Gratuity Guide

Transportation
Coaching & Consulting
Taxi, Shuttle or
Limo Drivers
15% - 20% of the fare. Minimum $1. Plus $2
for the first bag and $1 for the second bag;
extra if he handles heavy luggage.
Hotel Courtesy
Shuttle Drivers
$1 - $2 per person, plus $1 - $2 extra if he
handles luggage.
Airport and Train
Porter
$1 - 2 per bag, $2 for very heavy bags.
Sky Cap
$2 first bag, $1 per additional bag, or $2 for
very heavy bags. Add a little extra for
curbside check in.
Airport
Wheelchair
Assistance
Gratuity
Guide
USA
$3 - $5 upon arrival at the gate.
Beauty & Spa Services
Hair Salon and
Barber Shops
15% - 20%, ask to split the amount among
those who served you.
Manicurist/
Pedicurist
15% - 20% of services.
Aesthetician
15% - 20% of services.
Other Spa/Beauty
Services
15% - 20% of services.
Massage
Therapist
20% of service
Shoeshine
$1 - $2.
About Gratuity
In the United States, a gratuity, or tip, is
generally given as a “gift” in addition to the
cost of the meal and/or service to the person
who has provided the service.
You are not obligated to leave a gratuity, but it
is generally expected to leave one. This is
because many individuals who are employed in
certain service industries depend on the tips
they receive as part of their income.
You may ask “Why should I familiarize myself
with proper etiquette for tipping?”
The answer to this question is simple. You
appear more profession when you can tip
without having to guess how much to leave.
You can also choose to leave a more generous
tip for exceptional service or if you are a
regular customer or client.
Disclaimer: While every effort was made to
provide you with the most current information,
gratuities may vary by locality, neither is it allinclusive.
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Hotel
Fine Dining
Bell Staff
$1 per bag, $2 for very heavy bags.
Wait Staff
15% - 20% of the pre-tax dinner tab.
Maids
$2 - $5 per day, depending on the amount
of mess you left behind; usually more for
high-end hotels. The tip is left daily on a
pillow or on the desk with a note clearly
market “Housekeeping.”
Captain of Wait
Staff
5% added to pre-tax tab. You will recognize
the captain because he is the person who
takes your order, prepares special dishes at
the table, and sometimes presents the bill.
Room Service
$1- $5, in addition to the service charge
included on your bill. 15% - 20% if no
service charge is added to the bill.
(Inquire about charges at time you place
your order)
Wine Steward or
Sommelier
$3.00 - $5.00 per bottle or 15% - 20% of
wine cost. The amount is given directly to
the sommelier when the wine is opened at
the table.
Parking
Attendant
$1- $2, tip when the car is returned to
you. $2 - $5 at upscale hotels.
Doorman
A smile and a “thank you” when he opens
the door.
$1 - $2 if the doorman hails you a cab.
Add a little more if it is raining.
$1 - $4 if the doorman is handling and
carrying luggage.
Concierge
Parking Valet
$1 - $5; tip when the car is returned to you.
(It is a nice gesture to walk clients to their
car and tip the attendant.)
Coatroom
Attendant
$1 - $2 per coat.
Restroom
Attendant
$0.50 - $1; up to $3 depending on the level
of service.
Host or Maitre d'
No obligation. You may want to give $5.00 $20.00 if the host or hostess provided extra
service i.e., a special table you otherwise
wouldn't have been able to get or you are a
regular at the restaurant.
Advice and directions are free.
$5 - $20 (and sometimes more) for tickets
and restaurant reservations. The amount
of the tip depends on the request and the
level of difficulty to obtain the ticket or
reservation.
Special Requests
for Courtesy
Items
If you request something delivered to
your room, tip $1 per item received.
Concierge
(High rise
apartments)
The same as in hotels (see above)
Bars & Restaurants
Wait staff
(sit down; fullservice
restaurants)
15% - 20% of the total pre-tax bill,
including alcohol. How much you tip
depends on how you perceived the
service. (Note: In the past, restaurants
usually added the gratuity to the bill for
large parties; today some restaurants add
it to all bills—large and small. Also, some
restaurants now recommend to base the
1
gratuity on the after tax amount .
Bartender
$1 for beer or wine, $2 for mixed drinks,
or 15% - 20% of the bar tab. (Note: Most
restaurants will ask you to close out your
bar tab before leaving for your table.)
Hotel Buffets
$1 - $2 for business breakfasts; tipping is
not necessary for complimentary
breakfasts; at high-end hotels that serve
brunch usually 10% - 20% of bill.
“Casino Style”
Buffets
If you have wait staff that takes your
beverage order and checks on you, leave
$1 - $2 to show your appreciation.
Front Counter
Orders
Depends. Tip 5% - 10% if you order at the
front, but the food is delivered to your
table (you usually get an “order
number”). If the food is delivered to your
table only as a convenience than no
tipping is necessary.
“Fast Food”
Buffets
Optional. No tipping is necessary.
Tip Jars
No obligation. Tip 5% - 10% for good
service or complicated orders.
Take-out
No obligation. 10% for curb-side delivery
and complicated orders.
Other
Catering
15% - 20% of the total bill.
Home/Office
Delivery
10% - 15% of the bill for food (check with
your local delivery network about minimum
order requirements and other charges); tip
$2 - $5 for pizza delivery depending on the
size of the order and difficulty of delivery.