In late 2025, I wrote about how Marriott is rolling out a new feature in its mobile app, which is sure to draw mixed reactions. I can’t decide whether to be annoyed at the implications, or just accept that if I’m going to have to tip, making it easy is good.
At the time, I wasn’t entirely clear on how this system for tipping works, given the limited details. I finally had my first stay with Marriott that had this, and would like to report back with my experience.
Marriott tries to make digital tipping easier… yay?
In late 2025, an update to the Marriott app included the following new feature:
Had a great stay? Show your appreciation by tipping hotel associates directly in the app with the new Digital Tipping feature.
This concept is live at most properties in the United States and Canada. This is being facilitated through Canary Technologies, a hospitality software company. So if you choose to tip, it doesn’t appear on your folio, doesn’t earn Bonvoy bonus points, etc.
So, how does this actually work in practice? Let me share my experience. I just had a stay where when I went into the Marriott app, there was a “Tip Staff” button.
You’ll then see the option of which department you’d like to tip, with options including front desk, housekeeping, food and beverage, valet, maintenance, bell, and breakfast.
When you select the department, you can then enter your room number plus the amount that you’d like to tip.
You have to pay for your tip on the spot, either via Apple Pay or a credit card. You’re also given the option as to whether or not you want to cover the processing fee of the tip. This came out to $0.46 on a $5 tip, $0.61 on a $10 tip, and $0.91 on a $20 tip.
I’m conflicted about making digital tipping easier
Of course the concern is that the easier you make it to tip, the more employers essentially pass on the cost of labor to customers, in order to pad their bottom lines. Will we eventually be pressured into tipping for interactions that previously wouldn’t have typically come with a tip expectation? I mean, we have seen tipping front desk staff become a thing, so…
At the same time, I think that in-app tipping is almost just a way to catch up with the times, and a logical development:
- Many hotels already have QR codes or envelopes in rooms so that you can tip housekeeping, so this is another way to facilitate that
- There are hotel employees in the United States who do generally expect tips, so making it easier to tip those people seems like a positive (again, for those who intend to tip)
- I’m also really frustrated nowadays when trying to tip in cash, by the lack of change at hotels; often the hotel front desk doesn’t have change for a $20, and the shuttle bus driver can’t break a $20 either
So I don’t mind the concept in general (as much as I wish more employees were paid decent wages), but I find the execution here to be really poor:
- If you want to go out of your way to tip someone, you typically want one specific person to be tipped, rather than an entire department; it’s a shame that this system can’t help facilitate that
- It would be nice if this were much more seamless; the Marriott app is basically just directing you to a third party, and then you have to enter credit card details immediately, so that’s not ideal
Bottom line
In recent times, Marriott has rolled out digital tipping in its app, and it’s live at most properties in the United States and Canada. I just had my first stay where I noticed this feature.
This is available in partnership with Canary Technologies, and if you choose to tip, you can indicate which department you’d like to do it for (though not which person), and you can specify the amount. You’ll then have to enter your payment details, since this will be processed completely separately from the folio.
I don’t love the precedent this sets, and the potential increase in the number of employees who will solicit tips. At the same time, it does seem there should be better options in place for facilitating tipping, in situations where guests want to. I’m just disappointed by the execution here, as this just doesn’t strike me as a great solution.
What do you make of Marriott’s in-app digital tipping concept?
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