Do you tip or gift your TA?

[Lucien Franciosa]

In the old days when you actually would go to a TA office, you would often see little gifts from past travelers on a person's desk or bookshelf...nowadays it's all done by email. Do you send your TA any sort of gift certificate or souvenir as a means of saying thank you? I am not asking about tip etiquette etc. just do you or don't you gift your TA ever? Thanks in advance. I currently don't but would hate to think I am stiffing my TA out of ignorance. If a TA wants to weigh in, better yet!

 

[tvguy]

No, never have. They work on commission so I have already paid them. Up to 10% of a Disney trip is their commission. I thank them with return business.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I never tipped my TA even when they were related to me, LOL.
They might get a souvenir but never money.

 

[Karin1984]

This is how tipping and gifting in the US gets out of hand.
I am waiting for the office workers in the US to expect their managers to gift them something for delivering the report they asked for.
Or the other way around. The manager who demands a gift for paying his employees.

To be honest, your TA is probably much happier if you leave them a positive review than a gift or tip.

 

[NYCgrrl]

This is how tipping and gifting in the US gets out of hand.

Has tipping ended in Europe?

 

[JM_97]

Last time we used a TA, I wrote a thank you card. Their "tip" is their commission and continued business.

 

[Sykes]

As a TA I've never been tipped and would actively discourage it. A nice note and a positive review goes a long way. If you really want to go above and beyond, a small (inexpensive) thoughtful gift is also welcome (bonus points if it's consumable so it doesn't create clutter)--either something from your trip or something that is personal to you.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I have never tipped my TA and I see her in person in her work office. She does not have small gifts or anything like that displayed. I do frequently refer people to her, which she always thanks me for doing for her.

 

[Karin1984]

Has tipping ended in Europe?

No, however you are not obligated to tip and the only people you tip are in a table service establishment. Usually to the next round number. That might be a bigger number for a larger bill, and it is usually under 10%. If you do not tip, then that's fine.

In NL (and I do the same in other EU countries), you do not tip your barber, hairdresser or other beauticians. You do not tip housekeeping, people filling up your car, handling your luggage. All the vendors at your wedding. You do not send gifts to your children's teachers. You can tip your TakeAway delivery boy, but most people I know do that because it's encouraged in the app.

Sometimes with tipping threads on here it feels like people are actively looking who else they can tip.

I do wonder where this will end for the US. Who will be next to expect tips or gifts?

 

[tvguy]

No, however you are not obligated to tip and the only people you tip are in a table service establishment. Usually to the next round number. That might be a bigger number for a larger bill, and it is usually under 10%. If you do not tip, then that's fine.

In NL (and I do the same in other EU countries), you do not tip your barber, hairdresser or other beauticians. You do not tip housekeeping, people filling up your car, handling your luggage. All the vendors at your wedding. You do not send gifts to your children's teachers. You can tip your TakeAway delivery boy, but most people I know do that because it's encouraged in the app.

Sometimes with tipping threads on here it feels like people are actively looking who else they can tip.

I do wonder where this will end for the US. Who will be next to expect tips or gifts?

I had a taxi driver in England refuse a tip. Says they aren't allowed to take them

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

This is how tipping and gifting in the US gets out of hand.
I am waiting for the office workers in the US to expect their managers to gift them something for delivering the report they asked for.
Or the other way around. The manager who demands a gift for paying his employees.

To be honest, your TA is probably much happier if you leave them a positive review than a gift or tip.

So I am going out on a limb here to guess your answer to the question asked is… ‘no.?’

 

[NYCgrrl]

No, however you are not obligated to tip and the only people you tip are in a table service establishment. Usually to the next round number. That might be a bigger number for a larger bill, and it is usually under 10%. If you do not tip, then that's fine.

In NL (and I do the same in other EU countries), you do not tip your barber, hairdresser or other beauticians. You do not tip housekeeping, people filling up your car, handling your luggage. All the vendors at your wedding. You do not send gifts to your children's teachers. You can tip your TakeAway delivery boy, but most people I know do that because it's encouraged in the app.

Sometimes with tipping threads on here it feels like people are actively looking who else they can tip.

I do wonder where this will end for the US. Who will be next to expect tips or gifts?

Okay just checking that things remain the same.. I used to live in central Europe so know the way it works. It was always funny when friends would visit me because they were bewildered by the American system in the beginning.

Never ever tipped my kiddos’ teachers in USA. Guess it’s a new generation with new thoughts.

 

[CamColt]

I was a travel agent for 11 years and I got 1 gift from a client who lived in Thailand. He sent me something from his home country, which was sweet. I also once got a gift card from a potential client who ended up not booking through me. She felt bad she made me do a lot of work for nothing. So no, I would not say it is common. The best "gift" I could have gotten would have been a good review on the after trip survey, which many did.

 

[Karin1984]

Okay just checking that things remain the same.. I used to live in central Europe so know the way it works. It was always funny when friends would visit me because they were bewildered by the American system in the beginning.

Never ever tipped my kiddos’ teachers in USA. Guess it’s a new generation with new thoughts.

I used to work in a book store at a large train station and one day an American comes in. He had a gift with him for whoever he was visiting and he wanted it gift wrapped. I said "no problem", wrapped the gift and wished him a nice day. He gave me 10 euro.
At first I didn't understand what he was doing and asked if he needed change. I was a poor student, so I took it. Don't think we even had a policy on accepting tips.

I had a taxi driver in England refuse a tip. Says they aren't allowed to take them

In restaurants in France it can happen you cannot leave an electronic tip. Their systems don't allow them to add a tip. If you want to tip, you have to tip cash, which I usually do not have with me. Last time I had this was in one of the Disney Village restaurants.

So I am going out on a limb here to guess your answer to the question asked is… ‘no.?’

Yes, it is a no My first suggestion would be a positive review, because that brings in new customers and more revenue.
Second would be snacks/candy from your destination.
I would never bring back anyone, including friends and family, a miniature eifel tower when visiting Paris. Because they weren't there, they have no memories of that place. And unless something exceptional happened when booking your trip, your TA will probably forget who the gift was from.

But let's go back to the topic. Let's say in the future it is custom in the US to tip/gift your TA, what would it be? A percentage of your spend, a fixed amount, if it is a gift, what should be the value?

 

[JAM9842]

I have sent our TA a Disney gift card a few times when we have had a more complex sailing situation. We have been using her for 13 years and she has been so great to us.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I used to work in a book store at a large train station and one day an American comes in. He had a gift with him for whoever he was visiting and he wanted it gift wrapped. I said "no problem", wrapped the gift and wished him a nice day. He gave me 10 euro.
At first I didn't understand what he was doing and asked if he needed change. I was a poor student, so I took it. Don't think we even had a policy on accepting tips.


In restaurants in France it can happen you cannot leave an electronic tip. Their systems don't allow them to add a tip. If you want to tip, you have to tip cash, which I usually do not have with me. Last time I had this was in one of the Disney Village restaurants.


Yes, it is a no My first suggestion would be a positive review, because that brings in new customers and more revenue.
Second would be snacks/candy from your destination.
I would never bring back anyone, including friends and family, a miniature eifel tower when visiting Paris. Because they weren't there, they have no memories of that place. And unless something exceptional happened when booking your trip, your TA will probably forget who the gift was from.

But let's go back to the topic. Let's say in the future it is custom in the US to tip/gift your TA, what would it be? A percentage of your spend, a fixed amount, if it is a gift, what should be the value?

my apologies if you thought my original question was philosophical in nature lol. I should have guessed you were dutch. smiles.

My question was sincere, not interested in the politics of tipping, just I haven't used a TA since my honeymoon (around the time you were born) and just didnt want to be stiffing my TA. My situation is a bit more complex, in that I won't be using her services moving forward for a variety of reasons so recommending her is not appropriate , rewarding her with more business isn't going to happen, but I like to leave on good terms.

But you are right, I am the type that doesn't mind tipping people that do jobs that make my life easier, especially if I perceive under difficult conditions or time consuming. But why not? From time to time in my career I have gotten bonuses for my work (scientific).

And.. I also find when I tip well, I get even better service in the future. That has worked well for me in a couple of emergencies (well first world emergencies lol)

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I was a travel agent for 11 years and I got 1 gift from a client who lived in Thailand. He sent me something from his home country, which was sweet. I also once got a gift card from a potential client who ended up not booking through me. She felt bad she made me do a lot of work for nothing. So no, I would not say it is common. The best "gift" I could have gotten would have been a good review on the after trip survey, which many did.

As a TA I've never been tipped and would actively discourage it. A nice note and a positive review goes a long way. If you really want to go above and beyond, a small (inexpensive) thoughtful gift is also welcome (bonus points if it's consumable so it doesn't create clutter)--either something from your trip or something that is personal to you.

I really do appreciate the insider view (and the other responses!).. thank you.

 

[auntlynne]

No.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Why would anyone think of tipping someone in a professional position? Would you tip the accountant who does your taxes?

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Why would anyone think of tipping someone in a professional position? Would you tip the accountant who does your taxes?

actually, yes, I have in fact done exactly that lol. when my father passed on his accountant was extremely helpful sorting things out, did so in a timely basis during the business season, and minimized pain for me. I tipped him for that. maybe I should stop using the trigger word 'tip' and say 'gift with appreciation.' lol

anyway.. gosh.. I was just asking to make sure, as simple as that. I have done 5 cruises with this TA, clearly had not put much thought into it before this, and figured this was the place to ask questions