More tipping questions from an international visitor…

[ozliz]

I’m finally starting to feel comfortable with restaurants, Ubers and taxis for tipping purposes but despite many trips to the USA and Canada I’m still learning and struggling with other aspects of the culture.

For bell services, I’ve always tipped both the person that collected my bags and the person that delivered my bags when swapping resorts (fond of split stays). On one transfer occasion I’m planning to drop two bags only to bell services myself rather than asking them to collect from the room. Do I still tip when I drop them off myself if they don’t come to the room?

What about when I leave bags for storage on departure day? Do I tip when I leave them or collect them or both? Or do you only tip bell services when they come to your room and do more than just store bags?

Also, I’ve seen conflicting information regarding housekeeping at Disney resorts - is tipping expected/required or is this not a tipped position?

Thanks.

 

[zmdisneyworld]

I only tip when I get my things back. For example, I tip valet drivers when they bring my car back. I tip pizza delivery when I get the pizza, etc. Tip for bags when they are delivered, not dropped off. I would not necessarily tip bell services if they are just holding your bags. Delivering them, absolutely tip.

for housekeeping I usually leave a tip on the counter with a note that says “housekeeping”.

 

[nw6675]

Some is just simply personal preference. We always tip both ways for valet and bell services. . We do a daily tip for housekeeping as well.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I’m finally starting to feel comfortable with restaurants, Ubers and taxis for tipping purposes but despite many trips to the USA and Canada I’m still learning and struggling with other aspects of the culture.

For bell services, I’ve always tipped both the person that collected my bags and the person that delivered my bags when swapping resorts (fond of split stays). On one transfer occasion I’m planning to drop two bags only to bell services myself rather than asking them to collect from the room. Do I still tip when I drop them off myself if they don’t come to the room?

What about when I leave bags for storage on departure day? Do I tip when I leave them or collect them or both? Or do you only tip bell services when they come to your room and do more than just store bags?

Also, I’ve seen conflicting information regarding housekeeping at Disney resorts - is tipping expected/required or is this not a tipped position?

Thanks.

Housekeeping is not a tipped position. It’s not necessary to tip, personal preference.

 

[Eastern]

I tip for bags/cars upon retrieval/delivery. Tipping housekeeping is not required at Disney.

That being said, people will take your money whenever you want to give it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Highly personal, no real right or wrong, you'll read opinions and habits from all perspectives.

I generally tip at both beginning and ending interactions with bell services or valets.

I also leave a tip for housekeeping daily - I don't personally care if it's a 'tipped position' or not, that's between Disney and the employee and not really my concern. If you are going to clean up our rooms - something I highly value - I am more than happy to show my appreciation with money.

But again, highly personal topic.

 

[Robber Baron]

I usually tip baggage both ways, when dropping off and upon delivery.

Valet at Disney does not pool tips, so, I tip on dropoff and pickup there too.

Tipping housekeeping is a mixed bag. Many times we'll tip a few bucks a day, but it's not critical as it's not a tipped position. I always tip if I have a request for housekeeping, ie delivering a blanket or something. When daily housekeeping is going on I won't tip if they aren't doing a good job.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I tip for bags when they collect them from my car or my room and when they are delivered. I don’t generally tip when dropping them off myself- unless I’m angling for a quick pickup on a return a few hours later- and I don’t tip when picking them up myself.

Tipping housekeeping is a hot button issue in the world of American tipping, studies suggested the level Pre-Covid was 30% of us tip, 70% don’t. That one really is up to you.

 

[ozliz]

Thanks for all the responses.

For those saying theirs is personal, that’s exactly why I ask online as I know it’s not something you can discuss with people in person but the anonymity of the internet means people are more willing to discuss.

For those saying it’s personal preference, please note that I’m Australian. Therefore my personal preference is not to tip ever. Like most Australians I believe wages should be high enough that people don’t need tips and it’s an employers job not the customers to ensure their employees are paid. I’m not wanting to start a debate on this, just wanting to share the reality of the cultural differences which is why it’s so much easier for someone to simply say that in the USA you should do this and therefore I do that to respect the local culture. I don’t want to offend or be part of the responsibility of the staff not getting what they’re supposed to be getting.

Having said that, this was very helpful thanks.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks for all the responses.

For those saying theirs is personal, that’s exactly why I ask online as I know it’s not something you can discuss with people in person but the anonymity of the internet means people are more willing to discuss.

For those saying it’s personal preference, please note that I’m Australian. Therefore my personal preference is not to tip ever. Like most Australians I believe wages should be high enough that people don’t need tips and it’s an employers job not the customers to ensure their employees are paid. I’m not wanting to start a debate on this, just wanting to share the reality of the cultural differences which is why it’s so much easier for someone to simply say that in the USA you should do this and therefore I do that to respect the local culture. I don’t want to offend or be part of the responsibility of the staff not getting what they’re supposed to be getting.

Having said that, this was very helpful thanks.

At Disney, per union contract the housekeepers are paid at a rate that assumes they will not receive tips. This is in contrast to restaurant servers, who are paid at a rate that assumes they will receive tips. I hope this information is helpful.

 

[snikki]

I do not tip housekeeping daily since they aren't providing housekeeping services daily. (Deluxe now gets daily service) After a 9 night stay at CSR in November I got trash and towel service twice. No beds made, no actual cleaning done. I did tip upon checkout.

For bell services I tipped the person who picked up my bags and took them to be held for me while I went to the parks on check out day. When I went to pick them up I did not tip as she just went to the back and brought me my bags and I went outside to wait for my ride. We did not use bell services on arrival day since we had a late arrival. I did tip the man who took us on a golf cart to our room, with our bags and helped us carry them, and our groceries, to our room. He also gave us a lift to the bridge so we didn't have to walk as much to Three Bridges.

If doing a split stay I would tip if they are picking them up from my room. But if I am delivering them to bell services and handing them off to be moved I don't think I would tip.

 

[RoseGold]

Bell services are tipped positions. I give 5-10$ on both ends. I don't tip if I drop them off myself, but you could, I suppose. I'd also tip the bell services person who helps you to/from the Uber. I get a bunch of $5s at the bank before I go to Disney. I can see that being harder at an Australian bank, but maybe not?

I always leave some money for housekeepers in any American hotel, usually $20. And I decline all housekeeping, so it's just at the end. I read a book called Nickel and Dimed a long time ago that ingrained that in me. I leave it at the end, not this couple bucks daily or whatever. This is also smart, because the maid is the person who would note damage or something like that.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Bell services are tipped positions. I give 5-10$ on both ends. I don't tip if I drop them off myself, but you could, I suppose. I'd also tip the bell services person who helps you to/from the Uber. I get a bunch of $5s at the bank before I go to Disney. I can see that being harder at an Australian bank, but maybe not?

I always leave some money for housekeepers in any American hotel, usually $20. And I decline all housekeeping, so it's just at the end. I read a book called Nickel and Dimed a long time ago that ingrained that in me. I leave it at the end, not this couple bucks daily or whatever. This is also smart, because the maid is the person who would note damage or something like that.

Same here. I always bring a bunch of $5 bills as well.

 

[Eastern]

Another POV:

https://emilypost.com/advice/general-tipping-guide

 

[RoseGold]

LOL, you tip $2-$5 for pizza delivery in my neighborhood and your pizza is going to be on the sidewalk.

 

[sponica]

OP: Even within this country, you'll have very different approaches to tipping. Full disclosure: I'm an over tipper.

 

[DisneyHardin]

LOL, you tip $2-$5 for pizza delivery in my neighborhood and your pizza is going to be on the sidewalk.

I pretty much always tip $4 for pizza delivery unless the weather is bad, then I'll up it. The pizza we order is usually $16 + tax/delivery fee, so $4 is a 25% tip - I think that is pretty good.

 

[jimmymc]

If bell services is coming to my room, either collecting or dropping off, I will give them a few dollars. If I'm going to the desk, I don't tip.

I've always learned $1 per person, per day to the housekeepers, and you can leave that on the desk or nightstand when you leave. Even among Americans tipping housekeepers is debatable, and they aren't going to trash your room if you don't tip, but I still do.

 

[KristaZ]

I only tip bell services if they're bringing the bags to our room. We usually drop and pick up ourselves, so we don't tip unless we have a lot of bags and groceries for some reason (most of the time it's only 2 carry on sized bags). Housekeeping I always tipped around 2 dollars a day (2 people in the room), but then covid changed everything and housekeeping stopped doing anything other than emptying trash - and even that was never on a consistent schedule, so we stopped tipping.

 

[Mle8308]

I tip anyone who touches my bags $2 per bag, or a minimum of $5. Both ways, same with valet. Housekeeping is daily (when room is serviced daily), and $5 each day. May not need to tip housekeeping, but it does make a difference. We travelled with friends and they were in the room next us and had the same housekeeper. We both asked for extra conditioner and lotion. They got one of each, we got literally enough to last for 5 more vacations, and not just conditioner and lotion! I am still well stocked with H2O products! I worked in hospitality for many years and know what a few extra dollars can do.