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Post by gar on Aug 20, 2014 12:55:18 GMT
If we just stay one night at a hotel we do not leave a tip. We haven't stayed there long enough to do anything but sleep and shower.
So you'll have used the shower, the basin, the loo, the bed, the towels.....all of which then need changing or cleaning. The bed won't be changed the first night if you're staying on longer so actually it's more work when people only stay one night.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 20, 2014 13:03:54 GMT
I don't tip for standard daily cleaning. Most of my travel is for work, and I spend around 130 days in a hotel per year. So that would cost me $300-$400 a year, not reimbursable by my company. That's just not something I feel like I should add to my budget. I don't wreck the room and I don't request service every day. I do tip for bellman if they help with luggage, valet guys, room service and if I ask for something above and beyond what I would consider 'normal' service. I will also fill out a comment card if I encounter someone going above and beyond. A lot of small hotels like Hampton inn have a box for such a thing, which I assume helps that person be recognized by management. I'm surprised standard tipping wouldn't be reimbursable - every company I've worked for reimbursed for tipping.
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Dalai Mama
Drama Llama
La Pea Boheme
Posts: 6,985
Jun 26, 2014 0:31:31 GMT
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Post by Dalai Mama on Aug 20, 2014 13:15:17 GMT
I travel to Mexico at least once a year, three times last year. When I am there, I ALWAYS tip the maid. Why? Because they make minimum wage. Wanna know what minimum wage in Mexico is? $5.18. PER DAY. I also make sure I hand it directly to the maid, as I once caught the man who stocks the mini fridge taking the tip. Here in the US I travel for business a couple times each month. If the room is clean, I leave a tip. If it's not, I don't. You can't compare wages to the US without also comparing the cost of living and wages for other jobs.
We just got back from a stay in Cuba. Talking to other guests, they each left anywhere from a $1 to $5 tip every day for housekeeping - they make very little money for their work, so why not? We left the dive staff a tip of $150 for 4 people, 10 dives each.
These don't seem like large amounts until you remember that a doctor there makes $23/month.
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Post by alibama on Aug 20, 2014 14:27:04 GMT
I can honestly say I have never tipped at a hotel before. I never knew you should until I read this thread. When we stayed in a Cabin we did but never in a hotel.
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Post by annabella on Aug 20, 2014 14:29:42 GMT
My current and last company do cover tipping in expenses.
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Nicole in TX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,951
Jun 26, 2014 2:00:21 GMT
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Post by Nicole in TX on Aug 20, 2014 14:45:29 GMT
I don't if I am traveling by myself. My DH always does.
As a general rule I only tip waitstaff, bellhops, and my hairdresser.
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Post by *KAS* on Aug 20, 2014 16:04:32 GMT
I don't tip for standard daily cleaning. Most of my travel is for work, and I spend around 130 days in a hotel per year. So that would cost me $300-$400 a year, not reimbursable by my company. That's just not something I feel like I should add to my budget. I don't wreck the room and I don't request service every day. I do tip for bellman if they help with luggage, valet guys, room service and if I ask for something above and beyond what I would consider 'normal' service. I will also fill out a comment card if I encounter someone going above and beyond. A lot of small hotels like Hampton inn have a box for such a thing, which I assume helps that person be recognized by management. I'm surprised standard tipping wouldn't be reimbursable - every company I've worked for reimbursed for tipping. To clarify, they only do not reimburse for housekeeping gratuities. They used to reimburse up to $2/night. The last T&E policy from about 2 years eliminated that as a reimbursable expense. They do reimburse valet/bellman/room service.
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 20, 2014 16:35:17 GMT
This is a sincere question and not just for @*KAS* Why do you tip these people and not the maids? The bellman's job is to bring bags to your room, the valet's job is to get your car, etc., just like the maid's job is to clean your room. When traveling for business, I had a per diem for meals & misc expenses which included tipping. I rarely needed the help of a bellman or valet, but tipped them if I did, along with the maids.
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Post by 3dcrafter on Aug 20, 2014 16:36:05 GMT
I don't tip at hotels and never will. There are plenty of comparable jobs(ex. Janitors, people who work retail, etc) out there that are just as hard, pay the same, and of which NO ONE would ever consider to tip; it isn't my job to makeup for the employer's failure to pay their staff more than minimal wage. If I found an envelope in my room for tips, the only tip I would give is a written tip I would deliver to the manager and/or owner to pay their own employees 20% more than what they currently pay them. How about holding employers accountable?
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sweetandsour
Full Member
Posts: 227
Jun 30, 2014 17:43:52 GMT
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Post by sweetandsour on Aug 20, 2014 16:37:45 GMT
I do not tip. Because housekeeping uses the same rag to clean everything, I wipe down the room and bathroom with Lysol wipes as soon as I drop my luggage and I put up the Do Not Disturb sign so housekeeping does not get things dirty again. I bring my own garbage bag and everything gets put into there. Judging by the amount of grime I get on my Lysol wipes, I do not feel the need to tip. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk good Lord, where are you staying? What's that supposed to mean?
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Aug 20, 2014 16:39:29 GMT
We tip $5 a day and lay it on the end of the bed so that it is very clear that it belongs to her. Last week in Chicago we had a wonderful housekeeper and as we were leaving we were chatting with her in the hallway and we extra tipped her.
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sweetandsour
Full Member
Posts: 227
Jun 30, 2014 17:43:52 GMT
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Post by sweetandsour on Aug 20, 2014 16:40:18 GMT
I do not tip. Because housekeeping uses the same rag to clean everything, I wipe down the room and bathroom with Lysol wipes as soon as I drop my luggage and I put up the Do Not Disturb sign so housekeeping does not get things dirty again. I bring my own garbage bag and everything gets put into there. Judging by the amount of grime I get on my Lysol wipes, I do not feel the need to tip. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk This is a regular thing for you? How do you know H/K use the same rag to clean everything? How do you know that housekeeping does NOT use the same rag to clean everything? I just read from someone that when she was being trained to work in housekeeping, her trainer DID use the same sponge! www.cbc.ca/news/dirty-hotels-room-testing-reveals-contamination-still-rampant-1.2101331
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Anita
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,705
Location: Kansas City -ish
Jun 27, 2014 2:38:58 GMT
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Post by Anita on Aug 20, 2014 16:48:50 GMT
I don't tip at hotels and never will. There are plenty of comparable jobs(ex. Janitors, people who work retail, etc) out there that are just as hard, pay the same, and of which NO ONE would ever consider to tip; it isn't my job to makeup for the employer's failure to pay their staff more than minimal wage. If I found an envelope in my room for tips, the only tip I would give is a written tip I would deliver to the manager and/or owner to pay their own employees 20% more than what they currently pay them. How about holding employers accountable? This. By the logic on this thread, I should be tipping everyone from the McDonald's worker who takes my order to the janitorial staff that vacuums and dusts my cubicle every night. I truly do not comprehend why hotel maids are on the list of "do tip" and McDonald's staff is not. They are both providing you a service that is thankless, and that they get paid minimum wage to do. So why do some service jobs merit a tip and others don't? I'm really curious.
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Post by *KAS* on Aug 20, 2014 16:55:18 GMT
I don't tip for standard daily cleaning. Most of my travel is for work, and I spend around 130 days in a hotel per year. So that would cost me $300-$400 a year, not reimbursable by my company. That's just not something I feel like I should add to my budget. I don't wreck the room and I don't request service every day. I do tip for bellman if they help with luggage, valet guys, room service and if I ask for something above and beyond what I would consider 'normal' service. I will also fill out a comment card if I encounter someone going above and beyond. A lot of small hotels like Hampton inn have a box for such a thing, which I assume helps that person be recognized by management. I used to travel for work years ago. I was given a per diem for meals which I didn't always use so the tipping money came out of that. But even if that wasn't the case, I figure when I was not home I was saving money on food, gas etc., so it all worked out. Just another point of view on traveling for work. I'm not given a per diem for meals. I have to submit itemized receipts and am reimbursed for the amount I spent, so that doesn't work in my case. Saving money on gas and food? Sure. No argument there. But I also spend more when I'm on the road trying new things, shopping, and drinking alcohol (not reimbursable), so it's probably all a wash. I'm not cheap - I tip really well for meals, I tip the guy that lugs my suitcase onto the parking shuttle bus, etc. I just don't tip housekeeping for what I feel is standard service included in my hotel cost. If I asked for anything above and beyond, I do tip.
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 20, 2014 17:02:24 GMT
I really wish I knew the answer to this.
I've never questioned why they merit a tip but for me, I tip based on what I was taught growing up and at my corporate jobs. Waiters, hairdresser, hotel staff (bellman, valet, maids) and cab drivers are the ones that come to mind first.
I have a hard time adding onto that list and don't usually fill tip jars. The worst is being trapped on a tour where the guide spends half the tour time letting us know we should tip at the end.
I'd be happy to live in a world where there was no expectations of a tip.
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Post by *KAS* on Aug 20, 2014 17:07:35 GMT
This is a sincere question and not just for @*KAS* Why do you tip these people and not the maids? The bellman's job is to bring bags to your room, the valet's job is to get your car, etc., just like the maid's job is to clean your room. When traveling for business, I had a per diem for meals & misc expenses which included tipping. I rarely needed the help of a bellman or valet, but tipped them if I did, along with the maids. I choose to tip valet and bellmen because to me it's a service of convenience for me, above and beyond what I pay for in my daily room rate. I could choose to self-park in most cases. I could choose to carry my own bags to my room. If I have boxes shipped to the hotel that I need for work (which happens a lot), I tip the guy that brings them to me because he has other things to do and I appreciate that he saved me the effort. For housekeeping / maid service, daily cleaning is included in the price of the room for most hotels. For some it's just weekly service, or just general straightening. I know that when I book the room. So I don't feel an extra tip is necessary. And I know you weren't addressing me specifically, but I don't get a per diem for meals and misc. expenses. I have to submit receipts for food, and I'm reimbursed up to X per day. Not just the credit card slip either but an itemized bill. Some people seem surprised that housekeeping gratuities aren't reimbursable. No idea why - perhaps we follow our clients policy. Here it is, copy and pasted. It's a pretty clear rule: Not Allowed: • Meals charged to folio will not be reimbursed – an employee must have the itemized receipt to include with their expense report. • Meals/drinks from mini-bar will not be reimbursed. Exception: if, due to event schedule, food is not available from other sources, employee can select food items from the mini-bar. Explanation must be provided with expense report. • An employee cannot stay in a hotel in their home town or metro area. Exception: If executing an event in local market and the schedule does not allow for safe travel to/from home (i.e. late rehearsal wrap and early call), employee can stay in a hotel in home market. Must have client approval prior to incurring expense. • Personal charges are not reimbursable (movies, spa, toothpaste, etc.). • Tips to hotel housecleaning are not reimbursable.
• Employees are responsible for canceling a hotel room according to the hotel’s policy – charges for a “no show” will not be reimbursed.
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kimpea
Junior Member
Posts: 87
Jun 25, 2014 21:44:25 GMT
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Post by kimpea on Aug 20, 2014 17:11:29 GMT
I tip generously the first and last day, and my kids write a thank you note. I know what a hard job it is and how little respect hotel housekeepers usually get, I like them to know I appreciate it. Tipping nicely on the first day usually ensures they will go above and beyond for the remainder of our stay. Valet I tip last day. I usually only call for a bellman at the end, never need one on arrival.
On the second day of a trip our Ds woke up with the stomach flu. Being small and very sick he didn't make it to the bathroom. Housekeeping could not have been nicer about it. They took care of the room and brought me beverages and children's Tylenol for his fever without me asking. They also got a doctor staying in the hotel to stop by to check on us. Since then I've always been generous with housekeeping because you never know when something will go wrong and you find yourself in need of extra help.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 20, 2014 17:14:41 GMT
I don't want it to seem like I am picking on anyone here, not my intent.
Many will tip valet and bellman who are just doing their jobs but refuse to tip the maid that cleans the room. I don't see the difference.
Generally, bellman and valets tend to be men and housekeeping are women. I don't understand why you would compensate men who are doing their job but not women. It baffles me.
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Post by 3dcrafter on Aug 20, 2014 17:20:32 GMT
I don't want it to seem like I am picking on anyone here, not my intent. Many will tip valet and bellman who are just doing their jobs but refuse to tip the maid that cleans the room. I don't see the difference. Generally, bellman and valets tend to be men and housekeeping are women. I don't understand why you would compensate men who are doing their job but not women. It baffles me. When I rent a hotel room having a clean room is part of that rental....bellman and valet are Optional. I would never use either of these services so they aren't on my radar anyway. ETA: I'm not sure what bellman and valets are paid...(if I hypothetically used these services) if they are paid only in tips or under min. wage then I would tip them, but if they get paid min. wage, then no, I would not.
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Post by Karene on Aug 20, 2014 17:33:53 GMT
Thank you everyone. It is interesting to see all the different opinions.
We only stayed one night at each of these hotels/motels. They were average places, nothing fancy done to the room.
And yes, we did notice the tip jar in a Dunkin' Donuts shop.
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Post by coaliesquirrel on Aug 20, 2014 17:56:19 GMT
I tip $5 daily whether it's just me, or me + DH +DD, regardless of the length of stay. I feel like those people do a job I wouldn't want to do (I don't even want to clean up after my FAMILY, let alone a bunch of strangers!), and I appreciate their efforts. As others have said, if I can afford to travel, I can afford to tip. My company reimburses tips (housekeeping, curbside bag check, whatever), but I travel much more for pleasure - only once every few years for business.
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Post by gar on Aug 20, 2014 18:08:17 GMT
Well, I didn't make the sweeping statement that they do. I'm sure some do, I'd say many more don't. My Dh ran hotels for 20 years and if anyone was caught doing that would have been out on their ear. I just don't assume the worst I guess.
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Post by katlaw on Aug 20, 2014 18:43:03 GMT
I always tip at the end of the stay. It is hard work. Most employers base their housekeeping staff salary on them getting tips. And I worked in a motel for 2 weeks (I worked for a company in another department and they needed 2 weeks of help in the motel so I did it to help out). It is very hard work. Making beds in room after room was very physical. I am very clean when I stay in a hotel room and make my own bed daily. I hang up my towels and re-use them. But the housekeeping staff still has to vacuum, wash floors, make beds with clean linens, put out fresh towels, clean the bathroom thoroughly, etc.
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ReneeH20
Full Member
Posts: 452
Jun 28, 2014 16:00:48 GMT
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Post by ReneeH20 on Aug 20, 2014 19:36:47 GMT
I really wish I knew the answer to this. I've never questioned why they merit a tip but for me, I tip based on what I was taught growing up and at my corporate jobs. Waiters, hairdresser, hotel staff (bellman, valet, maids) and cab drivers are the ones that come to mind first. I have a hard time adding onto that list and don't usually fill tip jars. The worst is being trapped on a tour where the guide spends half the tour time letting us know we should tip at the end. I'd be happy to live in a world where there was no expectations of a tip. I am not fond of our tipping culture as it seems more and more people expect a tip and those that have been culturally acceptable to get tips are expecting larger percentages. I will admit that I often forget that I am supposed to tip housekeeping. If I remember, I give a larger amount at that end of my stay with a note of thanks.
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,387
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Aug 21, 2014 1:13:59 GMT
I tip all hotel staff. I was raised with the belief that if I can't afford to tip, I can't afford to go.
While in theory I'm not fond of the tip jars at places like McDonalds, I will often put something in them, as at those places they will help me get my tray to my table if I'm alone.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Aug 21, 2014 1:18:48 GMT
I also don't understand why you tip valet, but not the people who clean the crap out of your toilet?
As far as not tipping janitors, they aren't providing ME with a direct service the way housekeeping does.
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Post by maryland on Aug 21, 2014 1:24:22 GMT
I'm surprised standard tipping wouldn't be reimbursable - every company I've worked for reimbursed for tipping. To clarify, they only do not reimburse for housekeeping gratuities. They used to reimburse up to $2/night. The last T&E policy from about 2 years eliminated that as a reimbursable expense. They do reimburse valet/bellman/room service. My husband's company doesn't reimburse for tipping either. I didn't realize companies did, as none of his have ever done that. It's nice that some companies do.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 10, 2024 6:23:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2014 1:26:21 GMT
I still remember getting taken to task by the accounting/expense lady in a corporate office for tipping and then expensing it. That was 20 years ago!
Sometimes we leave something....other times we don't.
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Post by gonewalkabout on Aug 21, 2014 1:30:12 GMT
I don't. Are hotel workers paid wait staff wages? If a hotel is charging me over a hundred a day to stay there I expect them to pay their staff accordingly. Housekeeping, Security etc aren't paid much more than minimum wage in most places. I know in security, you're doing very well if you get $10 an hr. Most of the time it's around $8 (sometimes less, sometimes a little more) for housekeeping and security. Front desk staff are not paid too badly usually $12-15. Security managers tend to get around $14-17 an hour. Kind of stinks really as many highly trained ex cops do security.
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Post by stampbooker on Aug 21, 2014 2:06:36 GMT
Well, I didn't make the sweeping statement that they do. I'm sure some do, I'd say many more don't. My Dh ran hotels for 20 years and if anyone was caught doing that would have been out on their ear. I just don't assume the worst I guess. Well, after seeing someone clean the toilet and then use the same sponge to clean the glasses, you can bet I will not take the chance that they wouldn't do it at another hotel. Yes, I am going to assume the worst! Julie
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