping. In fact, it shows a lack of familiarity with travel conventions. Now I will agree, if you have unusually heavy bags, it is appropriate to tip extra. But some of the amounts quoted here are beyond what is normal in the industry.

Now, if you are Bill Gates or Donald Trump, you probably are expected to be overly generous and would be given exception to tipping conventions. Part of the price of being rediculously rich!lol

I agree with your appropriate amounts given and I tip accordingly. I was speaking of the ones that paid .50 a bag. Too little in my opinion. I tipped $25 because I had 15 bags upon check out. Four were very heavy suitcases. The bellhops are pretty talented to pile all of that stuff up on one little dolly, manuever it in the tiny Poly elevators, and then lift it again into the golf cart. When you get to the vehicle he lifts it a third time and puts it in the car. I can't imagine anyone paying less for the same amount of work. As far as overtipping being just as inappropriate as undertipping, that is ludicrous. Tipping is all in the way the person feels they received value. I see it a different way then others and that is fine. It certainly doesn't make one wrong to pay for for a value they perceive as excellent. If I have the money then I'm certainly going to give it to someone I feel has earned it, whether I'm Bill Gates or not.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Skiwee1,

My reference was directed at your comment that implied that those of us who tip the standard amount were being cheap.

If you tip more than the standard amount for more than a standard level of service, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. We have stayed at the Polynesian, Yatch Club, Dolphin and Animal Kingdom Lodge. With the latter three you drive your car to the drop off area and load your luggage there and that is what I am refering to. I feel that Disney service is consistantly on par with the various non-Disney hotels where I have stayed. If it is an excellent level of service, then I guess I have become accustomed to excellent service in the other ten or so states and three countries where I have stayed in deluxe hotels. The large amount of luggage and all the handeling you described would warrant a larger tip than just taking the bags to the front door and helping to load them into the car.

The OP asked "

How do you tip?

" The answer to that question has gotten mired down into what each individual guest tips and their opinion on tipping. The question is probably meant to be "What is an appropriate amount to tip?" I gave the amounts that are the norm around the country. I believe the OP can use the national averages as a basis and apply their own rating of the service they receive to decide what will be the appropriate tip to give. Being generous for outstanding service doesn't make it wrong for someone else to give a standard level of tip for a standard level of service. Just because you feel that you have received service above and beyond the norm doesn't mean that everyone will. If so, the bar is raised and you are just getting average service at that point.

If you want to see what the travel industry considers to be appropriate tipping see:www.tipping.org This web site has been referenced in many articles regarding tipping.

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Well I didnt mean to start this. I just tip what I feel it is worth to me to have good service.My luggage is heavy before it is packed. I know that when you get good service you should always thank the person face to face when you can , but a nice tip is always appriciated.Everyone should tip what they can afford and what they have in thier budget. We live a comfortable life and can afford nice vacations 4-5 times a year but...... Bill Gates I'm not LOL. I can not imagine not tipping a housekeeper not only do I tip I leave a Thank You note . Yes everyday ! I bring them with me or I leave it on the little pad by the phone ( I always draw a big smily face with Mickey ears on it )I always tip and I always have extra towels, soaps, and my Mickeys arranged on my bed when I get back to the room . When you make a point to thank people , remember their names, and tip them well you are thanking them for making you comfortable during your stay. While Iam away if it is WDW or a SCUBA trip I tip what I can afford and pass around lots of smiles I do not feel it shows that do not travel often or that I am not educated about how much to tip. I think it shows I am a happy person who goes out of my way to thank others who go out of their way for me . Sorry this was long it is not intended to make anyone upset.


Wishing EVERYONE many Disney Days ahead

 

[photobob]

I'll have a bunch of stuff for the bellman to take probaly a cart load. I think a $10 tip is plenty. It could increase or decrease depending on how informative the guy is. Most should give a good run down on services and let you know where everything is on the way up. They should also tell you the quickest way to the pool and that kind of stuff. If they give you excellent service that should be considered as well not just how many bags he carried. Just like a waitress or waiter pay according to the service you received..

 

[MEM]

$10 each way for Tiffany Driver -- my kids end up loading and unloading the luggage from the trunk for the driver just to be helpful so he does very little lifting.

$1 per suitcase and per grocery bag is plenty IMHO for bell services. DH was actually told by Bell Services that a tip was not expected by the person taking the luggage from the car to the cart to Bell Services. Only the person who brought the luggage to your room...its often the same person which works out well. I found that interesting. The Tiffany Driver is actually the one who ends up loading the rolling cart brought by Bell Services, with help from my kids of course. Would you tip $1 per bag for someone to bring a cart? Again, the tip should depend on the level of service.

I give $1 per bag at curbside check-in at the airport but I resent that because the attendant has us load the luggage on the conveyor and he just slaps on the barcodes. I do not tip for the carry-ons which he is not responsible for.

I also tip $4 per day for mousekeeping but I am sorry to say it seems like they expect that now. The one morning I left no tip because I had nothing smaller than a $20 bill and would have come back later in the day with it, the mousekeeper did a very limited cleaning job. It looked like she just pulled up the covers and emptied the wastebaskets. A coincidence? No towel animals during 3 stays at WDW, either or any special treatment. I object to having to ramp up my tip in order to get special considerations.

With meals, I almost always tip 15%, more for outstanding service. A small tip (5-10%) sends a stronger message with regard to poor service, than no tip at all. If the food is the culprit, I send it back.

Tipping carefully and thoughtfully is not being cheap. Again, my opinion and my experience.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I agree with MEM.

 

[kda]

This is our norm, for 2 very neat and undemanding adults who would have 1 carry on and 1-2 suitcases (a medium and large):

$1-2/bag for shuttle drivers who take us from parking lot to airport

$2 a bag for curbside check in -- it's great to avoid the line

$2 for valet on drop off and pick up (might be more if assisting with bags or directions)

$1/bag if someone has to take them from car to bell hop desk

$5 for person who delivers bags to room. More if we're escorted to the room, given a small tour of the resort and the room, and ice obtained ---- it doesn't seem like this happens much anymore

$2 daily for Mousekeeping ---I swear that we are REALLY neat.
More if cute animals, extra products, etc. I wouldn't want to clean up after someone else and feel they're underpaid.

For a 5-7 night stay at DVC property, it's about $10, since we don't get daily maid service. But we appreciate that the room was in good condition when we checked in -- again, I wouldn't want their job.

20% in restaurants, unless we didn't think service wasn't up to par

Of course, nothing brings out a "spirit of generosity" like a magical time on vacation, so it could be a little more. If we ever have a meal as part of a dinner package (ie, Candlelight Processional), we've been told the tip included is 15%, so we always add to that.

 

[smfnj]

I tip housekeeping $1 p/person p/day. Bellhops / skycaps $1 - $2 p/bag. You might want to tip the skycap a little extra if you're not sure, no telling where your bags might wind up.

steve

 

[smfnj]

Originally posted by skiwee1
The guy taking the bags to my room gets $20. At the Poly, the same guy gets the bags from your room and takes them to the car too so he gets $25.

Can I carry your bags?

steve