$20 Trick.....at Disney?

[Chuckers]

I stayed at GF concierge and I learned there are two ways to 'tip' a desk CM/Concierge CM.

1. A letter of thanks/appreciation to management for outstanding service goes very far.

2. You can not give them cash, however, if you were to buy them something like a tin of cookies, bottle of wine, etc, they don't have to refuse that because it's not money.

 

[Missytara]

Yes, but if a CM was particulary helpful, you can't give them a tip? After the fact, I mean. I often tip folks (outside of Disney) that are helpful and cheerful and may not necessarily be in a "tipped" position.

However, Disney is very different. A few years ago, while my friend was with me, her mom passed and she had to leave suddenly. Several people jumped in to help out of various non-tipping positions and all stated they could not accept a tip, when she offered to do so.

 

[jade1]

While I'm certain the CM's could use $20, WDW rooms run what $1,500 to $4,000 a week and up? Word would quickly spread and the $20 would become $40, then $60, then $100 etc.

EX BWI is about $100 per night ($700/wk) more for BW View over standard.

Pretty sure Disney wouldn't want a CM giving $700 away for $20.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, but if a CM was particulary helpful, you can't give them a tip? After the fact, I mean. I often tip folks (outside of Disney) that are helpful and cheerful and may not necessarily be in a "tipped" position.

Front desk CMs are not supposed to accept tips. Neither are non-tipped employees like bus drivers or character performers. Can't speak to what will happen if they are caught keeping offered tips, but they are not supposed to accept them.

 

[patty57]

Like I said, I would NEVER try this personally, just wondering if it had ever crossed anyone's mind.

Nope.

 

[goofy4tink]

You fold up a $20 and put it in between your photo ID and credit card and hand it to the person checking you in the hotel - while asking them if there are any complimentary upgrades available. They take the tip, and many times give you a better room than what you paid for. Not sure it if would work here at Disney because most rooms are already booked. In Vegas there are probably many more empty rooms for them to work with. I dunno.

Like I said, I don't think I could do it myself, just wondering if anyone had tried it. I doubt they would be terminated though. Or else the bell guys would get fired every single day.

Oh, they will be terminated. They are not allowed to accept anything like that. And sure, you tip Bell Services. They are considered, by Disney, to be a tippable position. As are servers in restaurants, bus drivers for Mears/DME, boat captains. Not sure about tour guides...does anyone know??? Housekeeping is not considered to be a tippable position either, but guests keep doing it, and housekeepers will take the tip since no one is the wiser (I imagine anyway). But there are actually housekeepers out there that will leave that money sitting, untouched.

So, while slipping a $20 with your ID may get you a better room in other places, it doesn't work at WDW. Pay for the level room you want. Sure, you may get a little magic and be upgraded, but it won't be because you slipped a CM a twenty!!!

 

[Carlyzmom]

So, while slipping a $20 with your ID may get you a better room in other places, it doesn't work at WDW. Pay for the level room you want. Sure, you may get a little magic and be upgraded, but it won't be because you slipped a CM a twenty!!!

Yep, that's exactly what I did! I was just curious in posing the question. I've never heard of anyone doing this anywhere other than Vegas. Looks like I was correct.

 

[darkwing818]

Like I said, I would NEVER try this personally, just wondering if it had ever crossed anyone's mind.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I would NEVER even think to do this at Disney!! I feel like the CMs would be offended. It just seems like a tacky thing to do

Is this an expected/regular thing in Vegas? I've only been once and it never crossed my mind to do this. Turns out I got a massive upgrade anyways without even asking. I'm going again this summer, but I'm staying at the non-casino Four Seasons. I'd be too embarrassed to even attempt a bribe!

 

[Mr. Pig]

Like I said, I would NEVER try this personally, just wondering if it had ever crossed anyone's mind.

To answer your question, I have seen this topic brought up before but I haven't seen anyone reply that they actually tried it.

 

[Carlyzmom]

To answer your question, I have seen this topic brought up before but I haven't seen anyone reply that they actually tried it.[/QUOTE]

Of COURSE not!!! They would be taken to the town square and be tarred and feathered!!

 

[EagleScout]

I would NEVER even think to do this at Disney!! I feel like the CMs would be offended. It just seems like a tacky thing to do

Is this an expected/regular thing in Vegas? I've only been once and it never crossed my mind to do this. Turns out I got a massive upgrade anyways without even asking. I'm going again this summer, but I'm staying at the non-casino Four Seasons. I'd be too embarrassed to even attempt a bribe!

Interestingly, even in Vegas, it does not always work. They almost always keep the tip, but you don't always get an upgrade. Sometimes it is because they are expecting more than one twenty, sometimes it is because they just assume they should be tipped so not even really check for upgrades, sometimes they are new and not understand how to check, and sometimes it is because there are no upgrades at that moment. Some nice checkin hosts will even tell you they are fully booked/cannot offer an upgrade, etc, and give you a "partial refund" if you gave more than one bill.

 

[Carlyzmom]

Interestingly, even in Vegas, it does not always work. They almost always keep the tip, but you don't always get an upgrade. Sometimes it is because they are expecting more than one twenty, sometimes it is because they just assume they should be tipped so not even really check for upgrades, sometimes they are new and not understand how to check, and sometimes it is because there are no upgrades at that moment. Some nice checkin hosts will even tell you they are fully booked/cannot offer an upgrade, etc, and give you a "partial refund" if you gave more than one bill.

Wow! That is very interesting!! I've never tried it - even in Vegas. But it's a hot topic on Vegas threads. I guess it's a gamble some folks are willing to take.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Yes, but if a CM was particulary helpful, you can't give them a tip? After the fact, I mean. I often tip folks (outside of Disney) that are helpful and cheerful and may not necessarily be in a "tipped" position.

I dropped a diamond earring in the sink at WDW. Very friendly maintenance guy came to our room around 11 pm or so and got it out. DH tried to tip him $50, he was appreciative but politely refused saying he wasn't allowed to accept a tip. We didn't know, or DH wouldn't have tried.

 

[aVASTGrl]

Interestingly, even in Vegas, it does not always work. They almost always keep the tip, but you don't always get an upgrade. Sometimes it is because they are expecting more than one twenty, sometimes it is because they just assume they should be tipped so not even really check for upgrades, sometimes they are new and not understand how to check, and sometimes it is because there are no upgrades at that moment. Some nice checkin hosts will even tell you they are fully booked/cannot offer an upgrade, etc, and give you a "partial refund" if you gave more than one bill.

Hmmm, fascinating! I guess that's why I rarely get upgrades or freebies, I'm not a wheel-greaser LOL! Thanks for the info, I will definitely keep my eyes peeled and see how many surreptitious tippers I can spot

 

[gwynne]

Interestingly, even in Vegas, it does not always work. They almost always keep the tip, but you don't always get an upgrade. Sometimes it is because they are expecting more than one twenty, sometimes it is because they just assume they should be tipped so not even really check for upgrades, sometimes they are new and not understand how to check, and sometimes it is because there are no upgrades at that moment. Some nice checkin hosts will even tell you they are fully booked/cannot offer an upgrade, etc, and give you a "partial refund" if you gave more than one bill.

Lots of newbies to Vegas have no clue as to whether they actually received an "upgrade" or not. There are areas of even the high end properties that those in the know would never book, and would politely decline if "offered" because they know it's a big downgrade. But, the desk clerks rather regularly offer them as if they were a fantastic upgrade!
I think you are are so much better off booking a really nice room (in a preferred area) at a great rate. Join the email, text and snail mail lists. They generate great offers.
Finally, I have received some actual very nice upgrades in Vegas (for free.) It happens, and you don't have to do the 20.00 thing.

 

[pktbMouse]

lol...FYI...I dont know when the last time you were in Vegas but if you slipped them a $20 you would get a room facing the dumpster...try a $100 bill and you might get somewhere... lol

 

[tinkerpea]

Wow! That is very interesting!! I've never tried it - even in Vegas. But it's a hot topic on Vegas threads. I guess it's a gamble some folks are willing to take.

I thought you said in you OP that you "HAVE" done it in Vegas with great success??
So have you done it in Vegas or Not?!

 

[Mickey1Fan]

It seems the OPs story changed...

 

[Allison]

I thought you said in you OP that you "HAVE" done it in Vegas with great success??
So have you done it in Vegas or Not?!

Oops.