How do you tip a hotel valet?

The American Hotel & Lodging Association recommends $1 to $5 when someone delivers your car; tipping when your car is parked is up to your discretion. You also may not always get the same valet, so it's nice to give something extra to different people moving your car back and forth.



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Whether valet parking is complimentary or incurs a fee, it is customary to tip at least a dollar. It's customary to tip both when dropping off and picking up your car. Most people do both, as the valet staff may differ for your arrival and departure. Tip more if you need special services from your parking attendant.

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How much you should tip a valet. For a mid-level hotel with valet service, you should tip anywhere from $2 to $5, Osten says. The American Hotel & Lodging Association recommends $1 to $5 when someone delivers your car; tipping when your car is parked is up to your discretion.

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The general rule of thumb is a couple of dollars for each day. You should leave the tip out in the open, like the nightstand, and with a note so the housekeeper doesn't confuse it with cash you've just left out (which you should never do, by the way).

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The standard tip for valet parking at a 5-star hotel is $5-$10 per vehicle. When it comes to tipping valet parking attendants at 5-star hotels, the general standard is to tip between $5-$10 per vehicle. This amount is considered reasonable and appropriate for the level of service provided.

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On nights that aren't busy and the “valet full” sign isn't on display, a $20 tip is often enough to have them leave your car up front. While this isn't a big deal at a lot of the smaller, free valets, it can save a lot of time (even more than a “first up”) at large paid ones.

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But, at minimum, it's customary to tip when you check in and out of the hotel. If you're not happy with the service, don't tip. You don't have to reward bad behavior. If your valet drove your car too fast or wasn't polite when delivering your car, you are under no obligation to tip.

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Make sure the tip is visible, like on the dresser or next to the bathroom sink. Avoid leaving your housekeeping tips on the bed or nightstand, as these areas risk your cash getting jostled around or lost when bed sheets are changed. Leave your tip on top of, or next to, a thank you note.

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As we said above, a good rule of thumb for tipping a valet in 2023 is between $3 and $5. Most people tip right in the middle ($4). Keep in mind, this is a baseline. If your driver does something to go above and beyond the call of duty, you can always tip more to show recognition of that extra effort.

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The average suggested tip amount is $2-3 per day and up to $5 per day if you're staying at a 4 or 5-star hotel. It's fair to take into consideration how much mess you leave for housekeeping to deal with. Did your kids spill something on the couch or make a mess that will take extra time to clean up?

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According to statistics collected by The New York Times, only about 30% of hotel guests leave a tip for housekeepers.

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Tip $1-5 per bag when you are escorted to your room (especially if your luggage is heavy or they prepare your room or show you around). Tip the same if you request bell staff service checking out. Tip $1-2 for getting a taxi. If they unload your luggage, tip in proportion to the amount and weight.

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For bellhops, you can tip between $1-2 per bag for standard service. Room Service will typically have a built-in gratuity on the check, and potentially a delivery or packaging fee. While additional gratuity is always appreciated, it isn't required.

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We now offer the option to mobile tip! While tipping is not required, if you feel inclined to tip with a credit card or cash, our shuttle drivers are always appreciative.

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When to tip your hotel room cleaners. Some travelers like to leave one tip for hotel housekeeping at the end of their stay. But most experts say it's better to leave a tip every day of your trip. “We recommend tipping nightly, as your room may be serviced by different people,” said Ten Eyck.

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Pro tip: Tip everyone: While most travelers know to tip a bellman or valet, few leave anything for the front-desk agent—despite their enormous power to influence the quality of your stay. “The front desk isn't a tipped position, so when you do tip, it makes them beholden to you,” Tomsky said.

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“It is not customary to tip at a continental breakfast that is served buffet-style,” Bergen says. “It is customary and appreciated to tip during breakfast when there is a server who takes your order or serves coffee and juice.”

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