Giving a tip on valet parking

[Sue's Mum]

How much do you give? Just trying to get an idea of an average amount.

 

[PamOKW]

There seems to be a wide range. There are also some who tip both ways and some who tip on pick-up. Unless it's particularly hot, rainy or cold, I generally give a $5-$6 tip split between drop-off and pick-up. If I were staying for an extended period and taking the car in and out, I'd take it down to about $2 each way.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We generally tip $2.00 at drop-off and $2.oo at pick-up. We love using the valet parking. Sure saves on time when visiting other resorts, not to mention wear and tear on the already tired feet.

We had our son, on the College Program, meet us at the Boardwalk this past weekend. We had him pull up behind us and then valet parked both cars. Have to say, I bet the valet guys have probably not had the pleasure of parking too many beat-up, dirty 91 Blazers. That vehicle really looked out of place, if you know what I mean.

 

[DebbieB]

I usually do $2 dropoff/$2 pickup at BWV. When we are checking in, I give $5 to the valet who takes the luggage out of the trunk and into storage. Then $5 to the bellman who brings it up to the room (we usually have 2 large bags & 2 small). At check-out, we usually have an early flight and don't store luggage, so I give $5 to the bellman who takes it straight from the room to the car. Usually a valet who pulled it up is standing there with the keys, I give him $2.

 

[pumpkinboy]

since I usually give a single when I get the car from the valet at Children's Hospital. But then, on vacation, I guess I have done $2 on normal dropoff and $2 on pickup (usually a two dollar bill, which is kinda fun, and might be mistaken for a $5), and then a $5 to the bellman. When at AKL two weeks back, I tipped this nice Haitian cabbie $20 on a $25 cab ride tho (round-trip), since it was pouring down rain, and the fare was to Publix to buy provisions for the week; this cabbie waited for me in the Publix lot in the pouring rain, so IMO this was money well-spent; plus, the $60 worth of groceries probably saved us $500+ over the week.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I tip $2 on drop off and $2 on pick-up, except when we first arrive. Then I tip $5 since the valet unloads the trunk (2 large bags and 1 shoulder carry-on). Also tip $5 for the bellperson who delivers the bags to the room (actually, I tip $1 per bag but not less than $5 for this service) and another $5 when we check out.

Ralph

 

[timC]

$2 in / $2 out.

 

[JimC]

Tipping guidelines:

my favorite:

http://www.passporter.com/articles/tipping.htm


another good reference:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/lani/010423LT.htm

 

[Sue's Mum]

Thanks everyone for your replies - most informative and helpful. Appreciated.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I did a lot of "research"on this very subject awhile back and as PAMOKW says, there seems to be a "wide range". I noticed that a # of professional travel sites, guides, etc recommend tipping only the person who brings your car to you. That, they say, is the person actually performing the service.
Anyway--I usually tip $2 to the person taking the car, and $2 to the person who brings it to me.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I guess I'm the only cheap SOB in these here parts. I'm a guidelines kind of guy..............when it comes to valet parking I tip $2 to the guy who delivers the car.

 

[KNWVIKING]

$2.00 each at drop off and pickup, same as I tip the casino valets.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Im sorry for the OT comment, but I always have to laugh when I watch the show $40 a day on the Food Network where the host visits different cities famous for their cuisine and stiffs the waiters on the tips to meet her $40 budget.

I really like the show but when she breaks down her tab, her tax and tip never total more than $1.87! I cringe everytime and feel so bad for the waitstaff that this woman is advertising being so cheap! LOL

That said, I normally tip $1 to $2 each way.

Hey Im on a budget too!!

 

[DaveBWV]

I just park it myself......you know what they say..a penny saved...guess i am just too impatient to wait for them to go get it when I want to go somewhere

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by DaveBWV
I just park it myself......you know what they say..a penny saved...

 

[twinmomplus2]

That cabbie you mentioned from AKL. Typically works that route. His sister is a mousekeeper at AKL. He is just great. Do you remember his name? I'd like to request him in december.

 

[pumpkinboy]

Sorry I don't remember his name, but he was great. He did not mention that he had a sister mousekeeping at AKL, but he may be that gentleman. Our conversations were almost entirely in French, since we both needed the practice, so I think his English is very good, but know his French is beautiful.. Waiting for me in the pouring rain was a godsend, and probably saved me 30-45 mins on the return trip so the tip was well worth it.

 

[twinmomplus2]

I am sure it was him. He is a linguist who speaks 6? languages. And is in college here now... Despite having 2 masters degrees, he is driving a cab. I am sure it was him, He drove me to the hospitol with a very sick 3 year old at midnight and had instructed the ER to call him when I was done. And when we came out at 3:30 am. He was right there waiting for us. one day later we were back to the ER and he was there, he said he heard the valet call for a car to celebration ER and wanted to make sure it wasn't me again. He again drove us both ways, and he made a scary situation a little less scary his kindness was most appreciated.