Tipping in The USA valet Help

Name on 16/10/2019 - 11:29

Just pulled into a USA hotel for the next 5 nights. It has $18 per day parking or $22 for valet parking. Given the car park is around the back of the hotel and a short walk I opted to pay the extra $4 per day. On the sign it says gratuities not included. Fair enough. I'll tip.

But I'm confused, when do I tip? They took the car and I didn't tip them as I had nothing smaller than a $20. He didn't hang around looking at me like I should tip, just said are the keys in the car and walked off.

I think it'd add up quickly if I'm getting the car out 3 or 4 times a day. And I'm not sure what to do if it's a different person over my 5 day stay.

Tipping is so difficult, wish they'd just pay their staff reasonably.

Poll Options

  • 23
    Each time they fetch the car
  • 0
    Each time I return the car
  • 3
    Both times (returning and pickup)
  • 2
    Per Day
  • 1
    At end of stay
  • 1
    Something else
Travel

Comments

  • Fysh on 16/10/2019 - 11:33

    Are you sure valet parking isnt $22 per pickup.

    • Name on 16/10/2019 - 11:37

      Hmm. Not 100% sure. It said per day next to the $18 or $22. But I'll confirm next time I get the car. Don't want to end up with a $500 parking bill at the end of my stay!

    • Name on 16/10/2019 - 11:42

      Just Googled the hotel and details are on their site,saves the walk downstairs. It says.

      Self Parking
      Self-parking (with in/out privileges)
      $18 /Daily
      Valet Parking
      Valet parking (with in/out privileges; no R.V. or oversize vehicle parking at hotel)
      $22 /Overnight

      • Fysh on 16/10/2019 - 11:47
        +1

        Guess I just saved him 500 bucks. Message me for my bank details haha

        • bohn on 16/10/2019 - 12:33
          +2

          hmm? in/out privs means he can come and go, just needs to tip them each time?

  • tsunamisurfer on 16/10/2019 - 11:34
    +1

    I would tip 2 George Washingtons per car pick up.

  • 87percent on 16/10/2019 - 11:41

    i'd tip them a couple of dollars, $5 at the most

    • bohn on 16/10/2019 - 11:47

      on pickup and not drop off?

      • ThithLord on 16/10/2019 - 11:59

        Tip once a day

      • 87percent on 16/10/2019 - 13:39

        yeah only on pick up

  • dcuksuop on 16/10/2019 - 12:14
    +4

    $1-2 per pickup only. Not dropoff.

    • Lichen6420 on 16/10/2019 - 13:59

      True? I have always tipped both ways. We need to speak with a proper American on this one, might save myself some $ on my next trip over.

      • dcuksuop on 16/10/2019 - 14:11
        +3

        I'm American!

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 19:12

      Let's say the average time it takes to park the car, walk back out front, get keys, walk back and bring the car around is approximately 6 minutes at the very least.

      At $1, the guy would be running marathons for $10+wages (typically a few bucks).

      Unless they're parking the car at conversation distance, throw them a fiver.

  • thatonethere on 16/10/2019 - 12:50

    If you are staying at a hotel for a while you can do a tip at the end of the stay. I usually do that for the cleaners - so lucky last cleaner gets all the tip.

    The valet one is a common issue - https://dianegottsman.com/2012/02/07/valet-etiquette-tips-fo… you can do it at key handover or collection.

    • bohn on 16/10/2019 - 21:01

      with cleaners I prefer to give a tip daily.
      so they don't wipe the toilet with some of my stuff or whatever ;)

  • chumlee on 16/10/2019 - 13:49

    Tip with cryptocurrency

  • DrRalph on 16/10/2019 - 16:28
    -4

    Don't tip. You're not their employer, so don't pay their wages.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2019 - 19:07

      Don't go to the US. You're not American so don't have anything to do with them.

    • boomramada on 17/10/2019 - 16:29

      Fun but sad fact: In US, Tips are carried over from slavery.

      Having said that, in US, Tipping is essential. All their service staff's life depend on their tips.

  • Name on 17/10/2019 - 04:39

    Bit of an update for anyone following.

    I was chatting to the attendant this morning. He said flat cost of $22 per day plus a few dollars tip would be appreciated but not required each time they fetch the car. He said some people tip on return as well but vast majority tip when they fetch the car. Only a very small proportion of people don't tip at all. He said he could get the car within 3-5 minutes if it isn't peak period.

    Overall, I think his answer reflects the poll very closely.

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