auto 18% tip for parties of 6+ / young child

[CheriePenguin]

Just a question about the automatic 18% tip added to bills for parties of 6 or more - will a child under 2 in a high chair, generally eating off our plate, be counted as part of the 6? We will usually have 4 adults, a 4 yr old, and DS under 2.

Thanks for any input based on experiences you've had!

From other posts I've read, it sounds like it shouldn't be a problem to get separate checks (my parents are on a separate plan, etc.), and it sounds like you get a bill with an 18% and 20% amt listed and a space for "other." I presume that IF you were not satisfied with the service for some reason that you could tip under 18%?

(Still kind of bummed about the tip and appetizer being taken off the Dining Plan.)

 

[Tricia1972]

If there are 6 people at your table you are assessed the 18% gratuity. Period.

It does not matter if you are two parties, nor does it matter if you're one family with a child who is under two. 6 bodies = 18%. (If you are two parties, each check will have a separate 18% gratuity on their bill)

Do I like it or agree with it, not necessarily. I'm just sharing the way that they do it.

 

[CheriePenguin]

Thanks for the confirmation (about child or infant included in the party count of 6) - that's what I thought, just wanted to be sure so I know what to expect.

One other board/post seemed to imply that there is no negotiating the 18% tip - even if you are unhappy with the service. Is that in fact true? (I don't expect to be so unhappy with service that I would need to complain, but you never know.)

 

[NikkiNwonderland]

I've never went with enough people to have the tip added, but I would like to hope if you truly did have a horrible waiter and terrible meal that you could get the tip taken off. It might not be very easy but I'd definetly talk to the manager and try to get it taken off.

 

[llmurphy17]

Yes the child under 3 will count toward you party total.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

but, unfortunately we will have to do the same. I can understand for parties of eight or more....but 6, especially with a baby.....We actually changed our usual daily table service to only three this trip....and we even made some seperate ADR's just for the principle of the matter

 

[Colleen27]

We were told the same as the previous posters - any warm body counts. In our case, the warm body that makes us a party of 6 will be a whopping 4 months old on our December trip! It may end up being irrelevant for us, because my brother & his fiancee may be joining us too, but it still irks me that an infant counts towards the auto-tip party size.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would not go anticipating a server issue but in the event you are unhappy with the level of service, simply speak to a manager. I don't believe that any manager will insist on an 18% gratuity if the service was shabby.