Proper tipping is one way to thank all the people who help make your journey smoother. Here are my top rules for tipping when you travel.
First, remember the luggage lifters. From the skycap to the bellman, anyone in uniform who lifts your bag should be handed a few bucks. The only exception is flight attendants.
Some curbside check-ins require tips of a set amount. If your airline does not, $2 per bag is a good rule of thumb. Bump it up a buck or two if it’s snowing or your bag is on the heavy side.
For the hotel bellhop who delivers luggage to your room, a dollar or two per bag is sufficient, with a $2 minimum if you only have one bag. For the bellman who hails a cab for you, one to two dollars per rider is acceptable.
And when it comes to cabs, don’t let the taxi drivers take you on a guilt trip! Big city taxis often have electronic pay screens that figure out the tip for you, often “starting” at 20%. But unless they’ve delivered your baby or given you their mom’s secret recipe for crawfish etouffee, 15% is plenty, twenty for excellent service.
Consider the clean-up crew! Whether it’s business or pleasure, when you’re staying in a hotel, you should leave housekeeping a minimum of $2 per night per person staying in the room. Leave more if you’re messy or you requested special treatment.
When it comes to the concierge, always start with a decent tip, to set the tone of your visit. If they come up with fabulous seats to a sold-out show, $5 won’t exactly cut it. But that’s an okay amount if they simply made an easy-to-get dinner reservation.
The last rule? If you’re wondering whether or not you should tip someone, the answer is most likely, yes.
Send your travel questions to Stephanie Oswald at travelgirl@digital-stage.wgno.com and I’ll see you next time!
