Tipping and Valet parking

[jbhaupt]

Hello,

I am confused as to tipping. When I have Valeted at the GF, I only tip when the car comes back..usually $5. I have been told you should tip $3 upon it going and $3 when it comes back. How does everyone else tip??

Thanks,
Bonnie

 

[JimC]

The norm is one to two dollars when the car is returned.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

A tip when dropping off the car is optional. Traditionally, a tip is only expected when the car is returned to you.

But, if you are pleasantly received when you drive up -- the valet parking attendent opens the door for your passenger or you, and greets you -- why not also tip at drop-off?

I usually tip $2 at drop-off and $2-5 (usually $3) at return, depending on the circumstances and the service.

A $2 tip only at return was the norm 15 years ago. It seems reasonable to tip more in 2004 than in 1989.

 

[kathleena]

We tip when we drop off ONLY if we are just arriving and the valet takes care of our luggage. If they don't make a move for it and we lug it out ourselves, no tip.

We tip when picking up $3-4 depending on how many ones we have!

 

[Dean]

Tipping etiquette would dictate a tip on pick up and $1-2 is usually suggested. But if it's raining or they do something else, it's reasonable to tip more or at other times like drop off.

 

[dallastxcpa]

It may be etiquette, but I have to disagree with only tipping upon pickup. The valet is still doing the same amount of work taking your car out to the valet lot and then running back to serve the next guest.

He/she is providing you a service. I have to say not having to walk from some of those parking lots is well worth a few dollars tip.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by dallastxcpa
It may be etiquette, but I have to disagree with only tipping upon pickup. The valet is still doing the same amount of work taking your car out to the valet lot and then running back to serve the next guest.

He/she is providing you a service. I have to say not having to walk from some of those parking lots is well worth a few dollars tip.

The thinking is that either it evens out or they pool the tips. On average they should all get about the same number of trips both ways. I guess one could tip half each way and it would even out as well. But anyone can tip if they want. On a side note, WDW formally considers the mousekeeping staff to be a NON tipped position, some tip anyway, others do not.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Dean
Tipping etiquette would dictate a tip on pick up and $1-2 is usually suggested. But if it's raining or they do something else, it's reasonable to tip more or at other times like drop off.

Although I agree that a tip on return only is perfectly proper (although I tip at drop off and return), I diagree that "$1-2 is usually suggested" -- unless those suggestions were written 20 years ago.

 

[Pa@okw95]

You tip when pick the car up. I usually $5 or more depending on the situation. When you drop the car off, you do not tip. At WDW the valets have the public hoodwinked on this subject probably because a lot of people do not valet park normally. The valet that opens the door for you when you arrive, if they do, and gives you the ticket may not take your car to the parking lot as one has suggested. They use your car to drive down to get one they have to pick up if there is someone waiting. I don't tip waiters part way through the meal either, I wait for the service to be over before I tip anyone.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
Although I agree that a tip on return only is perfectly proper (although I tip at drop off and return), I diagree that "$1-2 is usually suggested" -- unless those suggestions were written 20 years ago.

http://www.findalink.net/tippingetiquette.php http://www.bremercommunications.com/Tipping.htm http://www.hobart.k12.in.us/hhsnew/academics/gt/ch10.html
http://www.upgradebuddy.com/docs/Tipping-Etiquette-For-Summer-Travelers-.html
http://life.togosolo.com/mobile/thread.php?topic_id=18
Info from Allearsnet
I found one place that suggested $2-3 but several that suggested only $1. Most were $1-2 on pickup. Thus we disagree on the current suggested amounts but as noted, it's only a guideline and should be individualized.

 

[Sammie]

Regardless of the "standard" I truely think this is an individual situation and there is no wrong way.

We tip going and coming because someone is driving my car both ways. Actually the person taking your car to the lot is more valuable to me in that person decides where you car is parked.
I want that service rewarded.

Very seldom do we get the same person going and coming so I like to tip both.

If you choose to tip on the return of your car that is certainly acceptable and the standard.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Another point is that the valet that greets you when you arrive may not even BE the person who takes your car to the lot. Occasionally--if they are busy--your car may sit for a while and some other person (other than the one to whom you just gave $2.00) may be the one driving it to the lot.
Anyway--I find myself tipping $2.00 at drop-off and $2.00 at pick-up. Theory being that I THINK they pool tips (?)

 

[jimmytammy]

Our last trip we used valet service at VWL. It was great! I read a post similar to this one to get some of the same answers. Most said they tip $1-$2 coming and going. We tipped $1 each time because we truly didnt know who drove our vehicle.

 

[KarenP99]

We tipped $3 for pickup AND drop off. One thing to be weary of, we are DVC members, and when reviewing our final bill we noticed 3x where they charged us the $6 for Valet (they kindly took it off). When we were checking in there was a guest disputing valet charges, he didn't even have a car!

So check your bill!
Karen

 

[canda]

I used to be a Valet. The person that opens the door for you is not in most cases the one who parked your car. they are the "control person" They keep cars and guest flowing at the entrance. they may move your car to a line, where "runners" take cars back and forth to the lot.

most of the time Your car at drop off will sit until some wants to pick up a car. This way we can drive back and forth instead of having to run.

A valet should not expect or demand a tip. They should never hold there hand out for a tip. A tip is a kind expression from the guest. a .25 should be recieved with the same graditude as a $5 bill.
Tips are pooled and it does even out. The normal tip still today is 1-2 at pick up. Valets are min. wage to $8 per hour position.

Some guest do not tip at all, and some guest tip at the end of their stay. They may come down to the desk and give the captain a $20. Sometimes they may say to us, I'll make sure to catch you next time.

A good valet should be reading your name on the card in the window and address you by name when they drop off your car.

Anyway, tipping should be what you want, not what is expected.
If you feel comfortable with no tip, then that is your right. You will get the same service. If you give 1-3 then that should be fine. If you worry all week that you are not giving enough, then give what you are comfortable with. An extra dollar or two is worth it to keep your mind at peace.

If you give 5-10 dollars, then it goes in the "other pocket" and a 1 dollar bill gets dropped in the pool. (thats a little valet trick)

 

[jbhaupt]

Thanks for all those great reply's. I prefer to tip at pick up, but the same amt divided by 2 is fine also.
I think the pooling and spliting of tips is the only way to go, making sure all valets get their share.

Bonnie