DDE & 18% do I have it right?

[Peapicker]

OK, so there is an automatic service charge of 18% when using the DDE card. Now is that added on to the amount before the discount is applied?

Ex: Total bill before tax comes to $100 plus service charge of 18% = $118
then the 20% discount is taken $118 - $23.60 = $94.40 and then they add the tax which is 6%. So my final bill would be $100.06. Is all this correct?

Thanks

 

[Cobbo]

OK, so there is an automatic service charge of 18% when using the DDE card. Now is that added on to the amount before the discount is applied?

Ex: Total bill before tax comes to $100 plus service charge of 18% = $118
then the 20% discount is taken $118 - $23.60 = $94.40 and then they add the tax which is 6%. So my final bill would be $100.06. Is all this correct?

Thanks

Nope. The 20% is not taken off of the 18% auto-grat, so it works out more like this:
With $100.00 pre-tax & pre-DDE-Disc, your auto-grat will be $18.00
Your 20% discount will be $100.00 - $20.00 = $80.00
Add your tax $80.00 x 6% (not sure if that tax rate is right though)=$4.80
DDE Total = $80.00 + $18.00 autograt + $4.80 taxes = $102.80

 

[Hootch]

it is on the pre-discount amount.

 

[Peapicker]

A yes and no answer, now I am really confused?

 

[Hootch]

below has a scanned DDE receipt. The scan was posted for other reasons, that are addressed in the post, but will provide the naswer.

http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/jackspence/2008/01/heads_up_disney_dining_experie_2.html

 

[lvloopingbag]

Tax is 6.5%.....

 

[dioxide45]

The auto gratuity and the discount are both based on the original bill amount. In your example $100.

 

[Tricia1972]

Nope. The 20% is not taken off of the 18% auto-grat, so it works out more like this:
With $100.00 pre-tax & pre-DDE-Disc, your auto-grat will be $18.00
Your 20% discount will be $100.00 - $20.00 = $80.00
Add your tax $80.00 x 6% (not sure if that tax rate is right though)=$4.80
DDE Total = $80.00 + $18.00 autograt + $4.80 taxes = $102.80

Other than the fact that the tax is 6.5% this example is correct.

 

[disnut8]

Any tip is calculated (or should be calculated if not automatic) on the price of just the food. No discount, no tax,. Food only. Bare bones. The server didn't earn the tax nor the discount. Alcohol is usually excluded from the tip but if the server gives you the drink, you can add that in as well. Depending on your drink.

Please remember that your tip is "suggested" not "have to do". You can ask for a reduction and you can certainly tip more.

It still amazes me that people feel the need to adhere to the 18% "rule". It's suggestion.

 

[corvair]

I just got the DDE for our next trip...I pulled up the page that showed the break down of all the cost and tip....I thought you also got 20% off of all beverages too... It looks like there was only 20% taken off the food...

Did I read this wrong?

thanks..amay

 

[mouseclick1]

I just got the DDE for our next trip...I pulled up the page that showed the break down of all the cost and tip....I thought you also got 20% off of all beverages too... It looks like there was only 20% taken off the food...

Did I read this wrong?

thanks..amay

While it looks like the drink is not discounted, it actually still is. The line that reads DD Bev is only referring to alcoholic beverages. If you notice in the scanned copy, a diet coke is ordered, but it is included under the food total. If you do the math, you see that 20% is still taken off the total bill. Below is a copy from one of our meals during Easter week. The "20% DD food" includes all food and non-alcoholic beverages. The "20% DD Bev" is the discount for the Captains Mai Tai that was ordered (which was good, by the way!). I did do the math on this bill and it all works out!

 

[patsal]

Any tip is calculated (or should be calculated if not automatic) on the price of just the food. No discount, no tax,. Food only. Bare bones. The server didn't earn the tax nor the discount. Alcohol is usually excluded from the tip but if the server gives you the drink, you can add that in as well. Depending on your drink.

Please remember that your tip is "suggested" not "have to do". You can ask for a reduction and you can certainly tip more.

It still amazes me that people feel the need to adhere to the 18% "rule". It's suggestion.

Since we are talking about the DDE here, the 18% is actually not a suggestion it is an auto grat so you really do not have a choice. BTW if one were to have poor service it would be best to bring that fact up to the management so the situation can be rectified.

 

[TDC Nala]

Since we are talking about the DDE here, the 18% is actually not a suggestion it is an auto grat so you really do not have a choice. BTW if one were to have poor service it would be best to bring that fact up to the management so the situation can be rectified.

This is correct. DDE members at table service restaurants and lounges are BILLED an 18% gratuity on the full bill (pre-discount). They have no choice in that matter.

DDE members may, of course, tip more if they wish, or ask a manager to lower the tip amount. The manager may or may not agree to do it.

 

[swift]

Alcohol is usually excluded from the tip but if the server gives you the drink, you can add that in as well. Depending on your drink.

Have I been over-tipping? I always tip based on the cost of food plus any wine we ordered.

 

[Cobbo]

Have I been over-tipping? I always tip based on the cost of food plus any wine we ordered.

Nope. You're doing it right, and in the fairly standard way. It's how I tip, and I how I was raised, but I do know that there is a split-of-opinions on the subject (as there usually is) since some don't feel the server should automatically be entitled to a higher tip just because you've ordered a $200.00 bottle of wine instead of a $40.00 bottle.

 

[dmslush]

Okay, I don't understand the value of the DDE if they are putting on a mandatory 18% gratuity.

The DDE card is $60, right? You get a 20% discount on your meals, but then they tack an 18% gratuity onto your bill. Right?

So, I would actually be paying $60 for a 2% discount since the discretion of tipping has been removed from me, right?

 

[Peapicker]

The way I see it is for your $60 fee you get to use the card for a full year which is very helpful to AP holders or Florida residents. Also you are still getting a 20% discount on your total meal cost due to the fact that you will most likely tip anyways. So if you do not have the card and you tip say 15% on a $100 tab then it will cost you $115 (+tax) however with the DDE card on a $100 tab you will pay $98 (+tax) ($100 x 18% =$118/$100 -20% =$80/$80 +$18 tip =$98) so in this case you would save $17. Plus you still get the discount at counter service places without having to pay a tip. Depending how many in your party and how many days you use the card I think it can really add up over the year.

Now if my figures are wrong I disavow any knowledge of this post.

 

[Cobbo]

The way I see it is for your $60 fee you get to use the card for a full year which is very helpful to AP holders or Florida residents. Also you are still getting a 20% discount on your total meal cost due to the fact that you will most likely tip anyways. So if you do not have the card and you tip say 15% on a $100 tab then it will cost you $115 (+tax) however with the DDE card on a $100 tab you will pay $98 (+tax) ($100 x 18% =$118/$100 -20% =$80/$80 +$18 tip =$98) so in this case you would save $17. Plus you still get the discount at counter service places without having to pay a tip. Depending how many in your party and how many days you use the card I think it can really add up over the year.

Now if my figures are wrong I disavow any knowledge of this post.

You've got it right...and if you're prone to do a bunch of signature dining throughout the year, the savings really add up. DW & I love that the savings on a meal at V&A alone more than pays for the card (and thus the discount) for an entire year.

 

[mom2my3kids]

A lot of people tip on total bill, like lets say the bill was 20.45 then most peole would just leave 5.00 if tipping 20%. This is how I tip, I leave no less then 5.00 or 20% of the bill for service. Not saying 18% is not enough, it is just when I figure the bill its easier for me to do it this way..

 

[goofy4tink]

I've always just figured that the DDE pays for our tips. When it became automatic, we saved 2% overall...we usually tipped at 20% because it was just so easy...whatever the DDE discount was, that's what we left for a tip..unless we had less than good service.
Now...we tip 2% less. So, yes, it's still a good deal. I guess that if a diner intends to tip at a much lesser rate, say 10-15%, then the automatic gratuity isn't going to be such a good deal. But for those who tip at the normal, suggested rates, it is a good deal.