Club Level / Concierge - Guidelines & Tipping info?

[mommy2paris]

Hi! We will be spending one night at Club Level AKL in December...

I've never stayed Club Level & Concierge at any hotel in the past...

Can someone explain to me how it works exactly, who I need to tip & When, and the turn down service, do we tip someone for that?

Don't mean to sound clueless about the experience, but I am, lol.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would like to know too

 

[mommy2paris]

Hopefully someone can help us both out!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) No tipping.
2) By contract, the jobs on Club Floor are non-tipping positions.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

We have never personally stayed at the AKL but have stayed at the GF and YC club level. So this is what happens when we arrive to those particular resorts. We are always greeted by a concierge staff member in the valet area. We are then directed to the concierge desk area. You have your own personalized check-in which we love. You don't even have to go to the front desk. After checking in they give you all of your information as well as your keys to the kingdom. You are then free to snack on what ever goodies they have out at that time and drinks. It is our understanding that the concierge staff members are not allowed to accept tips or gifts. (This is what was told to us by the GF concierge manager) As far as the turn down service, we ususally leave a little note on the bed with a tip for them. The concierge staff are there to assist you within reason. We have heard some requests that were way out the line but people do try. You will get a lot of others here on the DIS that will give you great information as well. Have a wonderful trip and enjoy the Club Level.

 

[lilyv]

We travel quite frequently and we are happy to tip the housekeepers.
We always leave $5.00 per day.

Housekeeping is different than CL staff members.

 

[happymommy]

When we stayed at the AKL concierge, we did tip for extras, like asking for some wine or beer outside of the regular times (yes you can do this). They accepted it readily. At first, I didn't know they had beer, only wine. They will bring you beer any time.

We have also stayed numerous times in Club rooms at Ritz-Carltons, and have frequently tipped for extra things.

I usually try to tip housekeeping, and if I ask for extra things as well.

This is all at your discretion, of course. If you are up in the lounge, there is no real reason to tip unless they do something extra for you and you feel it is called for. They aren't up there expecting tips from everyone, but they do accept tips.

 

[ElizabethB]

Concierges on club level on not supposed to accept tips as I understand it.

As for the "lunch ladies", who knows? I don't.

 

[contemporarymom]

When we stayed at the AKL concierge, we did tip for extras, like asking for some wine or beer outside of the regular times (yes you can do this). They accepted it readily. At first, I didn't know they had beer, only wine. They will bring you beer any time.

We have also stayed numerous times in Club rooms at Ritz-Carltons, and have frequently tipped for extra things.

I usually try to tip housekeeping, and if I ask for extra things as well.

This is all at your discretion, of course. If you are up in the lounge, there is no real reason to tip unless they do something extra for you and you feel it is called for. They aren't up there expecting tips from everyone, but they do accept tips.

I'm very surprised that they accepted the tips! We've stayed CL many times and anytime we've tried to give a concierge a tip (for those same type of little extras) they've turned us down. We've never done it at the AKL so maybe it varies from resort to resort.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I ususally bring dowm some amex gift cards or send a gift basket to them when before I arrive from Harry and David or something like that.

 

[ElizabethB]

How does an Amex gift card differ from cash? I don't see the difference. If they can't accept cash, why can they accept Amex gift cards?

 

[pperfectmom]

Thanks for the info, especially the part about asking for beer. I'm sure we will take advantage of that feature during our first CL stay at AKL next May.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Concierges on club level on not supposed to accept tips as I understand it.

1) Concierge (and Front Desk) CM's can be fired for taking cash tips.
2) They are supposed to refuse up to three times.
. . . if you ask a fourth time, they take it
. . . but, they must immediately turn it over to a manager
3) The tip goes into a fund, and the manager buys donuts or coffee for all.
4) If they do not turn in the cash, it can be immediate termination.

NOTE: They can accept gifts of up to $75 value (like candy, doll, etc).

 

[happymommy]

1) Concierge (and Front Desk) CM's can be fired for taking cash tips.
2) They are supposed to refuse up to three times.
. . . if you ask a fourth time, they take it
. . . but, they must immediately turn it over to a manager
3) The tip goes into a fund, and the manager buys donuts or coffee for all.
4) If they do not turn in the cash, it can be immediate termination.

NOTE: They can accept gifts of up to $75 value (like candy, doll, etc).

That is funny - this wasn't the case at AKL at all. They all accepted tips there.

I always have understood that at all hotels, a concierge makes most of their income from tips. Not as much as a waiter, but definitely they do. Now on the Disney Cruise Line, I do understand that they follow the 3 times refusal policy.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

How does an Amex gift card differ from cash? I don't see the difference. If they can't accept cash, why can they accept Amex gift cards?

I don't know but I have given them out and they have been taken, they were $25.00

 

[John's Mom]

The mousekeepers that provide turndown service are not the same mousekeepers that clean your room. We leave $2 for turndown service.

I understand that the CMs at the desk in the lounge are not allowed to accept cash tips. What about the CMs (waitresses) that clean off the tables and put out the food?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I understand that the CMs at the desk in the lounge are not allowed to accept cash tips. What about the CMs (waitresses) that clean off the tables and put out the food?

Depending on the Resort it's the same Cast Members who also put the food out and clean up the tables in the lounges. I know that's the way it is for the two Contemporary Club Level floors. However the Polynesian has separate Cast Members working in the Hawaii Longhouse check-in area and on the 2nd floor lounge who handle all the food and cleaning of tables. Although if I had to guess I would assume the ones who are just working with putting out the foods and cleaning the tables can not accept tips.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I understand that the CMs at the desk in the lounge are not allowed to accept cash tips. What about the CMs (waitresses) that clean off the tables and put out the food?

. . . both are "status-ed" as Concierge-H/H, with pay up to $12.99/hr
. . . they perform both functions as part of their job
. . . please do not try to tip either and have them risk their jobs

That is funny - this wasn't the case at AKL at all. They all accepted tips there.

I always have understood that at all hotels, a concierge makes most of their income from tips. Not as much as a waiter, but definitely they do. Now on the Disney Cruise Line, I do understand that they follow the 3 times refusal policy.

. . . AKL concierge probably turned their tips to a manager behind your back
. . . like all concierge, they are not allowed to accept tips
. . . concierge at Disney (parks, resorts, boats, etc) do not depend upon tips
. . . concierge at Disney are paid hourly in a "non-tipped" classification


NOTE: Front Desk, Concierge, Guest Service, etc are non-tipped jobs at Disney ever since Walt. He did not want guests possibly treated differently based upon the guest's tips. In fact, these jobs are non-tipped by contract, not just by word-of-mouth. And, yes, taking tips while working in a non-tipped job can result in termination.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I don't know but I have given them out and they have been taken, they were $25.00

It depends on how they are given. CM's are allowed to accept "thank you cards" from guests, and are often told by managers not to open them unitl they get home

 

[RachelTori]

1) Concierge (and Front Desk) CM's can be fired for taking cash tips.
2) They are supposed to refuse up to three times.
. . . if you ask a fourth time, they take it
. . . but, they must immediately turn it over to a manager
3) The tip goes into a fund, and the manager buys donuts or coffee for all.
4) If they do not turn in the cash, it can be immediate termination.

NOTE: They can accept gifts of up to $75 value (like candy, doll, etc).

I think this is great information! Would you allow me to post it on the Concierge/Club Level Information thread? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1943943