Steve’s 2022 annual “Travel Tipping for Dummies”
| Most people, when they travel, are used to tipping when they eat at a restaurant but have no idea what to do for other tipping situations. Most professional service providers work for really low wages and depend on tips as the primary source of income. Here are my recommendations for tipping when traveling. Restaurant wait staff – 15-20% depending on service. Don’t forget about the buffet staff as well but usually only about 50% of normal. One of the best waitresses I’ve ever had is named Susan and she works at Valentino’s buffet. It is sad when people don’t think they should tip buffet workers. Hotel Bell Captain – $1-2 per bag. This can get confusing as one person unloads from the cab. The next person places it on a luggage cart and then passes it on to another. I wait until I get to the room and pay the last person who presents me with my bags. Airport or train porter – $1-2 per bag. Cab & Uber drivers – 10-15% of the fare. If they drive crazy or take me the long way around I do not tip at all. Courtesy shuttle drivers – $1-2 per bag. Hotel Concierge – $10-20 per request. Hotel Doorman – $3-5 if they call a cab. Hotel housekeeping (room steward) – $3-5 per night. Sadly, only about 20% of travelers tip the room steward and these people probably work the hardest of all the people on this list. Plus, they really affect the quality of your stay. Let’s all make a pledge to do better this year tipping these hard-working people. Valet parking – $3-5 each time. Tour guide – $3-5 each day. Tour bus driver – $1-3 each day. Shoeshine person – $3-10 Friendly Weekly Travel Alert Writer – $5 each week! Please let me know of other people you like to tip when traveling. Is there someone I missed? Please continue to visit www.OperationSafeHarborUkraine.com – and watch the powerful video on the home page that shows the activities of the refugees as well as live updates from our volunteers. We have raised over $250,000 to provide hotel rooms, food, and medical support for refugees in Warsaw, Poland. Thanks to everyone for your generosity, love, and support of the Ukrainian people. |
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