Tipping standards?

[TerryCRZ]

Hi everyone!

Well it's been a while since I've been to any resort and have lost track of whats standard and customary for tipping. I was wondering about the housekeeping. I don't want to over tip or under tip. What would you say is the norm? Also what other personell will I need to be prepared to tip. Just want to make sure I'm ready cashwise. We usually rely alot on plastic.

Thanks!

 

[LeslieR]

I think standard is $2-$5 per day for housekeeping. You should tip the luggage guy $2 for the first bag and $1 for each bag after that.

I got this information off the internet. you can google tipping to find more examples.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I tip, too, for the turndown service ($3).
If you valet it's $2 every time you pick up the car.

 

[Bexx]

What about room service?

 

[DanielG]

What about room service?

I'll relate my experience...

My wife had gotten quite sunburned on our trip to the beach (her birthday) last year and didn't feel like spending a night out, so we ordered room service. When I ordered, the menu stated that the meal, tax, delivery fee, and a gratuity would be included on my ticket when I received my meal, which it was. Naturally me, being a bit naive (maybe) assumed that that the 18 percent I was already paying would be enough for the server who walked into the room and set up the serving tray. Apparently he had other ideas. I resisted the urge to offer him MORE money, but it was one of the more uncomfortable minutes I've spent in a hotel, watching him delay his trip back downstairs for as long as possible and all but ask for money.

Was I wrong? Should I have given him an extra tip? I generally tip 18% for average service, and an additional 2-7% for over and above service. He wasn't extraordinarily good (or bad), just average. What would you have done? If it matters, a typical tip would have cost me close to $20.

Daniel

 

[LeslieR]

I think if its included then you've already paid.

I wonder if the guy who delivers the food has to split the 18% with others?

 

[Bexx]

I'll relate my experience...

My wife had gotten quite sunburned on our trip to the beach (her birthday) last year and didn't feel like spending a night out, so we ordered room service. When I ordered, the menu stated that the meal, tax, delivery fee, and a gratuity would be included on my ticket when I received my meal, which it was. Naturally me, being a bit naive (maybe) assumed that that the 18 percent I was already paying would be enough for the server who walked into the room and set up the serving tray. Apparently he had other ideas. I resisted the urge to offer him MORE money, but it was one of the more uncomfortable minutes I've spent in a hotel, watching him delay his trip back downstairs for as long as possible and all but ask for money.

Was I wrong? Should I have given him an extra tip? I generally tip 18% for average service, and an additional 2-7% for over and above service. He wasn't extraordinarily good (or bad), just average. What would you have done? If it matters, a typical tip would have cost me close to $20.

Daniel

This is why I asked - exactly the same thing happened with us. I even think the included gratuity was 22%, so we also assumed (again perhaps naively) that that was enough.

but it was one of the more uncomfortable minutes I've spent in a hotel, watching him delay his trip back downstairs for as long as possible and all but ask for money.

I found it awful. Our server shuffled and tutted his way slowly to the door, and I spent the evening feeling terrible. If I did the wrong the thing, I can only apologise for denying this chap his rightful dues. If I thought that it hadn't already been accounted for, I most certainly would have tipped him.

 

[ky07]

This is why I asked - exactly the same thing happened with us. I even think the included gratuity was 22%, so we also assumed (again perhaps naively) that that was enough.



I found it awful. Our server shuffled and tutted his way slowly to the door, and I spent the evening feeling terrible. If I did the wrong the thing, I can only apologise for denying this chap his rightful dues. If I thought that it hadn't already been accounted for, I most certainly would have tipped him.

If it is already added to your bill then the guy doesn't need to be double tipped and he knew it and thats what burns me up and I know they do a hard job but there is no sense in trying to rip people off

 

[DanielG]

This is why I asked - exactly the same thing happened with us. I even think the included gratuity was 22%, so we also assumed (again perhaps naively) that that was enough.

It may have been 22%, I just remember it seemed fair enough when I saw it.

I found it awful. Our server shuffled and tutted his way slowly to the door, and I spent the evening feeling terrible. If I did the wrong the thing, I can only apologise for denying this chap his rightful dues. If I thought that it hadn't already been accounted for, I most certainly would have tipped him.

We may have had the same server LOL. Seems like we have similar consciences. Instead of enjoying my wife's birthday meal, we spent the entire time debating and feeling guilty about not giving him a tip. It didn't seem to bother my 5 year old though, LOL.

Daniel

 

[countingmomma]

dh is a great tipper for good service, but if they automatically add the gratuity, that's all they get.

 

[Bexx]

We may have had the same server LOL. Seems like we have similar consciences. Instead of enjoying my wife's birthday meal, we spent the entire time debating and feeling guilty about not giving him a tip. It didn't seem to bother my 5 year old though, LOL.

The similarity of our two evenings is almost uncanny!!

I'm also happy to learn that I didn't do the wrong thing

 

[NH-R-T-Cha]

I found that it's a good idea to read all of the bill when it comes.
Jakes Restaurant at RPR didn't add in the tip ... but the Bula Beach Bar by the pool did.

 

[TerryCRZ]

Thank you all so much for your replies. My biggest concern was housekeeping since we can't really afford room service or any of the finer restaurants this time around. It's gonna be a bit hard avoiding the food inside Universal since we WILL be staying on site. I guess it's the price we pay for wanting to get the fast pass. LOL. I wouldn't consider staying off site anyway since we already got used to staying on site at Disney.

Can't wait!!!!

 

[Tinker-tude]

The similarity of our two evenings is almost uncanny!!

I'm also happy to learn that I didn't do the wrong thing

I wonder if there are a LOT of people who don't realize the gratuity was already added to the bill, who give them tips anyway? If so, I can understand the expectation of something (just 'cuz that's the norm for them), even though it isn't neccessary to give them more.

 

[geeech]

After reading bill, i always ask how the gratuity % is split up. If they tell me they get it all. I say thanks, well deserved. If its split i'll give a couple xtra dollars for avg to good service. If there's an attitude its "Thanks, have a good evening. I am always a generous tipper for avg to good service. I wont tip for bad service, with that said a smile on your face and timeliness is all i need for a good tip.

 

[ky07]

After reading bill, i always ask how the gratuity % is split up. If they tell me they get it all. I say thanks, well deserved. If its split i'll give a couple xtra dollars for avg to good service. If there's an attitude its "Thanks, have a good evening. I am always a generous tipper for avg to good service. I wont tip for bad service, with that said a smile on your face and timeliness is all i need for a good tip.

I am the same way and we had an experiance last year at Margarittaville where our waiter was totally ignoring us and going to other tables because what I think they were nicer dressed and we were casual dressed in jeans and tshirts and I guess he thought he would get bigger tips from the others .
So when the bill came and I paid with credit card and on the slip it asked the amount of tip I put 0 and hate doing that but I don't tip bad service.

 

[kellymonaghan]

I found that it's a good idea to read all of the bill when it comes.
Jakes Restaurant at RPR didn't add in the tip ... but the Bula Beach Bar by the pool did.

The beach restaurants at all the hotels add an automatic tip.