Tips credit card or cash?

[alebisi]

Hi guys, I'm on the dining plan and now I'm budgeting for tips. So here's the question do you give tips in cash at the end of your meal or do you charge it in your credit card (even though you are not paying for the meal with money)?

 

[faw286570]

Cash tips.

 

[catherine]

Always use cash, less opportunity for mistakes to happen!

 

[wayneg]

Credit card for everything, only use cash for tolls but use whatever you are happiest with, makes no difference to the restaurant or server as long as you tip.

 

[queendisney]

we use both...just depends if we have the correct or enough money for the tip, if not on the card. I don't think there is a right or wrong way it's just whatever is easier for you.

 

[willowsnn3]

I've done both but would advise if leaving cash tell the server ahead of time. One waiter (can't remember which restaurant), when I gave him cash, said 'oh, I just charged it to your room'!!! I nearly freaked out as I had left a few cash tips on the table earlier in the trip & was wondering if those servers also had charged the room! Went to resort desk to check if there were any charges & there were none as I had requested no room charges, but kinda scared me there for a minute.

 

[Elise79]

Whether on the DDP or not I stick it all on my KTTW it's just easier!

Don't really carry cash

 

[chmurf]

I also charge it on the KTTW

I don't like having to go through my wallet at the end of a meal, and I always found it awkward to see some people (or picture myself) counting bills and/or coins at a table.

I also figured out that I was more prone to spend on small items when I had cash in my pockets.

Also, speaking about budget. The Chase ATMs at resorts/parks will charge an extra $2 for cash widthrawal.
For example, we're a party of 3 going for 21 nights. When we're on the DDP that's roughly $120 per meal. With a 18% gratuity, that's over $21 a day, with a grand total of $450 for the duration of our stay.
There is NO WAY I would carry that much cash when I can charge it off my room key.

DDP is about convinience and about forgetting about meals budget and all, KTTW serves the same purpose about resort expenses.
Cash is just not "magical"

 

[alebisi]

Thank you everybody for the nice suggestions! We are traveling on a tight budget (we could afford WDW just because of free dining!!). So I'll definetly have to make a separate budget on tips way before the trip and then make my decision whether I'll carry cash for tips or just use the KTCW(I know it will be hard to know tha exact amount but i'll just do some average amount). I'll link my debit card to the KTWC, so it will make it easier also for souvenirs.

 

[wayneg]

I'll link my debit card to the KTWC, so it will make it easier also for souvenirs.

Check the fees involved with debit card. My bank (Halifax) charges £1.50 + 2.75% to use my debit card abroad. Not quite as bad if doing 1 transaction at the end of the holiday, 2.75% is probably similar to you converting to cash in the UK but do lots of little transactions the £1.50's can mount up.
There are credit cards with no fees at all if you have one of those you are far better using it rather than debit card. Halifax Clarity, Santander Zero and the one I use Post Office.

 

[alebisi]

Check the fees involved with debit card. My bank (Halifax) charges £1.50 + 2.75% to use my debit card abroad. Not quite as bad if doing 1 transaction at the end of the holiday, 2.75% is probably similar to you converting to cash in the UK but do lots of little transactions the £1.50's can mount up.
There are credit cards with no fees at all if you have one of those you are far better using it rather than debit card. Halifax Clarity, Santander Zero and the one I use Post Office.

My debit card works as a credit card (I know weird! but I live in Italy everything's weird here! LOL). I don't want to get into too much details about it but I've use it aboard other times and talk to my bank about it, fortunately they don't charge me for using it abroad . They only charge me 2€ if I decide to take cash from an ATM, but I wont be doing that.
Thanks for the heads up, must people don't know about this

 

[Rockislander]

Sorry, I'm probably the only person that doesn't know this, but what does 'KTTY', KTTW', and "KTWC' stand for? TIA!

 

[wayneg]

Sorry, I'm probably the only person that doesn't know this, but what does 'KTTY', KTTW', and "KTWC' stand for? TIA!

Not sure on KTTY, I assumed that was a mistake.
KTTW = Key To The World, AKA KTWC or Key To the World Card.

If stuck try this page http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

 

[chmurf]

Not sure on KTTY, I assumed that was a mistake.

you assumed correctly

btw, there is one neat perk to the KTTW if you link a credit/debit card. You have a $500 limit, meaning you still can manage a budget. But most of all your credit/debit card only gets charged when you hit that limit (or when you ask to get charged to reset that limit)
This means that a large number of small purchases can be charged all at once, and this is useful when you get bank fees such as the ones you mentionned in your post above

 

[alebisi]

btw, there is one neat perk to the KTTW if you link a credit/debit card. You have a $500 limit, meaning you still can manage a budget. But most of all your credit/debit card only gets charged when you hit that limit (or when you ask to get charged to reset that limit)
This means that a large number of small purchases can be charged all at once, and this is useful when you get bank fees such as the ones you mentionned in your post above

That's great!
Do you know if some days I can approach to the reception and pay for what I've purchased on that day? We are staying 15 days, and I was thinking some days I could pay for what I've spent on that day and not wait till the 15 days have passed.

 

[chmurf]

That's great!
Do you know if some days I can approach to the reception and pay for what I've purchased on that day? We are staying 15 days, and I was thinking some days I could pay for what I've spent on that day and not wait till the 15 days have passed.

whenever you want, you drop by front desk at your resort and ask for your balance. They will print that for you with the detail of all purchases charged on your room. And you can ask the CM there to process the payment for those charges.
When you do so, your limit will be reset to $500
Your balance sheet will show all of your charges, from the beginning of your stay, and it will also show your payments.
You can ask for processing whenever you want, but if you get bank fees you may prefer to do that only when necessary

Should you reach your $500 limit while making a purchase in a store, or at a restaurant, you'll be informed, and the store/restaurant can call your resort in order to process payment.

another perk of having a credit card linked to the room key is that on check out day, you won't have to go to front desk and wait in line.
The morning of your departure, you'll notice that a small enveloppe has been attached to your door handle. Inside the enveloppe will be your balance sheet, and you'll notice that all payments due have been processed.

ETA : limits vary depending on resorts.

Values : $500 limit
Moderates : $1000 limit
Deluxes : $1500 limit

 

[madmumof2]

I'd have been annoyed if they'd taken the tip without permission (unless of course it said 18% or so would be charged?) and taken it back!

I pay with whatever I have. If I have change I tip with that as you can't change this once you get back home. If not I use my card. Transactions are free with my card so makes no difference to me

 

[alebisi]

whenever you want, you drop by front desk at your resort and ask for your balance. They will print that for you with the detail of all purchases charged on your room. And you can ask the CM there to process the payment for those charges.
When you do so, your limit will be reset to $500
Your balance sheet will show all of your charges, from the beginning of your stay, and it will also show your payments.
You can ask for processing whenever you want, but if you get bank fees you may prefer to do that only when necessary

Should you reach your $500 limit while making a purchase in a store, or at a restaurant, you'll be informed, and the store/restaurant can call your resort in order to process payment.

another perk of having a credit card linked to the room key is that on check out day, you won't have to go to front desk and wait in line.
The morning of your departure, you'll notice that a small enveloppe has been attached to your door handle. Inside the enveloppe will be your balance sheet, and you'll notice that all payments due have been processed.

ETA : limits vary depending on resorts.

Values : $500 limit
Moderates : $1000 limit
Deluxes : $1500 limit

Thank you! You are so informed! The check out thing is great specially if I just keep checking the bill on random nights to know what to expect on my final bill!
I'll make an appointement with my bank account manager and ask her if I have to pay a fee for every I payment I do (from what I know I don't, but better check).
Again thank you!

 

[Rockislander]

Not sure on KTTY, I assumed that was a mistake.
KTTW = Key To The World, AKA KTWC or Key To the World Card.

If stuck try this page http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

Thanks!

 

[RudeDogg1]

how much are u ment to tip?