Tipping Guide for Travel Within the United States

The American practice of tipping can be quite confusing to many travelers. Many workers in the hospitality and service industries in the United States, however, depend upon tips to make up a significant portion or almost all of their incomes. A traveler is likely to come across many situations where tips are the accepted manner of compensation. It is a good idea to keep ten to twenty $1 bills on hand for tipping while traveling. Here is a quick guide to common tiping practices within the United States:

Barista: None required, although many will leave the change from their drink order

Bartender or Cocktail Server: $1-2 per round of drinks or 10-15% of the total bill. If you order a full meal at the bar, you should tip the same as you would for a restaurant server.

Bell Service: $1-2 per bag for delivering your luggage to your room or your vehicle. If the bell staff also prepares your room or gives you a short tour of the property, a small additional gratuity is appreciated.

Buffet Servers: 10-15% of total bill. Coat-check Attendant: $1-2 per coat, jacket or other checked item.

Counter Service: Though some establishments will place out a tip jar, tipping is optional. Tips are generally not given at fast food establishments like McDonalds, Burger King, etc.

Courtesy Shuttle Driver: $1-2 per person or $5 per party.

Courtesy Delivery: $1-2 for deliveries of extra blankets, wine glasses, towels etc. to your room.

Doormen/Porters: $1-2 for hailing cabs; $1-2 per bag for help with luggage.

Food Delivery (such as pizza or Chinese delivery): 10% of total bill ($2 minimum tip).

Hairdresser/Barber: 15-20% of the total bill. Additionally, shampoo persons are often individually tipped $2.

Hotel Housekeeping: $1-5 per night depending upon the level of service provided and the level of the hotel. It is best to tip daily as different staff is likely to clean your room each day. Place the tip in a clearly marked envelope or binder so that it is obvious what the money is for.

Pool Attendant: $1-2 for each service performed such as inflating rafts, setting up chairs or providing towels.

Restaurant Server: 15-20% of total bill (more for particularly exceptional service). 20% is becoming standard for good service. 15% is generally the minimum even for mediocre service. If you feel the need to leave less than that you should call over a manager and explain why you feel your service was so poor. This will let the manager know about a poorly performing or overworked employee and may get a portion of your bill discounted as compensation for the poor service that you received.

Room Service: 15-20% of total bill (check your bill when food is delivered, gratuity is often already included. No additional is necessary in this situation).

Skycap Service: $1-2 per bag for curbside check-in, $2-4 per bag for bringing bags to check-in counter.

Sommelier: 15% of the bottle cost if you require sommelier service.

Spa Service: 15-20% of the total service bill.

Taxi/Limousine Driver: 15-20% of the fare unless a service charge is already included.

Valet Parking: $2-5 for each time the car is returned to you. Tipping is optional when the car is being taken away.

Washroom Attendants: $.50-$1.

If you are planning on taking a cruise as part of your trip, tip policies will vary per cruise line. Check with your cruise line to see what the customary tips are for their ship staff. Additionally, tipping is customary at many golf courses and clubs. Check out this article for more details on golf course tipping: http://golf.about.com/cs/beginnersguide/a/golftipping.htm

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