Tipping with gratuity already included

[waltfan42]

Hi,

We are using a car service to take us from the airport to our hotel. An 18% gratuity is already included. Anyone know what the going rate is for an additional tip??

Thanks!!!

 

[_19disnA]

I think there are some other recent threads on this subject. If they already have added 18% for everyone, no matter what they call it, I wouldn't consider it a gratuity/tip and more like an extra fee. Tipping should be OPTIONAL for service that is exceptional. Clearly before the service is provided, you have no way to know if you will consider it exceptional. If you are forced to pay the 18% and have no choice, then I wouldn't think any extra 'tipping' should be expected. Expecting customers to tip twice seems totally out of line to me.

 

[fla4fun]

Hi,

We are using a car service to take us from the airport to our hotel. An 18% gratuity is already included. Anyone know what the going rate is for an additional tip??

Thanks!!!

Any additional tip is totally at your discretion. With a car service, I expect them to load/unload the luggage, to drive safely, and to be courteous. If that is all I receive, I do not tip extra. However, if they open the doors for us, offer a bottle of cold water, make an effort to be entertaining or informative about the area, then I may consider rounding that 18% up to 20% or so based on the additional services provided. It all depends on the actual services they perform, and every driver is going to be different in that respect.

 

[Lewisc]

I doubt I'd tip extra.

Maybe if my flight was delayed. Maybe if the driver kept my grocery stop after a flight delay. My grocery stop ran long. A pax got sick in the vehicle.

 

[SteveH]

As a rule I don't tip more when I'm faced with a "mandatory" tip, which is sad for the staff but it was their employer's choice to mandate it. This past week we had a going away party for a long term staff member, choice was a local Chinese restaurant many of us frequent and they opened up on their normal day off. When I went to pay I assumed they would slap on a mandatory tip, but alas they didn't! They were tipped much more for their service and trusting that we would tip well.

 

[sam_gordon]

As a rule I don't tip more when I'm faced with a "mandatory" tip, which is sad for the staff but it was their employer's choice to mandate it. This past week we had a going away party for a long term staff member, choice was a local Chinese restaurant many of us frequent and they opened up on their normal day off. When I went to pay I assumed they would slap on a mandatory tip, but alas they didn't! They were tipped much more for their service and trusting that we would tip well.

It's only sad for the staff if the tip doesn't get passed along to them.

One of two things is going on... customers have repeatedly stiffed the drivers and given them little or no tip. So the company puts in the mandatory tip charge, everyone pays it, and the drivers get their tip.

OR

The company has decided it's another way to get money from the customer, collects the 18% and gives only part of that money to the driver.

IMO, the better idea... charge the customer more, pay the drivers more, and stress to the customer that a tip is NOT NECESSARY OR REQUIRED. We need to find a way to end the tipping culture.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I lean to the generous side on the topic of tipping, not saying that's right or wrong here and everyone will have a different take. But if this were me in such a situation, I'd likely tip another $20 to $40 in cash to the driver, unless there was something unfavorable about the service provided. Yes, I'm double tipping - but I figure some cash directly in the driver's pocket can go a long way and many drivers provide exceptional service we value, so to me it's worth it. To each their own though.

 

[GoingSince1990]

There is no expectation to give anything extra at all, but if the driver truly goes above and beyond in some way I would give an extra $5-$10 in cash.

 

[snacks]

I frequently use a car service that charges an upfront 20% tip at time of booking. I honestly wasn't sure whether or not to tip additionally the first time we used them. I chose not to and it felt incredibly awkward. The next time I made a reservation I asked the person on the phone if it's customary or expected to also give a cash tip to the driver at the time of the service. She told me that while it is not required most patrons do tip the driver in cash. This is not Disney related. It's in another state, but similar situation, airport to hotel and back again. They charge $180 each way plus sales tax and $36 automatic tip. She suggested $20-40 as an additional cash amount directly to the driver. I've been giving $40 ever since and judging by the drivers' non-reaction I assume it's not out of the ordinary. They do always say thank-you but don't appear surprised to be receiving a cash tip. I would rather over tip than under tip or stiff someone. I always think to myself that these are grown adults supporting themselves doing tasks that I don't want to do myself. I see tipping as my way to show appreciation that they are making my life easier or more pleasant.

 

[Lewisc]

I frequently use a car service that charges an upfront 20% tip at time of booking. I honestly wasn't sure whether or not to tip additionally the first time we used them. I chose not to and it felt incredibly awkward. The next time I made a reservation I asked the person on the phone if it's customary or expected to also give a cash tip to the driver at the time of the service. She told me that while it is not required most patrons do tip the driver in cash. This is not Disney related. It's in another state, but similar situation, airport to hotel and back again. They charge $180 each way plus sales tax and $36 automatic tip. She suggested $20-40 as an additional cash amount directly to the driver. I've been giving $40 ever since and judging by the drivers' non-reaction I assume it's not out of the ordinary. They do always say thank-you but don't appear surprised to be receiving a cash tip. I would rather over tip than under tip or stiff someone. I always think to myself that these are grown adults supporting themselves doing tasks that I don't want to do myself. I see tipping as my way to show appreciation that they are making my life easier or more pleasant.

It sounds like the company is stealing some, maybe all, of the 20% upfront tip.

 

[_19disnA]

The one time we used Lyft/Minnie Van @ Disney, we paid through the phone app. No cash exchanged hands with the driver so I don't understand the comment about it being awkward with regard to whatever you choose to tip. As I recall, I added a tip onto the fee using the app at the end of the ride, so it was never part of any discussion with the driver.

 

[snacks]

The one time we used Lyft/Minnie Van @ Disney, we paid through the phone app. No cash exchanged hands with the driver so I don't understand the comment about it being awkward with regard to whatever you choose to tip. As I recall, I added a tip onto the fee using the app at the end of the ride, so it was never part of any discussion with the driver.

Minnie Vans use the Lyft app for on property rides. For Minnie Van airport service you book on the phone, pay in full by credit card at the time of booking, and tip the driver in cash at time of service.

 

[EACarlson]

I would go out of my way to find a company that doesn't break out the charge as a "gratuity." It's not a gratuity if it's charged automatically, it's a fee. For a tipped service, I want to evaluate the service and decide what I think it's worth. When I get really good service, I tip very well, when I get crappy service, I tip accordingly.

 

[_19disnA]

We used Minnie Van/Lyft to go from the Contemporary to a restaurant on the other side of the property. I never said we used it to go to MCO.

 

[jimmymc]

After the mandatory tip, it can be anything you want. Maybe an extra 5 or 10 if they help you with your bags, maybe nothing if the driver just pulls up and tells you to get in the car.