Tipping the Front Desk gets Upgrades?

[jenniferhouston1]

In Las Vegas, it is standard practice to tip the front desk, at check in, in hopes for a room upgrade, or to show your appreciation for an upgrade. We have done it successfully at two of the casinos in Las Vegas

I never have seen this practice referenced concerning Disney resorts? Any experiences on this board? Or, is it considered to unsavory (like a bribe) for Disney standards? Thanks

 

[TreeOfLife]

Gee, I never heard of it. I guess it could be in bad taste here, as the CM assigning the upgrade did you a favor but... a service?

 

[ducklite]

I'd be more than a little suprised if it words at WDW. Most rooms are preassigned before the guest arrives, and very few front desk clerks have the authority to make changes on their own.

Anne

 

[Experiment626]

There is a very small list of CM's that can even accept tips. I have never seen front desk staff on that list. Usually just housekeeping, valet/bellhop staff, and waitstaff at sit down resturants.

If they are not on the list they would have to follow the rules of politely refusing 3 times, if the guest insists they will accept it, but have to turn it in to management to be donated to charity... or risk being fired.

 

[April76]

I'm sure that if front desk CM's accepted "tips" for better rooms, etc. there would be a horrible outcry from other guests about the unfairness of it.

Although I don't know for sure, I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say that it wouldn't be "proper".

We've never had a problem getting a room/building request and if an upgrade is really important to me (and It's not -- I just need a room to sleep & shower) I would be more than happy to pay the price.

If you ask about possible upgrades, etc. -- you shouldn't have any problem getting them if there are available --- I don't believe "tipping" will increase your odds.

 

[TreeOfLife]

If you really want to do something special for them to thank them just get their names and contact their manager with the most polite praise...
That gets in their paycheck eventually and they can't refuse it

 

[Gillian]

I've seen this question before and people get all excited about it. It's really not evil!! Tipping in this way is normal in certain places, like Las Vegas. I know when we go to Atlantic City with my mother in law, EVERYONE expects tips. And it does get you better treatment. It doesn't mean you won't get good service without tipping, but it could get you a front row seat at a show, or extra drinks at the lounge. It's quite a bit different than Disney, where the majority of the staff (as stated previously) is not allowed to accept tips.

If you try it (personally, I wouldn't bother), let us know how it goes!

 

[BettyCv]

Actually, someone posted on another thread (which I could remember which one!) that they HAD given cookies to the front desk person and that the person accepted them and then said aloud - "let me find you the best room available." (or something like that).

Sounds like most people on this board think tipping the front desk person is wrong - is that just if it's cash, or are cookies okay?? I don't think I could do it "smoothly" anyway - it still seems like such a bribe! LOL!

I didn't even know that tipping the front desk is common in Las Vegas!

BettyC

 

[mkymouse4ever]

The thread about the "cookies" was in reference to the s/d thread. One main writer wrote that she always brings a goody type gift to the front desk at check in.

So we followed her advise and I have done it a few times too. You bring something from your area or something homemade to the front desk people, to share. As a gift, not to expect something in return. As stated above your room is pre-assigned so ours were not changed, we did not get a gift basket or anything from the hotel, we just felt good giving them something back. We brought down a large box of "marshall field's mint's chocholates" big chicago candy thing (if your unfamiliar with it) and said for your magic we are giving you some of the midwest magic. (I know kinda dumb) The front desk clerk were very surprised and kinda taken aback, they (1 at CR & 1 at Poly) both said I have to go in back and get my manager... out comes the manager and thanks us for thinking of his staff, and his there something in particular we wanted? Frankly, I would of felt really guility asking for anything, we said no, we just come down alot, and wanted to give them something to smile about for a change. Don't know if it changed anything but we already had the cr tower reserved and requested mk view but we did get our request, not sure if it changed anything, they didn't say. At the poly we knew already we were getting the view / bldg we requested so that didn't change, but they forgot to charge me for the refrigerator we rented for 15 nites, but I didn't know that till we got the bill at check out, and I didn't point it out to anyone. not sure if it was a mistake or they let it go by?

It was fun to do, but I know I could not pull off (even in las vegas) tipping cash to the clerk, you really would have to be sauve, or sophisticated, to get away with it at disney world.

MKY

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by mkymouse4ever
It was fun to do, but I know I could not pull off (even in las vegas) tipping cash to the clerk, you really would have to be sauve, or sophisticated, to get away with it at disney world.

Humm, think I should give it a try, mky?

 

[PamOKW]

While tipping everybody is standard practice in Vegas, AC, and even the CT casinos, I think the front desk personnel accepting cash at WDW could be grounds for a reprimand or termination. It's just not the way they do things at Disney.

On the other hand, the bell staff at Disney is often short-changed compared to other hotels when it comes to tips. They are so nice, people don't realize they need the tips just as much as those bellfolks from other hotels who have perfected the "tip" attitude.

 

[zaxmom]

I have worked as a front desk employee in a hotel and as a hostess in a restaurant. In my experience tipping can get you a free upgrade to concierge level or free breakfast, parking, bottle of wine a table much quicker or something. I was wondering the same thing about an upgrade for a tip. I don't know Disney policy.

 

[Sammie]

Disney's policy is any employee doing this could very likely lose their job.

In fact very few upgrades are given anymore for the asking. They are given as a surprise not as a request or as a solution to a problem.

 

[mport]

I feel that bell service is probaly one of those things that you expect them to do. But as I have read in many of my Disney travel books it is a good practice if you tip them $1.00 per piece of luggage. Which I do not have a problem with since they usually carry or wheel 10 or so bags up to our room.

 

[SoonerKate]

It's very likely that if a front desk CM accepts a tip, they will get at least a reprimand. If it's a college program CP accepting a tip, they will get terminated. (Believe me -- it happened to my roommate!)

 

[Grumpy92]

As a CM who has worked at the FD, RA and as a Concierge. We were extremely limited with regards to gifts. In all the positions except Concierge/Wait staff we were not allowed to accept tips. Gifts had to be under $30. Most of the time I received flowers or small gifts as a result of just being nice to the guest not as a trade off. If the guest wanted to get me something I always would say a nice letter to my superier would be much more appreciated. Depending on the resort they were posted for all the cms to see.
I would not suggest using this LV practice at WDW. Upgrades are given on a limited basis. Being pleasant and friendly at check in as well as a courtious request at c/i can't hurt. But there are no guarantees it all depends on the occupancy.

 

[eeyore0062]

Front desk castmembers are not considered tipped employees, and cannot accept tips. If they do, they could be fired! If you want to express your appreciation, the nicest thing you could do for that CM is to write a letter of commendation to his/her superior!

 

[helenk]

We brought candy with us from Hershey, since we do not live too far from there, to give to the front desk during the holidays when we were down. But as stated earlier, I did not do this to get anything, I read about other people doing it on these boards and thought it was a cute idea. Our room was already chosen for us, in fact at check in the CM told me that they had gotten my faxed request and the room had been blocked off for us.
I know that the person checking you in can over ride the assignment. We stayed at the YC in Nov of 2001 the CM checking us in was so nice, it was just after 9/11 and the hotel was not crowded at all. She asked someone for the override code or key, I forget which. We had paid for a standard room and were upgraded to a room with a beautiful view of the lake, boardwalk and Epcot.... all this without tipping.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by TreeOfLife
If you really want to do something special for them to thank them just get their names and contact their manager with the most polite praise...
That gets in their paycheck eventually and they can't refuse it

I couldn't agree more. I always write a letter when I encounter a CM that has exceeded my expectations. And, it really does help the CM. It stays in their file for years to come. From what I hear, very few people take the time to write letters of praise. So, it means a great deal when it does happen.

 

[WDW2000]

THis is a little off the subject, but after hearing so many people on these boards saying they tipped the driver of the "Illuminations Cruise" I thought it was expected and proper thing to do. However, our CM refused the tip and said that they were not allowed to accept it.