Tipping for Valet Parking at the On-Site Hotels

[JeannieJay]

For valet parking, do you tip both when they take your car and when they bring it to you? Or just when they bring it? I'd always understood that you only tipped when they brought the car around for you, but I'm finding some sites that say you tip both then and when you hand the car over to them to park.

I want to ensure my tipping etiquette is right.

 

[whoever]

We do a 5-spot when they take it or bring it.

That's pretty good $ for unskilled labor pulling up a vehicle IMHO.

 

[Malcon10t]

We also do $5 each way.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I do hotel reviews for a well-known travel guide. We're specifically told to tip when they bring the car back and that's the only thing we get reimbursed for, so I think that's pretty normal. My husband travels on business very frequently, like he's AA Platinum Pro frequent traveler. He tips the same way I do, tip on pickup only.

 

[JeannieJay]

So for valet service, it's basically $20/day more than self-park if you tip each way. We've never done valet parking before. We're staying at the Grand Californian. Would you say it's worth it? Does it take very long for them to bring the vehicle over?

 

[Malcon10t]

I do hotel reviews for a well-known travel guide. We're specifically told to tip when they bring the car back and that's the only thing we get reimbursed for, so I think that's pretty normal. My husband travels on business very frequently, like he's AA Platinum Pro frequent traveler. He tips the same way I do, tip on pickup only.

Outside of Disneyland, we only tip on pick up. But at DLH and GCH, we tip both on drop off and pick up. I think it is because the valets there are always more helpful.

 

[onlyoneash]

I agree. Pickup only is technically the proper etiquette. However, if you tip for drop off and pickup, I'm sure the valets won't complain...

 

[StormyCA]

We tip both ways although I know that tipping etiquette says only at pick up. The valets always go above and beyond, helping load/unload bags, etc, that I feel they deserve it. They do much more than just handover keys and drive off like most valet places do.

 

[whoever]

What about the Bell Svcs. I think etiquette is $1/bag. Do you do it only on delivery, or on them unloading and taking it as well? I think we end up with a LOT in tips on our trips. $5 valet and $20 Bell when we drop the vehicle off. $20 at the room when they drop off. $20 for pick up from room and another $25 between Bell and Valet when we leave. That's $90 in tips just for moving some luggage and driving the vehicle.

 

[GeneralTso]

We tip only when they bring the car around. We use valet at the GC, and it's very fast. Even when it's busy, they truly hustle.

 

[Nonsuch]

We also do $5 each way.

We do a 5-spot when they take it or bring it.
That's pretty good $ for unskilled labor pulling up a vehicle IMHO.

We also tip the valet at GCH $5 each way.
The CM that greets arriving cars often unloads bags and writes both the bell service and valet tickets, and since I'm always in such a great mood arriving that is a $20 tip -- I suspect that is one of the best paid "unskilled" jobs at DLR.

So for valet service, it's basically $20/day more than self-park if you tip each way. We've never done valet parking before. We're staying at the Grand Californian. Would you say it's worth it? Does it take very long for them to bring the vehicle over?

I consider valet part of the luxury hotel experience, but is not essential at GCH. Guests may temporarily leave cars in front of the hotel (let CM know) while checking in, then drive across the Disneyland Drive to the self-park lot. Call the valet from your room (there's a button on the phone), and your car will be waiting when you get downstairs.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Outside of Disneyland, we only tip on pick up. But at DLH and GCH, we tip both on drop off and pick up. I think it is because the valets there are always more helpful.

This is what we do also, and hate the statement "worth it" What is "worth it" to me, may not be to others.

Jack

 

[whoever]

I consider valet part of the luxury hotel experience, .

Honestly, for the price, Valet should be included at the Grand. Just saying...

 

[Malcon10t]

So, first let's preface this by saying we usually travel with 3-4 adults, 1-2 preteen/teens, my granddaughter (6), and 2 service dogs (lab/goldens, one hearing, one stability.) So we travel with bags, bags for dogs, crates, first aid kits, etc. (Usually the count is 15-17 bags.) We have a full suburban, sometimes, like this weekend, the suburban and a small suv.

OK, upon arrival, $5 to valet, usually $10 to the dude unloading the car onto baggage racks. The bellman who delivers our stuff usually gets $20-30, but he also separates the luggage for us (long story) and gets ice. During trip, things I left in the car that the valet runs out and gets (ie charging cables, batteries), $5. Upon departure, valet $5, bellman (he picks up and loads car, brings packages we bought during trip and returns the ECV) $20-30. ($50 at Christmas.) Worth it is a personal opinion. For me, this makes my daughter's and my lives easier, so it is definitely worth it. For others, they may not see value in it.

 

[az4boys]

So, first let's preface this by saying we usually travel with 3-4 adults, 1-2 preteen/teens, my granddaughter (6), and 2 service dogs (lab/goldens, one hearing, one stability.) So we travel with bags, bags for dogs, crates, first aid kits, etc. (Usually the count is 15-17 bags.) We have a full suburban, sometimes, like this weekend, the suburban and a small suv.

OK, upon arrival, $5 to valet, usually $10 to the dude unloading the car onto baggage racks. The bellman who delivers our stuff usually gets $20-30, but he also separates the luggage for us (long story) and gets ice. During trip, things I left in the car that the valet runs out and gets (ie charging cables, batteries), $5. Upon departure, valet $5, bellman (he picks up and loads car, brings packages we bought during trip and returns the ECV) $20-30. ($50 at Christmas.) Worth it is a personal opinion. For me, this makes my daughter's and my lives easier, so it is definitely worth it. For others, they may not see value in it.

Just curious - do they all know your routine since you visit often? That seems like a lot of instructions to give if you have to explain the details every time.

 

[JeannieJay]

Thanks for all the input. It's just DH and I, and we will each have a carry on suitcase. So not a bunch of luggage to worry about, just the rental car. I'll make sure to tip both when the bring the car and when we drop it off.

It's out first time staying around the parks, because we previously had family in the area that we were visiting, so the whole thing is an unknown to me at this point.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Just curious - do they all know your routine since you visit often? That seems like a lot of instructions to give if you have to explain the details every time.

It's not so much a "routine"...but when you start tipping generously and are cheerful and appreciative, most valets and bellmen...especially at the DLR...will start going way above and beyond on their own accord which is what is being described.

 

[az4boys]

It's not so much a "routine"...but when you start tipping generously and are cheerful and appreciative, most valets and bellmen...especially at the DLR...will start going way above and beyond which is what is being described.

I totally get that, but they first have to understand what you want. Even though staying at the Grand is not in our budget, I agree that the tips would be well worth some of the conveniences.

 

[Malcon10t]

Just curious - do they all know your routine since you visit often? That seems like a lot of instructions to give if you have to explain the details every time.

It's not so much a "routine"...but when you start tipping generously and are cheerful and appreciative, most valets and bellmen...especially at the DLR...will start going way above and beyond on their own accord which is what is being described.

Generally, when we pull up, I hear "Ms. P, great to have you back, how are the dogs?? <to other valets> I have them!" I get checked in while kids handle valet and bellman. When we get to room, many of the bellmen know the "routine", otherwise it is usually "All the dog stuff goes in that room"... Then they usually ask "Can I get you ice?"

On departure, when the bellman is loading the car, one of the older kids will let them know which bags go in last (we have 4 drop off spots, so the better organized it is, the easier it is.) Then the bellman grabs our tags and my ECV, runs it back, brings back out merchandise and we are set. Not really a lot of explanations, I don't think.

Many if not most bellman and valets do know us on sight.

Tomorrow, I will be heading to the DLH in the AM to check in. I know how busy they will be, so plan on coming armed with a few dozen donuts from M&M donuts around the corner. Its fun to watch their faces as they go "Really??"

 

[whoever]

Tomorrow, I will be heading to the DLH in the AM to check in. I know how busy they will be, so plan on coming armed with a few dozen donuts from M&M donuts around the corner. Its fun to watch their faces as they go "Really??"

That's a pretty awesome gesture. Enjoy the trip!