Norms around tipping hotel staff can be confusing, controversial, and inconsistent (especially in the United States), whether we’re talking about housekeeping, the concierge, or club lounge staff. However, there’s a trend that seems to be slowly spreading as of late, regarding tipping hotel front desk staff. Is this where the line should be drawn?
In this post:
Hotel front desk staff increasingly soliciting tips
View from the Wing flags a Reddit post about a Marriott property where guests are asked how their front desk experience was, with the option to tip front desk staff for “exceptional service.”
The property in question is the Fairfield Inn New York Midtown Manhattan Penn Station, though this hotel is hardly alone. We’ve now seen several reports of hotels belonging to the major hotel groups starting similar programs. I wouldn’t say it’s widespread yet, but it’s definitely moving in that direction.
Historically, the concept of tipping the front desk has been more like a bribe than a tip, with the goal of getting a better room. Las Vegas has been known for the “$20 trick,” though with inflation, it probably takes a little more than that to get something in return.
While I see some people suggesting that all hotel front desk staff do is hand you the key and swipe your credit card, there’s definitely more to it than that. I mean, I certainly have great check-in experiences and not so good check-in experiences, in terms of friendliness, efficiency, the quality of information provided, etc.
Should the line be drawn with tipping front desk staff?
Let me start by saying that I largely accept US tipping culture for what it is. I of course don’t like the idea of employers essentially wanting guests to pay extra for service in order to improve margins. But I’m also a realist rather than an idealist, and I recognize that we’re never going to change that culture, and there are a lot of hardworking hotel staff who deserve a fair, living wage.
On the surface, I of course find it ridiculous that we’re increasingly getting to the point where hotels are encouraging guests to tip front desk staff. Staying at a hotel in the US often feels like a constant money grab. You pay an inflated rate, then you’re hit with a resort or destination fee, then parking is expensive, and then you’re expected to tip every single person you interact with.
At the same time, I think the challenge with hotel front desk staff is that they’re typically not actually very well paid, all while setting the tone for a hotel stay for guests, as one of the first people that we interact with when we arrive. You have some front desk staff making $15-20 per hour while living in very expensive cities, without consistent tips.
Is it fair that they make less than the bell staff, and servers in the restaurant, etc., all while arguably working at least as hard, if not harder? Of course I think the solution is that hotels should pay these people more for their hard work.
At the same time, we’re talking about the same hotel owners who say that the hotel industry should learn more from ultra low cost airlines in terms of guest experience, and nickel-and-dime for everything. So I don’t see them voluntarily giving anyone a pay raise.
Ultimately this gets at the annoying reality of US tipping culture. Sometimes it’s really arbitrary who you’re supposed to tip, and who you’re not supposed to tip.
Bottom line
Here in the United States, it’s standard for all kinds of hotel staff to expect tips. Up until now, that hasn’t really spread to front desk staff on a widespread basis. We are increasingly seeing properties have cards with QR codes for tipping hotel front desk staff.
On the one hand, I find it ridiculous, and think it’s more like a bribe than a tip. On the other hand, it’s a bit odd how front desk staff are among the only people we interact with at hotels where tips aren’t really expected, yet their pay doesn’t necessarily reflect that.
Where do you stand on tipping hotel front desk staff? Have you seen such a request before?
You can be damn sure the employees aren't disclosing the tips on their tax returns.
No one has ever disclosed tips as received income, not when I was a lowly pizza boy for Papa Johns, not the bartenders in NYC who work harder and deal with more than 95% of the working world, not the hired help who get cash bonuses, from doormen to cleaning crews and so forth. That's just the way it works and the IRS knows it. It's the unspoken engine of the American service economy, along...
No one has ever disclosed tips as received income, not when I was a lowly pizza boy for Papa Johns, not the bartenders in NYC who work harder and deal with more than 95% of the working world, not the hired help who get cash bonuses, from doormen to cleaning crews and so forth. That's just the way it works and the IRS knows it. It's the unspoken engine of the American service economy, along with undocumented, underage workers.
I tip like a madman but Jesus, tipping the front desk at a hotel is completely absurd.
From European point of view "tipping culture" is sick. In America it became a grotesque. Many of my friends avoid travelling to USA because of tipping - wherever and whenever. Staying in expensive hotel and paying $2000/night everyone expects excellent service - by definition. Otherwise - what's the point? And the more expensive hotel - the higher tip is expected.
Some hotels are finally putting qr codes in the room to allow digital tips to be added to the bill. If the mgmt wants part of that to be shared with front desk, that’s up to them, but I don’t think I’d tip a clerk individually. I’ve always found tipping at hotels to be the worst tipping scenario. There are several people to tip, but hotels will rarely be willing make change for you. So you have to stick up on small bills before your trip. It’s absurd.
At a few Hyatt Places I frequent, you can select the housekeeper's name from a list once you scan a QR code in the room or the elevators. They provide a little card in your room with the housekeeper's name. I found it hilarious that the front desk staff and even the manager were included in the list of the tip-able. (The QR-linked site provides job descriptions for each person.)
I don't carry cash. Haven't...
At a few Hyatt Places I frequent, you can select the housekeeper's name from a list once you scan a QR code in the room or the elevators. They provide a little card in your room with the housekeeper's name. I found it hilarious that the front desk staff and even the manager were included in the list of the tip-able. (The QR-linked site provides job descriptions for each person.)
I don't carry cash. Haven't for years. Not about to start again. (When I try to get 10s at my local BofA ATM, it never even works.) So I love this. It gives those inclined the option and doesn't pressure those who won't.
Also, my son is also named Bort.
These Companies all want YOU to pay their employees. Not them.
Exactly! Everything is QR code, or the employee turns the screen around for you to select a tip. Why? You just rang up my order, so NO TIP. It's out of control, and we need not accommodate this so that companies can give bigger profits to their shareholders.
Enough is enough!
What’s next…tipping your brain surgeon?
I have never tipped a front desk person in my life. What the hell is wrong with Americans?
I like it... But it needs to be fair... Must include a way to deduct for non-good service...
Have to wait in line to check in... MINUS $20
Room not ready by 4pm... MINUS $20 per 5 minutes
Room has a problem with TV/AIR/Cleanliness... MINUS $20 each
Towels or Toiletries not correct... MINUS $20 each
Worn carpet. bedding... MINUS $20 each
Line for checkout, bill wrong... MINUS $20 each
So...
I like it... But it needs to be fair... Must include a way to deduct for non-good service...
Have to wait in line to check in... MINUS $20
Room not ready by 4pm... MINUS $20 per 5 minutes
Room has a problem with TV/AIR/Cleanliness... MINUS $20 each
Towels or Toiletries not correct... MINUS $20 each
Worn carpet. bedding... MINUS $20 each
Line for checkout, bill wrong... MINUS $20 each
So in the end, you could walk out with them owing you for the night!!!
No? Great... then let's just zero out tipping across the board.
NO MORE TIPS ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME!
Digital Check-in, Digital Key, Digital Check-out. Problem solved. Thank god for Hilton.
Mr. Fake lawyer is now commenting with two different accounts on the same article.
A lawyer and an equity partner has that much time to comment on a travel website to brag about this achievements, very convincing.
Surprised hotels haven't gone the direction yet like some restaurants by adding an automatic gratuity to the bill.
That’s 90% of his blog these days.
Ben, good on you for still posting real posts and not just dialing it in.
Bunch of total and complete cheapskates and losers in these comments, clinging to their paltry net worths.
As Ben wrote in the article, a Manhattan front desk employee might make $20/hour. The median rent in Manhattan is $5,000 a month. And while Brooklyn or Queens is still cheaper, the difference has really shrunk. Don’t forget NYC apartments have an added cost of brokers fees (another $5,000) and holiday tips ($1,000 and up).
The solution is...
Bunch of total and complete cheapskates and losers in these comments, clinging to their paltry net worths.
As Ben wrote in the article, a Manhattan front desk employee might make $20/hour. The median rent in Manhattan is $5,000 a month. And while Brooklyn or Queens is still cheaper, the difference has really shrunk. Don’t forget NYC apartments have an added cost of brokers fees (another $5,000) and holiday tips ($1,000 and up).
The solution is clear. Make money. I’m sure the crowd in these comments don’t need to hear me reiterate Skadden’s average partner pay of $6 million a year? How about the co-CEOs of KKR whose offices are only one avenue away. $500 million a year.
When you make money, you won’t be taking such a “principled” stand on online blogs bragging about how little you can pay.
And yes by the way I vote democrat. Republicans who want lower taxes are also complete losers clinging to their paltry net worths. You raise their taxes and they’re poor. Well, that’s not happening at the equity partner level, I can tell you as much.
Where does it end? When I visited Mozambique, renting a car with a driver was just €12 a day more than self-drive. Was it up to me to ensure that my chauffeur got the extra €50 he needs in order to live well? It's not about paying more or less, it's about the responsibility of employers to pay sustainable wages. The fact that I probably would have chosen self-drive instead of paying €50 means that...
Where does it end? When I visited Mozambique, renting a car with a driver was just €12 a day more than self-drive. Was it up to me to ensure that my chauffeur got the extra €50 he needs in order to live well? It's not about paying more or less, it's about the responsibility of employers to pay sustainable wages. The fact that I probably would have chosen self-drive instead of paying €50 means that the driver may have been left without a job instead of earning €10 or whatever they paid him. I'm just not going to worry about that sort of thing, particularly if I happen to be on holiday.
You really are a tiresome boor, Arps.
Stop the madness. NO MORE TIPPING ANYWHERE for ANY THING.
Take pride in what you do.
This is hilarious. Basically a brag about how much money you make.
I come from a country where tipping isn’t normalized, but have lived in America most my adult life. Where I have an issue is in America we have a tipping culture for SOME industries and not others and are okay with it. I work at a pediatric hospital and have people on my team who unfortunately make $21-$28. We also have EVS team members who clean rooms who also don’t make a lot of money....
I come from a country where tipping isn’t normalized, but have lived in America most my adult life. Where I have an issue is in America we have a tipping culture for SOME industries and not others and are okay with it. I work at a pediatric hospital and have people on my team who unfortunately make $21-$28. We also have EVS team members who clean rooms who also don’t make a lot of money. Many of them are putting themselves in consistently difficult situations, often where families start opening up and sharing with them what they’re going through. That is really difficult. And if you think about it, they’re doing the same work as housekeeping in a hotel with the added struggle of being face to face with really sick kids and families looking for support. But we don’t tip this service… and I don’t think we should. It could lead to bad situations. I also live in a state where all employees, including servers, have to make minimum wage PLUS tip and minimum wage for fast food is $20. So sometimes I have a hard time with how much tip is expected for often low service when there are other service industries that provided even more hospitality and care and we’re culturally okay not tipping them and they make less… every time a new job title expects a tip, such as a front desk, I struggle. If I had loads of money I might not be as bothered, but I don’t. And I think providing a welcoming environment and setting the tone for the stay is part of their job description so the only times I’ve tipped is something like when they let me leave my car out front for a little longer than they should so I can get settled in or something like that.
Lawyers and high financiers aren’t the only ones working 115 hours a week but they’re basically the only ones reliably reaching 7-8+ figures of annual income. The takeaway is, life’s not fair.
This is a slippery slope. Tipped employees fall into a lower minimum wage class. In Manhattan it might be around $13 - $ 14 per hour. They may be paid $20 - $ 25 now but they are risking a challenge and I doubt that front desk gratuities could make up the difference. Unless the desk is covering concierge work i would be unlikely to tip.
This is increasingly untrue, it’s already untrue in many urban areas
Oh yes it's true. Minimum tipped wage in Maryland under $4. Georgia it's under $3. This could allow employers to start paying a lesser wage, which is why I suspect they are quietly encourage it. It cuts their payroll burden.
Stop tipping culture. You are missing the forest for the trees.
By continuing to subsidize employee wages, you perpetuate the cycle of companies underpaying their staff because they know you will do so.
Would someone rather get an extra $5 sporadically everyday, or get a permanent raise from having proper wages.
You are hurting the very people you are trying to "help" with your tips.
You are subsidizing employees no matter how you pay
Would you rather pay $120 for your hotel, or $100 for the room and $20 for the person who checks you in?
“Proper wages” don’t exist in America unless you’re in those elite professions Arps mentioned.
Nonsense.
Tipping is absurd. My 18 year old daughter is making $2,000+ working 2x5 hour shifts each week. That’s about x3 my hourly rate as a tech worker in the Bay Area.
A daughter whose daddy posts online as “crusty turd”? How embarrassing
@IH8GARYLEFF, it's arguably less embarrassing than basing your online persona around your hate for another travel blogger.
Is your daughter a stripper?
Could it be that when the concierge team are not available guests are going to the front desk and they are doing the work but not getting any compensation for doing so. Perhaps a few disgruntled employees have had a staff meeting and the hotel management thinks this is the solution.
Ben - when you say 'US tipping culture is what it is'. isn't the point that it isn't? If it 'is what it is' (i.e. it's a known quantity) then people can accept it. The fact that it is constantly changing and growing is what makes it frustrating.
Perhaps I've lost the plot, but isn't being checked in, preferably in a pleasant manner, a requirement for a hotel stay? This is not an additional service. This is not an employee going out of their way to make my stay more special. There is a zero percent chance I'm tipping someone to check me into the room that I have paid for. Zero.
Perhaps I've lost the plot, but isn't being checked in, preferably in a pleasant manner, a requirement for a hotel stay? This is not an additional service. This is not an employee going out of their way to make my stay more special. There is a zero percent chance I'm tipping someone to check me into the room that I have paid for. Zero.
Just go to kiosks or mobile check in. Would be much faster and your phone is never going to ask you for a tip.
There are many kiosks that ask for tips, although perhaps not yet in hotels.
But the kiosk won't throw shade at you if you hit "skip." Which is why many people will "give in" and simply tip.
I worked the FD at a couple different full service hotels in NYC years back (late 2000s). There was never an expectation to tip the FD, nor did I ever witness my colleagues soliciting tips. Many (not all) hotels in NYC are union properties and I can assure you that the FD staff were compensated more than fairly and tipping was not needed. Even the non union properties tend to pay competitive wages or more,...
I worked the FD at a couple different full service hotels in NYC years back (late 2000s). There was never an expectation to tip the FD, nor did I ever witness my colleagues soliciting tips. Many (not all) hotels in NYC are union properties and I can assure you that the FD staff were compensated more than fairly and tipping was not needed. Even the non union properties tend to pay competitive wages or more, in an attempt to prevent the property from unionizing.
Before moving to the FD, I worked as a bellman for a few years and it was kind of refreshing to not have to “hustle” for tips once I moved to the FD and could just focus on the job at hand which was taking care of the guests without the expectation of getting something in return from them.
It was a great experience when I was young and I met people from all over the world, but it was not something I wanted to do forever. Haha
I despise tipping culture, which is a uniquely American phenomenon, born out of an unrelenting resistance to paying people fair wages. I certainly won't tip a front desk person at a hotel. I don't tip for counter service, and I limit my tipping to 18% in most cases. 20% is for exceptional service, not the standard.
"I certainly won't tip a front desk person at a hotel. I don't tip for counter service, and I limit my tipping to 18% in most cases. 20% is for exceptional service, not the standard."
You're 100% doing it the right way. Tip creep is a thing, and it's a stupid, greedy thing. Are we actually to give money to a person for literally doing their job? Waitstaff, okay. Bartenders, okay. Taxi drivers and barbers,...
"I certainly won't tip a front desk person at a hotel. I don't tip for counter service, and I limit my tipping to 18% in most cases. 20% is for exceptional service, not the standard."
You're 100% doing it the right way. Tip creep is a thing, and it's a stupid, greedy thing. Are we actually to give money to a person for literally doing their job? Waitstaff, okay. Bartenders, okay. Taxi drivers and barbers, okay. Housekeeping, okay. Food delivery, fine. And that's plenty, it stops there. I saw a tip jar at a coffee counter at the EmQuartier in Bangkok recently. The USA is exporting its bad habits to the rest of the world; granted, it's been doing that for decades, but the tipping thing is out of control.
Hard pass. Y'all can be a whore passing out all these additional dollars at hotels, but I ain't.
Next it will be flight attendants and gate agents.
I absolutely resent and despise tipping culture especially her ein the US, where it is absolutely out of control. That being said, I've never quite understood why I would tip certain people at a hotel and not others? Like, why would I tip pretty much everyone at a hotel but not the front desk? Kind of odd.
I have a simple policy, I never tip anyone for any reason unless I visit a sit-down restaurant (not bar, not coffee shop) in the Americas where I tip 10% and maybe a bit more if it's in the USA and I have received amazing service. I also tend to refuse things like hotel staff helping me with luggage even if I know they're expecting little/nothing for their trouble. I have never seen the US...
I have a simple policy, I never tip anyone for any reason unless I visit a sit-down restaurant (not bar, not coffee shop) in the Americas where I tip 10% and maybe a bit more if it's in the USA and I have received amazing service. I also tend to refuse things like hotel staff helping me with luggage even if I know they're expecting little/nothing for their trouble. I have never seen the US as a particularly interesting place to visit and I keep my travels there to a minimum, so I am spared the most egregious bits, but I am sure that waiters in Thailand etc who are used to gringo tourism are a bit disappointed to see I've left no tip or just rounded the bill up.
It's easy enough to select zero when the payment is after the service.
The challenge is places like Shake Shack and food delivery where they are going to bring the food, but the machine asks for the tip up front.
That really is extorting, with the implicit "Don't tip and we won't serve you well".
As Ben says, it's a culture. It differs from place to place and among different venue types. I'm just surprised that I've not encountered any entity in North America use "we'll never ask" as a marketing idea. If I'm told a hotel will ensure I'm never asked for a tip until after I've checked out, I'll notice that. Depending on how it's presented, it could influence my choices.
I'd also love to see a property...
As Ben says, it's a culture. It differs from place to place and among different venue types. I'm just surprised that I've not encountered any entity in North America use "we'll never ask" as a marketing idea. If I'm told a hotel will ensure I'm never asked for a tip until after I've checked out, I'll notice that. Depending on how it's presented, it could influence my choices.
I'd also love to see a property openly disclose their internal gratuity policy. If I give $10 to the waiter, how much goes to others? Is it different if I use a card? If I charge it to the room? If I leave cash? What about the car valet? Housekeeping? A hotel that pulls back the veil and presents an offer to guests openly might be able to get some marketing traction.
I guess they all feel that when we tip we think we're giving a gift to a person and it's best we keep believing that, even when, most of the time, it's not true.
Very good point.
In Dallas, Reliant Air Conditioning's sole message on their radio ads is that their sales staff are not on commission.
And let's give a shout-out to Chick-Fil-A who ban their employees from accepting tips, among other wholesome rules.
In fact most of the fast food chains seem to ban tips.
I will not tip FD staff. The only ones I consistently tip - housekeeping for tidying my room.