Valet Tipping

[MIGrandma]

We will soon be in New Orleans and the hotel has valet parking. Do you tip when they take the car away, bring it back, or both? What is a reasonable tip to give them?

 

[low-key]

get a cab

 

[sonnyjane]

We will soon be in New Orleans and the hotel has valet parking. Do you tip when they take the car away, bring it back, or both? What is a reasonable tip to give them?

When they bring it back, and typically $3-$5.

 

[MIGrandma]

get a cab

Then what do we do with our car? Hmmmmmm??

 

[Marchand63]

We do $2 when they take it & $2 when they bring it back. Now that is if no charge valet, if it is a charge valet $1 each way.

 

[cluvsdisney]

We tip when it's way $3-5 each time.

 

[DisneyDiana]

In response to the comment about a charge for valet, my husband works at a hotel that charges for valet parking. The valets do not get any of that money. It goes directly to the hotel. Just an FYI not judging.

 

[Twende]

I was taught to tip when you pick your car up only. We tip about 20%.

 

[Mizzoufan]

We tip at drop off and pick up. The amount depends on the weather. We tip more if the weather horrible.

 

[arminnie]

I've found that most of the places in New Orleans people tip leaving it off and again when picking it up. Just give half of what you would tip each time instead of all of it at the end. But do what you want to do. I tip a little more because I have someone with me with a walker that needs additional help getting the walker out, etc. Someone who gets walker out of the back (or puts it up) and helps an elderly person with oxygen navigate and get settled deserves more from me than someone who just jumps in the car and drives off. But that's me.

 

[MIGrandma]

Thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate it.

 

[ronandannette]

I've found that most of the places in New Orleans people tip leaving it off and again when picking it up. Just give half of what you would tip each time instead of all of it at the end. But do what you want to do. I tip a little more because I have someone with me with a walker that needs additional help getting the walker out, etc. Someone who gets walker out of the back (or puts it up) and helps an elderly person with oxygen navigate and get settled deserves more from me than someone who just jumps in the car and drives off. But that's me.

Yeah, this is basically what we do. $5 bucks split 2/3 usually. This is also good because at a busy stand it's rarely the same person that takes it and brings it back.

 

[Klayfish]

I valet parked cars at Ruths' Chris' Steakhouse for 3 years while I was in college. 95% of people would tip when they picked up their car, not dropped them off. Typical tip then was $2-$4, so I'd presume now it's closer to $5. Truthfully, if you wanted extra special treatment, tipping at drop off is never a bad things. Valets will remember that because it's uncommon.

 

[Pre]

I've done $2-3. Both at drop off and pick up. I don't expect any special treatment when I tip, but have noticed that my car will more often be parked closer so when I pick up, I have shorter wait time.

 

[aprilgail]

I always tip 5.00 when picking up the car and sometimes tip the same when I drop it off if I have cash on me. I try to avoid valet parking if at all possible when I have my own car because I hate other people driving my car but if I have a rental I love it LOL.

 

[DVC-Don]

I tip when I get my car back. $5, more if they have to run in the rain.

 

[Kitty 34]

We give $2 both ways.

 

[shoney]

We tip in and out.
My DH works all over Manhattan and is in and out of garages all the time. He says it is customary to tip $1 or so on the way in and let them know the approx time you will want your car back. It helps them know where to park it.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I tip only when my car is returned. A few dollars, depending on the venue. I know at some places, the valet staff pools their tips.

 

[Marchand63]

In response to the comment about a charge for valet, my husband works at a hotel that charges for valet parking. The valets do not get any of that money. It goes directly to the hotel. Just an FYI not judging.

I know that but unfortunately it still comes out of my pocket.