Tipping advice for travelers: When, where, how much?
Singer and songwriter Michael Bolton, middle, is assisted by skycap Frederick Pearson, right, as he arrives at American Airlines terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. How much should he tip? Credit: AP / Damian Dovarganes
To tip or not to tip, and if yes, when and how much for what services? We asked a panel of travel experts for guidance. Keep in mind that these “tips” are only for domestic travel; tipping customs vary overseas, and there are no hard rules as to amounts. As Wendy Perrin, editor of wendyperrin.com, says, “I’m not a fan of giving somebody a tip just because they came to work. Shouldn’t tipping be to reward good service? And shouldn’t the amount of a tip vary depending on the quality of service received?”
Our expert panel: Perrin; Ed Perkins, contributor, SmarterTravel.com; William D. Frye, associate professor, College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Niagara University; and Sarah Schlichter, senior editor of IndependentTraveler.com
AT THE AIRPORT
RENTAL-CAR SHUTTLE BUS DRIVER
Perrin It depends on what they do for you. “If they help with a heavy bag, maybe $1 or $2.”
Perkins $1
Frye $2 per person but only “if they assist with luggage.”
SKYCAP
Perrin $2 per bag
Perkins $2 for one bag, $3 for two
Frye “If they check luggage, $3 to $5 for the first bag and $2 for each additional bag, depending on how heavy. For red caps who assist at baggage claim, tip $5 for the first bag and $3 to $5 for each additional bag.”
WHEELCHAIR ATTENDANT
Perrin It depends. “How long did they accompany you, did they work on a holiday?”
Perkins $2 to $5 depending on time and distance
Frye $5 to $20 “depending how long they spend assisting. Courtesy and promptness should also factor in.”
AT THE HOTEL
MAID
There was a wide range for this essential employee.
Perrin It “depends how big a mess my kids have made. Perhaps $5 to $10 a day.”
Perkins Flat $2 per day
Frye $2 to $5 per night, but “double if the room is a suite.”
Schlichter $2 to $5 per night, “depending on how messy your room is.”
EMPLOYEE WHO BRINGS ICE, IRON, ETC.
Perrin No tip is necessary “unless he or she had to go to great lengths to procure the item.”
Perkins Flat $2
CONCIERGE
Perrin “It depends how much of his time you took up, whether he got you the reservation because you couldn’t, whether the restaurant was sold out, etc.”
Frye “$10 for simple tasks, and it goes up from there, depending on the service.”
Schlichter “$5 to $25 for a concierge who has provided personal service.”
BELLHOP
Perrin It depends on how far your room is from the front desk, how fast the bags are delivered and how many bags you have.
Perkins $1 to $2 per bag
Schlichter $1 to $2 per bag
DOORMAN WHO HELPS YOU INTO A CAB
Perrin If that’s his job, nothing, but $2 or $3 “if it’s raining and cabs are hard to find.”
Frye “If they unload or store your luggage, tip $5 for the first bag and $3 to $5 for each additional bag, and $2 to $3 more if cabs are hard to find.”
Schlichter $1 to $3
ON THE GROUND
TAXI OR UBER DRIVER
Schlichter “Part of the appeal of Uber is that you don’t need to tip, but you can if you like (in cash), and there’s some evidence that you could get a higher rating from your driver if you do.”
Most of our experts suggest the standard 15 percent to 20 percent.
TOUR GUIDE
Perrin “It totally depends on the circumstances. Is it a large-group tour? Small-group tour? Private tour?”
Perkins $3 for a half day, $5 for a full day
Frye $3 to $10
Schlichter “Museum guides do not need to be tipped, unless it’s an exceptional tour. For half- or full-day tours, tip $5 to $25 depending on the length, quality and cost of the tour.”
COACH DRIVER
Perrin quips, “The less a bus tour guide talks, the more I’d tip him.”
Perkins “$5 to $10 for one day, less per day on longer tours.”
Frye $3 to $5 per day
Schlichter $5 per day for the driver, and $8 to $10 a day for the guide
WHO NOT TO TIP
Our panel agrees that one would never tip flight attendants, airport check-in agents, TSA agents, airport club-lounge agents, airport gate agents, airline pilots, car-rental agents and especially not, Perrin says, “the hotel bellman who wheels my carry-on (despite my objections because I’d rather keep hold of it myself) to the front desk.”
