Let's talk about valet parking...

[DanenRox]

So we're here at VWL....a spectacular resort (first time). With the change in DDP maybe we're a little too focused on the etiquette of gratuities. My husband is overthinking his valet tipping style and suggested I "bring it to the boards".
Is it proper to tip valet when they...
a) take your car
b) return your car
c) both
and the bonus question...how much?
Since I'm asking I think it's fair I share our habits...we call for our car 0-2 times daily and will tip $2.00 upon each receipt of our vehicle. We think that's fair but since my husband is so focused on this he asked a valet who said the common tip is $5.00. Really? C'mon now, am I just cheap or is this kid a future car salesman. (with all due respect to car salesmen).

 

[daisyduck123]

We only tip when we have our car brought to us (2 or 3 times a day).

DH tips $3.00-$5.00 each time.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I usually slip them a $5 when I pick up the car. Usually don't tip when I drop it off.

 

[Granny]

I tend to tip $3 on drop off and pick up each. If they help us with anything I tip $5 or more depending on what extra service they provide.

I would venture to guess that the "common tip" is not $5 based on my observations (yeah, I keep an eye out to see if I'm a cheapskate!) . Unfortunately, I have to say that I have seen many, many people (maybe 20%?) not give any tip at all when picking up. I guess they have that "this place is already costing a fortune" mentality.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We do $2 to drop off and $2 to pick up. But we don't use it very often.

 

[Dean]

Do a search yourself for tipping etiquitte. What you'll find is that it's customary to tip on pick up and you'll see sites for the most part that say $1-2 and ones that say $2-3. Same for Bags, it's customary to tip at the final destination only, room on arrival and car on departure. You'll likely have people tell you that it's different people each time but each and every system has a way of averaging, sharing or evening out the tips. Above that I'd consider tipping for additional service, inclement weather, etc. Ultimately it's your choice.

 

[keishashadow]

DH insists on tipping $3 when we drop off the car & @ least $3 when retrieving...if they hustle; they get $5

 

[DisDaydreamer]

The last time I used valet parking was at my high school prom in 1974.

Actually, it was a blind date... a favor for a friend of a friend. We got married in 1975 and are still very happily married.

 

[snowbunny]

We do $2 to drop off and $2 to pick up.

Same here

 

[drusba]

Business travelers that use valet generally tip only when the car is brought back for the their use. Amounts range, but many tip $3 and many higher (seldom over $5 and many lower (that $2); in fact I am aware of corporate rules for business travelers which say they will only be reimbursed up to a maximum of $3 for valet tipping. You can tip both ways or go higher or lower. My personal sense is that $2 is tad low and is a standard that existed more than 10 years ago and and thus adjusting for inflation you should be at $3. Personally I do $3 or $5 when car is brought back and the $5 usually results from my not having three ones at the time. Of course, this is not an area where you must follow what anyone else does. Tipping both ways is fine (and obviously appreciated by the employees.

 

[ITGirl50]

I hate tipping valet, but we usually tip three dollars both ways. I still think that's a lot of money for the small amount of time they actually help you. Now I know just to tip on pick-up. I prefer to tip someone who does some work (wait staff, bell services, mousekeeping). MY DH tips $2 per bag for bell services if they bring them to the room or hold our bags.

I insist on tipping mousekeeping $5 a day. I used to tip $2 per day, but they do a lot more work for you than vallet or bell services. Why do they get very low or no tips? Is it because they aren't there to look you in the eye when they provide a service? I just remembered, DVC members don't have to worry about mousekeeping tipping that much.

 

[Maxwell]

I do $2 on drop off and $2 on pick up. I think that is reasonable.