I recently wrote about the topic of tipping hotel housekeeping, and an OMAAT reader asked me to write a similar post about tipping hotel concierges. It’s something I’ve never talked about on the blog, so I thought it would make for an interesting topic.
I’ll share my take, though I won’t bury the lede — I’m not sure there’s a right or wrong answer, because the way that people use hotel concierges varies so wildly. It’s not like hotel housekeeping, where everyone gets their room cleaned similarly, with slight variations in terms of peoples’ cleanliness habits.
In this post:
Tipping hotel concierges is complicated
There’s an absolutely massive variance to how people use hotel concierges, and the services that they offer. Limited service hotels often don’t offer “real” concierge services, while five star hotels sometimes have rockstar concierges who can perform miracles.
Even among hotels with great concierge staff, the requests people make are all over the place:
- Some people may just ask the concierge for a map of the area, and a recommendation for a nearby hole-in-the-wall restaurant they can walk to
- Other people use hotel concierges months in advance of their stay via email to secure desirable dining reservations as soon as they become available, or some hotels might even use hotel concierges to do luxury shopping on their behalf
If you’re booking a super high-end hotel, a great concierge staff is also one of the things that you’re paying for. The expectation is that a $1,000 per night hotel generally has a more “connected” concierge than a $100 per night hotel (or whatever). After all, there are concierges who are very well known in certain cities, and can bring a lot to the hotel they’re working at.
Then there’s of course the general cultural norms around tipping:
- Perhaps the single place in the world where hotel concierges are most useful is in Japan, where they can help secure amazing restaurant reservations; however, tipping isn’t appropriate in Japan, so that’s an included service
- In the United States there’s the general culture of tipping, so it’s customary to tip hotel concierges as well
- In other places around the globe it’s tricky, because even if a country doesn’t normally have a culture of tipping, a lot of people do tip hotel concierges when they secure hard to get reservations, or perform other above-and-beyond tasks
How much should you tip hotel concierges?
I truly think there’s no right or wrong answer as to what’s appropriate to tip hotel concierges. So let me share a couple of considerations:
- The American Hotel & Lodging Association gratuity guide suggests tipping concierges $5-10 per service, depending on how involved the request is; it’s recommended that this can be paid on the spot, or as a lump sum at check-out
- There are definitely people who tip concierges hundreds of dollars, or even more; that’s by no means expected, but in some cases concierges fulfill some pretty wild requests
Now, what’s my personal take, based on my own travels? The situation where I value a hotel concierge the most is when I’m staying at a luxury property outside the United States for multiple days, and I want to visit multiple great restaurants. In those situations, I typically appreciate the input and booking assistance of the concierge.
If it’s a trip to a destination with great restaurants and the concierge team is consistently friendly and helpful throughout the stay, I’ll sometimes tip around $20 per day, give or take. Let me emphasize that I don’t use concierges on a vast majority of stays, but this is when they’re consistently helping me throughout the stay, and are friendly and responsive.
Otherwise, I’d say that I sometimes tip when I’m staying in the United States and an consistently asking for minor things, like the best nearby coffee shop, a restaurant I can just walk into that’s casual, etc. I might tip $10 or so in those situations.
Meanwhile if I’m just using the concierge via email to arrange transfers to or from the hotel, I typically won’t tip. That’s also in part because I think that’s a very standard service that doesn’t take much effort, and in many situations, the hotel is even taking a significant commission on that.
Anyway, I’m by no means claiming that my approach is correct, but that’s how I usually go about things… like I said, I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer.
Bottom line
Tipping hotel concierges can be a complicated topic, given the huge variety of services that they provide. Some people will ask for a decent nearby pizza place, and others will request five reservations at Michelin-starred restaurants.
So you’ll find that people have hugely varying perspectives on how much hotel concierges should be tipped (if at all), and I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer. However, I think it’s worth acknowledging that, and it’s also why I shared my take.
Where do you stand on tipping hotel concierges, and what’s your approach?
Tipping the people that check me in and hand me the room keycards? I'm sorry but you're out of your damn mind Ben. Tipping culture is out of control in the US. It was so nice to not be prompted with a tip option in 90% of the places in Europe. Surprised the DMV hasnt started asking us for a tip when doing a license renewal.
No tip, I'm so sick of tipflation. Just stop, please.
In my most recent hotel stay I was instructed to drop my laundry bag at concierge. How much would you have tipped in that situation?
Actually, excluding that, I think I have used the concierge 3 times in my life. Once in pre-internet days in New Zealand to book a tour, once in Japan to book a show and once in Singapore for the same reason. All non-tipping locations.
Tipping the concierge , I am of the opinion , that they get compensated by the provided of services. Recently we chartered a day sailboat thru the hotel. Our cost was $1000, booking the same direct would have of been 300. I also assume that restaurants will also reciprocate with inviting hotel employees to dinner. That being said, for fantastic service I would consider giving gratuity depending on the level of service .
Should you tip the curbside check-in agent?
To ensure good service = TIPS
As being frequent travellers and hotel guests, we observe that the tip has become a given, whether or not good service was provided.
We found that in the USA to be the norm.
In Europe we find it less often expected.
In Asia it is expected and hands are out for it.
Really is amazing how many maga is amongst your readers, Ben. Kinda wild.
I praise Singapore or Japan for their no tipping culture. In both countries employees are proud to provide good service to customers. And in most cases they are adequatly paid for their service.
In much of Europe we don’t tip. Service charges are added to bills. You’re not made to feel guilty as you are in the US. It’s optional.
I do not tip, end of story. I was never tipped in any job ever and i did not expect it. And yes, i worked in the service and hospitality industry. And some other really bad jobs. I do not care where it is in the world, i am always the same. If i start treating people differently, i had to apply that on my attitude as well. How bout i am more or less...
I do not tip, end of story. I was never tipped in any job ever and i did not expect it. And yes, i worked in the service and hospitality industry. And some other really bad jobs. I do not care where it is in the world, i am always the same. If i start treating people differently, i had to apply that on my attitude as well. How bout i am more or less chatty or friendly depending on the culture? How bout i pay a destination fee in countries who don't have it, just to be fair or balance out others situation? How about i insult people in countries that do not have a tipping culture? I am a polite guest and i do not tip. That simple.
Ben wrote ‘ Otherwise, I’d say that I sometimes tip when I’m staying in the United States and an consistently asking for minor things, like the best nearby coffee shop, a restaurant I can just walk into that’s casual, etc. I might tip $10 or so in those situations.’
Yes, even if it may be consistent with some of your stays but as others have already pointed out it is part of their job to...
Ben wrote ‘ Otherwise, I’d say that I sometimes tip when I’m staying in the United States and an consistently asking for minor things, like the best nearby coffee shop, a restaurant I can just walk into that’s casual, etc. I might tip $10 or so in those situations.’
Yes, even if it may be consistent with some of your stays but as others have already pointed out it is part of their job to provide this basic service. In other countries, you don’t tip the concierge/front desk (if a concierge is unavailable) for asking about where to go eat. You may choose to tip if you really want to do that for something extraordinary like securing you front row tickets to a Taylor Swift concert or getting the last table by the window at a three star Michelin restaurant. But tipping for asking where to get coffee? It should make us think about whether we need to tip OMAAT for consistently providing us with articles and updates including on how to obtain very hard to find first class award tickets, haha. I’m just joshing with you @Ben @Lucky. Love reading your articles. So much better than TPG.
Except in places that don’t accept tips, it really just depends on what you ask them to do and how much they provide a service that you couldn’t do yourself. If I use a concierge to get something for m3 that I probably could have done myself, always throw in a little tip ($2-5, depending on what cash I have on hand). If they go above and beyond, it depends on what I asked them to do.
Have travelled all over the world at some outstanding 5 star hotels and have never tipped a concierge once.
TBH I am sick of tipping people...
The fact that a well travelled American who regularly stays in in premium hotels has no idea how much and who to tip shows how broken the tipping system is.
Just pay people a decent wage like other 1st world countries
To me, it depends mostly on the service that they are providing. If they are providing some small service then I will generally not tip, but if they provide service that is above and beyond or I have many special requests then I will be more likely to tip.
We uses 5 star hotel in Venice two to four times a year for the last 20 years.
They are invaluable for arranging hard to get restaurant reservations, entry to exhibitions , gardens and other things generally closed to the general public.
We generally tip 100€ on arrival and sometimes additional when departure for special favors. Call us heavy users.
Tipping for just asking about a local coffee shop really (google maps)?? Only time I'd feel need to tip is for a active service performed such as when years ago I was reaching a hotel in Bali and asked the staff to procure a needed medicine ahead of our late night arrival when no stores would be open.
Just stop it. There's no need to tip anyone in a professional role- it's actually pretty vulgar in my view. If you do want to show appreciation, you can buy them some chocolates or a nice bottle of wine.
0.00 is the exact amount you should be tipped.
You are obsessed with tipping, right? I just had 2 amazing weeks of vacation in Italy. Stayed at local hotels (no points, no overcharges, no BS) and emailed their concierge/front desk in advance several times asking help to book restaurants, private boat tours, beach clubs, etc... I brought with me several small boxes of chocolate truffles and handed to each of the people that I communicated via email. They were all surprised and could not...
You are obsessed with tipping, right? I just had 2 amazing weeks of vacation in Italy. Stayed at local hotels (no points, no overcharges, no BS) and emailed their concierge/front desk in advance several times asking help to book restaurants, private boat tours, beach clubs, etc... I brought with me several small boxes of chocolate truffles and handed to each of the people that I communicated via email. They were all surprised and could not be more thankful. In my view, that shows I really care about them and did something unexpected vs dropping money at them.
I agree. It's much better to show such thoughful appreciation than throwing a few bucks their way which means almost nothing to either party.
Given that concierges are increasingly going the way of the dodo bird, especially since COVID (Comfort Inn removed concierges nationally, among many other chains in response to COVID), I think it is important to still offer a small tip to ensure that this importance service stays around for years to come.
I know you could use google or ChatGPT to find what you need, but being able to get it from a person who's an expert in the local area is invaluable!
Okay I agree this is getting a bit excessive now. Tipping housekeeping who are barely getting minimum wage? Sure.
Tipping a service that’s basically irrelevant if you’re able to use Google effectively and don’t need to be pampered? Nah, hard pass.
For the love of God, stop w/ the tipping and posts about it.
You are enabling corporations to shortchange their employees by handing the corporations free money. It's completely myopic to tip in the moment, when it causes much more lasting harm in the long-term.
Nothing. American obsession with tipping.
Typical entitled American attitude. Specialty Concierge services are not free. If you don’t want to tip, don’t ask them for their expertise beyond basic suggestions.
"Expertise"? Yeah, about as much as the person stocking the canned soup at your local Target, or flipping the (So-Called) "ALL BEEF" patties at your local McDonalds - Just use google...
Theyre paid employees of the hotel you are staying in where the service is part of what is included in the cost of the hotel.
The rest of the world literally laughs at the US obsession with tipping, except its now spread to countries that americans go to which makes them think everyone is going to be tipping.
They get paid for doing their job by an employer. It’s a typical American attitude that tips are an expectation. They should not be. It’s not upto the customer to subsidise the salary of the employee.
Imagine being an employee and doing your contracted job and then complaining to customers when they don’t tip you.
I agree-
The American system is seriously ridiculous!
A decent wage should be paid by whoever they work for..
Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind tipping and constantly do but it should not be expected 100 percent of the time!!!
It is out of hand now..
How much to tip for weed and coke?
Hahaha beach mobile concierge service
Like pretty much every other "how much should I tip" question, the answer is zero.
Americans will show how wonderful they are by tipping excessively, so the rest of us don't need to.
Ben giving you are covering a lot of random advice topics recently, could you please write an explainer on how the big airline groups in South America operate, i.e. Avianca and LATAM?
Let your gratitude be your guide. Nothing more, nothing less.
I was a concierge for several years with legit 5 star hotels. First, I would point out the title “concierge” is thrown around an awful lot these days, from credit card companies to malls, residential buildings, non luxury hotels, etc. However, only Les Clefs d’Or Concierges legitimately have required training, experience and expertise to formally have the title. You know them by the Crossed Key pin they will always proudly wear. If a member of...
I was a concierge for several years with legit 5 star hotels. First, I would point out the title “concierge” is thrown around an awful lot these days, from credit card companies to malls, residential buildings, non luxury hotels, etc. However, only Les Clefs d’Or Concierges legitimately have required training, experience and expertise to formally have the title. You know them by the Crossed Key pin they will always proudly wear. If a member of their society is assisting you, you are in very capable hands. They have very deep connections and knowledge, unlike others who do not wear the keys.
As a general rule, simple questions, asking for brochures, maps and directions should be free. If a concierge secures reservations/tickets for dinner, theater, tours, etc. a tip should be provided. The amount depends on the level of hotel and difficulty of securing the reservation, especially one you would not be able to secure yourself. Any special arrangements a concierge makes for a birthday, anniversary, event, etc. should result in a tip. Of course, if a concierge goes above and beyond in any situation, a larger tip should be provided.
I’d recommend for non Clefs d’Or concierges, $10-20/request if you use their service for basic reservations, booking tours, tickets etc. Double that for tricky or above and beyond services.
For a legit Clefs d’Or concierge in a 5 star luxury hotel, $100+ per day is standard if using their expertise to secure fine dining, tickets, private tours etc. and even higher if they go above and beyond. This may seem high, but in true five star hotels, people are often paying thousands per night. The level/cost of hotel and expertise provided should reflect the gratuity. If you don’t want to tip, make your own arrangements and don’t ask for special favors.
Thanks for your opinion. Can you send me your cashapp/paypal so I can tip you for that invaluable service? Thanks again
My free of charge tip for you is to keep staying at your favorite cheap American hotel chain, where your point thirsty self doesn’t need to worry about it.
Nobody ever wants to tip. Tipping is parting with money. Who wants to do that?
Certification or not, it comes down to performance. I have a few concierges (at legit five star hotels) who simply worked their way up to the position and they do incredible stuff for us. I don't particularly care whether they went through some prestigious training.
You’ve paid for the expertise in the room rate of the hotel
FWIW I think that a $1000 a night hotel is already building in a level of service that should include arranging restaurants and tours. (In may cases there is probably some form of reward for those who make the booking).
To even consider a tip of an extra 10% of the room rate is beyond expectation for most. If even 10% of the guests of a small hotel at that rate were tipping that would be $1000 a day tax free. Is that even bordering reasonable?
If I stay at a hotel, I dont expect to tip to use the pool as its part of the hotels offer. Similarly, the staff should fall into that category.
The last sentence of this incredible article more of less says "if you dont wanna tip me, then f**k off!"
Then why are you working there ? It’s your job. Typical American. Maybe learn from other countries where there’s genuine service.
You only need to tip if they actually have to make a call on your behalf outside of the hotel environment ( restaurant or theatre etc) everything else like asking for recommendations, getting a map of the area, arranging taxis etc, no tip is required.
Ugh this is where I hate tipping. What if a guy helped you by phone before the tip and then you show up and never see him? Or you go to tip at the end and the people that helped you aren’t there? Not to mention that in other countries, it is a big hassle to have cash/get the right denominations. Tipping is SO PAINFUL even beyond the “how much”.
A concierge in Mumbai purchased some cricket tickets for me and another concierge in Moscow purchased some KHL tickets for me so in those cases I tipped like $20-$25 USD.
I can understand tipping for a hard-to-get restaurant reservation, but tipping shouldn’t be expected for a basic neighborhood recommendation like coffee shop or basic restaurant. This is free on Yelp/Google. A hotel that practices hospitality should have staff that help guests make the most of a destination rather than staff that sell local knowledge for tips
Sorry, Ben, but going to have to disagree with you here. Not sure if it’s the European in me, but I can’t imagine tipping the concierge. If I’m going to pay $1k+/night to stay somewhere, then the expectation is that the concierge will go above and beyond to help, if needed. It’s crazy to me that you’d tip a concierge $10/day for recommendations for coffee/museums/attractions during your stay. That is their job, and at a...
Sorry, Ben, but going to have to disagree with you here. Not sure if it’s the European in me, but I can’t imagine tipping the concierge. If I’m going to pay $1k+/night to stay somewhere, then the expectation is that the concierge will go above and beyond to help, if needed. It’s crazy to me that you’d tip a concierge $10/day for recommendations for coffee/museums/attractions during your stay. That is their job, and at a top hotel, it is surely the bare minimum. Perhaps it is just my failure to understand U.S. tipping culture, but there is something that really irks me about the expectation to pay an extra ~$20/night for an advertised service when you’re already paying $1500+.