Tipping 101, what you should know when you are on vacation.
Tipping can be one of the most confusing and frustrating parts of your vacation if not prepared. Who do you tip and how much? Do you need to tip? We at Brides Travel, have put together a guideline that will put your mind at ease so you can enjoy your vacation.
AIRPORTS AND TRANSPORTATION
If your luggage is heavy, when arriving or leaving from the airport or train station, the standard porter rate of $1 per bag. A $1 tip for hailing a taxi is perfect. When you arrive at your hotel, tip the taxi or limo driver. Ten to 15 percent of your total fare is standard. If you drive your own car, give the valet parking attendant $1 to $2. If you take a shuttle van or bus, tip the standard tip is $2 per person.
HOTELS AND RESORTS
The bellman, who greets your at the hotel, should receive $1 to $2 per bag. Give the bellman his tip when he brings your bags to your room. The concierge, who can make dinner and tour reservations, deserves $5 to $10 depending on how difficult it is to get the reservation to the cool hip restaurant. You may tip at the time of service or at the end of the trip. The maid should receive a $2 tip each day.
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
If you’re taking a tour and a tip is not automatically included, tip a local guide $1 per person for a half-day tour, $2 for full-day tour. Tip a private guide more. If you are on a multi-day tour, we suggest anywhere from $5 to $10 per person per day. Don’t forget to tip the driver as well! $1 to $2 is sufficient.
CRUISE SHIP
If you do not purchase the gratuity package, the guideline is per day,dining room waiter receive $3.50 per person, the dining room assistant waiter should receive $2.00 per person, the dining room maitre’d $3.50 per person and the dining room manager $1.50 per person. The room steward should receive per day, $3.50 per person. Other personnel, such as bar waiters, bellboys and deck stewards may be tipped as you go along. Tip according to your comfort level and only on the last evening of your cruise.
RESTAURANT
In Europe and Asia, restaurants add on an additional 15 percent (usually listed on the menu or check as a “service charge”) and do not expect tips. Outside of Europe and Asia, outstanding service should be rewarded with 20 percent of the total bill and a standard tip is 15 percent of the bill, less taxes. If you are doing drinks at the bar, a 10% tip is standard. If you receive personalize service from a wine steward, the standard tip is 10% of your wine bill.
There maybe extras you may want to tip, the maitre d’ between $5 and $10 if he gets you a table (without a reservation), a$1 for coat check and another $1 for restroom attendants.
Rule of thumb for tipping while on your vacation, you should always tip more when the service is excellent, no matter what the service. They will be grateful and will continue to give you rock star service…and you can enjoy your vacation!
