Have you ever tipped the CM checking you in??

[Gymbomom]

When we talk about upgrades..it makes me wonder how much control the CM at the counter has in upgrading you. Has the room already been assigned to you and they had nothing to do with it? Or, is there a "pool" of rooms they can pull from to upgrade a select few.....

As I was thinking about this I thought about my recent trip to Vegas. I had heard about the infamous $20 trick to get upgraded. Well my sil and I both went to the counter at our hotel...she was already to chicken and told me so to slide a $20 to the person checking us in. So I take out a $20 bill and put it beside my wallet (in full view of her) as i took out my cc and dl to give to her. I asked her about the possibility of upgrading to a strip view with a view of the volcano. (we were booked standard parking lot view) Well, she upgraded us we got a beautiful view of the strip, high up and not far down on the end. After we received our upgrade I folded the $20 and gave it to her discreetly.
My sil got the parking lot view.
So, that made wonder would it ever work at other hotels???
Has anyone tried or had someone that tried??

 

[lark]

As I understand it, there are definitely times when CMs have discretion to give you a room in a higher category than you've reserved.

However, front desk CMs are not allowed to accept tips. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this would be a fireable offense if they took the money.

That doesn't mean that it never happens, although I would think it's very very rare, and it's hard to imagine $20 doing the trick if the CM could be fired. I would think in most cases it would also be counterproductive -- meaning even if the CM has discretion to give you an upgrade, you probably would do better just being really nice or simply asking than you would by offering a tip that the CM can't take.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Front desk cast members are strictly forbidden from accepting tips.

Most upgrades are already pre-assigned by the room assigner.

As for how to ask for one... it really depends on the CM. Usually asking real nice, and acknowleding that if they dont have any available, that its okay, but if they could check.

 

[KrisTX]

I know we have gone over this before, but it seems like a good time to ask again...Are the CMs in SLC allowed to receive tips?

 

[SnackyStacky]

There's a fine line between a tip and a bribe.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I know we have gone over this before, but it seems like a good time to ask again...Are the CMs in SLC allowed to receive tips?

No, Concierge cast members also fall under the no tipping rule.

Housekeepers and Luggage Assistance (at the values) cast members are the only non-tipped cast members that are allowed to keep tips, so long as they don't solicit them.

 

[bicker]

And initially decline them when offered.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We tried a few years ago, but because the CM was nice. We had already payed for a higher room but she was playing with DS and he was having a ball. We just wanted to give a token of our appreciation but she said that she couldn't accept it. We did however send a note to guest relations and hopefully something good came of it.

 

[Tigger714]

Alright, now I'm confused and I thought I had this one figured out. I am staying at WL......can the CM's there accept tips? Does this apply to bell hops, housekeeping, etc? I was there two years ago and found that tipping (and a dose of friendliness) got me a long way..... And if they can't keep them, who does????????

 

[KrisTX]

No, Concierge cast members also fall under the no tipping rule.

Housekeepers and Luggage Assistance (at the values) cast members are the only non-tipped cast members that are allowed to keep tips, so long as they don't solicit them.

What about the luggage people/bell hops/luggage room deliverers? I just can't imagine walking into a hotel, being whisked to SLC, shown to my room and not giving a single dollar to anyone. After staying at the Bellagio a few times this year, I have gotten very accustomed to being a walking cash distributor. Not that I mind paying for services, it just seems excessive there.

I am making mousekeeping envelopes to bring with me.

 

[lark]

What about the luggage people/bell hops/luggage room deliverers? I just can't imagine walking into a hotel, being whisked to SLC, shown to my room and not giving a single dollar to anyone. After staying at the Bellagio a few times this year, I have gotten very accustomed to being a walking cash distributor. Not that I mind paying for services, it just seems excessive there.

I am making mousekeeping envelopes to bring with me.

Tip all the same people at WDW that you would tip anywhere -- luggage, bell services, the valet people, housekeeping, poolside bartenders, etc.

Just not concierge or front desk CMs. I think managers can't take tips either.

 

[KrisTX]

Thanks Lark! So the blanket concept that all CMs can't take tips is not correct. Good to know.

 

[lark]

Thanks Lark! So the blanket concept that all CMs can't take tips is not correct. Good to know.

Right -- I think in a post above I was responding to the OP, and I wasn't careful to note that it was just "front desk CMs" that couldn't take the tips -- I've edited it.

 

[KrisTX]

Right -- I think in a post above I was responding to the OP, and I wasn't careful to note that it was just "front desk CMs" that couldn't take the tips -- I've edited it.

It is not just your post. I have read it from other people too

 

[Tigger714]

Thank you for the clarification! I think I would be mortified not to tip a bellhop, housekeeper, etc. I have my mousekeeping envelopes ready too! Only 5 days!!!!!!

 

[WONDER26FEB06]

Hi,

I worked at CBR as a front desk clerk (best job of my life, besides being a mom). Anyway, we would get fired if we took a tip. HOWEVER, if you come across a great CM, please fill out a guest comment card and use their name. The CM gets a special certificate and it goes on their employment file. It is really a big deal. I got one and it was awesome.
As far as other CM's like mousekeeping, bell desk, other jobs where you usually tip are allowed to take tips. Please tip them well if they derserve it. It's great working for The Mouse, but he doesn't pay well. (There are lots of perks but not in the paycheck).

P.S. My plan is to work for him again when I retire.

 

[Gymbomom]

Hi,

I worked at CBR as a front desk clerk (best job of my life, besides being a mom). Anyway, we would get fired if we took a tip. HOWEVER, if you come across a great CM, please fill out a guest comment card and use their name. The CM gets a special certificate and it goes on their employment file. It is really a big deal. I got one and it was awesome.
As far as other CM's like mousekeeping, bell desk, other jobs where you usually tip are allowed to take tips. Please tip them well if they derserve it. It's great working for The Mouse, but he doesn't pay well. (There are lots of perks but not in the paycheck).

P.S. My plan is to work for him again when I retire.

Great info!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!