Tipping the desk clerk

[SpaceAce]

On another board I read from somebody that they usually ask the desk clerk as they begin check-in if they are allowed to tip them for excellent service. Then they hand the clerk a $20 along with their credit card when it comes time to pay, and mention about any room upgrades available. They claim it works every time.

Anyone else have experiences like this?

Does that sound ethical?

 

[Feralpeg]

That procedure could very easily get a Disney CM fired. The desk clerks are not allowed to take tips. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen, but many CMs will tell you they are not allowed to take a tip.

 

[ziggylu]

When I checked us in at AKL a couple weeks ago, the desk clerk spent a long time working with the rooms manager to get us a King room. I just asked nicely but didn't try to bribe him(sorry...I know in places like Las Vegas it's expected to hand the clerk $20 when asking for an upgrade but it's really more a bribe than a tip when it's given up front). In the end he couldn't find a king for us but did get us moved to a much better savannah view than we'd orginally been assigned. Because he was so nice and went to so much effort I did offer him a tip($5) at the end of our discussion...but he insisted that it wasn't necessary. I didn't not realize that the desk clerks at Disney can't take tips, this is the first I've come across this in any hotel.

I assume that the concierges(both at the main desk and on the CL desk) are able to accept a tip for their services? We didn't require anything from the concierge on this trip but it would be good to know for future...

 

[Teacher510]

We did buy a gift for a concierge at the Swan who went all the way to MK to get a replacement frame for DD's portrait when the glass broke in the turnstile when we were leaving the park. We bought a marble box in Italy at Epcot and left it at the desk for her. She left us a thank you voicemail.

 

[Feralpeg]

You just need to be careful not to put the CMs in a bad position. They are not supposed to accept tips or gifts. Sometimes, the managers will allow them to accept something that can be enjoyed by the staff across the board, but most of the time they will turn you down. Attempting to tip a CM can put them in an uncomfortable position.

 

[Shorty82]

Then they hand the clerk a $20 along with their credit card when it comes time to pay, and mention about any room upgrades available. They claim it works every time.

That's not a tip, that's a bribe and bribes are unethical. If there's a room upgrade available the CM should say so if the guest asks without being bribed to do so.

Disney Cast Members are not allowed to take tips (except for waiters, valets, and other normally tipped positions).

 

[cdrn1]

On another board I read from somebody that they usually ask the desk clerk as they begin check-in if they are allowed to tip them for excellent service. Then they hand the clerk a $20 along with their credit card when it comes time to pay, and mention about any room upgrades available. They claim it works every time.

I think your friend has Disney World mixed up with Las Vegas.

 

[OKW Lover]

Most CM's at WDW are not allowed to take tips (those in non-tipped positions). The exception to this rule is when it would turn into a bad guest experience to continue to resist.

For example, if you offered a tip they are supposed to turn it down. If you again offer the tip, they are supposed to turn it down again. But if you do it a third time, then they can accept the tip rather than insult you by again refusing your money.

 

[klam_chowder]

I'd never thought to pony up a $20 for a better room - not because I'm cheap but because I think it's distasteful. Good to hear it's frowned up at WDW.

 

[7165red]

I worked for a large hotel chain and many times the desk clerk was tipped and it always helped get a better room. A concierge usually expects tips of they really go out of there way as a matter of fact in NYC hotels it's almost a must. It maybe very different at WDW as far a CM.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

I think your friend has Disney World mixed up with Las Vegas.

Sorry OP, the $20 trick doesn't work in WDW.

 

[drew64]

I would consider it a bribe and rather tacky also. A free upgrade offered is one thing, but if someone really wants an upgrade, do what others do and pay for the higher room category.

 

[SpaceAce]

Thanks everyone - it seemed rather "below board" when I read about it, but many people chimed in and said they do it all the time. That of course does not make it right. My immediate thought was that the desk clerk was getting money instead of the hotel which has the right to set the price for those rooms.

But on the other hand, maybe in NYC it is customary to tip the person, and just be a "culturally" accepted thing. Just doesn't seem normal to me.

 

[smfnj]

Sorry OP, the $20 trick doesn't work in WDW.

I wouldn't think $20 would work anywhere nowadays, maybe in 1970.

Steve

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

On another board I read from somebody that they usually ask the desk clerk as they begin check-in if they are allowed to tip them for excellent service. Then they hand the clerk a $20 along with their credit card when it comes time to pay, and mention about any room upgrades available. They claim it works every time.

Anyone else have experiences like this?

Does that sound ethical?

I don't think that could work for getting room upgrades, because I was told when they happen for free it comes up automatically in the computer.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I assume that the concierges(both at the main desk and on the CL desk) are able to accept a tip for their services?

1) NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. Tips.
2) Don't do it.
3) Concierge (lobby or CL) are not tipped positions, by union contract and policy.
4) Taking a tip can get them fired on-the-spot.
5) However, they can accept GIFTS of up to $75 in value - just no money.

NOTE: If they are forced by the guest to take a tip, the CM must turn it over immediately to a manager. This goes into pile and maybe the manager will buy pizza for the shift.