Traveling is supposed to be relaxing, but many feel their chest tighten when they encounter multiple tipping opportunities: cab drivers, bellhops, doormen.
Do you tip them all?
Do you tip them all the same amount?
How do you know?
To help Americans better understand appropriate gratuities, Angie's List, a consumer website for rating service professionals, surveyed members and service professionals to get their take on tipping protocols in the United States. The tippee's unsurprising consensus: When in doubt, tip big!
Hotel Tipping
- Bellhop: $1 to $2 per bag
- Car valets: $1 to $3. You can tip when you drop off the car if you like, but definitely tip at pickup.
- Room service: 10 percent is acceptable, 15 percent to 20 percent for a large or difficult order.
- Housekeeping: $2 to $3 per night; $5 if you have more than three people in a room/suite. Leave the money in an envelope with "Thank You" on it, so they know the money is for them.
- Concierge: Nothing. But if you have something brought to your room, such as a sewing kit or extra toothbrush, a $2 to $3 tip is appropriate.
- Cabana attendant: 15 percent to 20 percent of your total bill
- Tanning attendant: $5 to $10 per lotion application
- Doorman: $1 for help with each bag, $1 for hailing a cab
FAQs
Cab driver: 15 percent to 20 percent tip of the fare. (Find out ahead of time if your cabbie accepts a credit card. If he or she doesn't, make sure you have enough cash for both fare and tip.)
How much to tip a yellow cab in New York? ›
Tips are big business in New York, as they are in the rest of the US. But sadly you'll be expected to pay over the odds in the Big Apple. 20% of the fee is the recommended amount. If you're paying with card instead of cold hard cash, the amount of gratuity will automatically be added to the charge.
Do taxi drivers prefer cash tips? ›
Many drivers prefer cash, since they see it as tax-free income (although technically cash tips should be reported for taxes).
How much do you tip a tour guide in NYC? ›
Tipping tour guides in New York City
Your tour guide can make or break your experience when travelling - so when you find a great guide in New York City do tip them the standard 10%. Tips are equally welcome whether you're taking a private, multi-day, or walking tour.
What is the definitive guide to tipping? ›
Servers: 15 to 25 percent is the general range, though more can be given for excellent service. Bartenders: 15 to 25 percent is the general range, though more can be given for excellent service. Baristas: Tipping isn't necessary, but it's always appreciated. Aim for 10 to 15 percent, says Alev.
What is taxi tipping etiquette? ›
Transportation Tipping
Cab driver: 15 percent to 20 percent tip of the fare. (Find out ahead of time if your cabbie accepts a credit card. If he or she doesn't, make sure you have enough cash for both fare and tip.)
What is the tipping etiquette in New York State? ›
Tipping in New York or rest of America, it is generally 15 to 20% of bill. Travel with some cash, as it means you can easily tip your taxi driver, porter or waiter. Tipping in New York or rest of America, it is generally 15 to 20% of bill.
Do people still tip taxis? ›
As we've already said, tipping is optional, but there are plenty of ways you can increase the chance of you receiving a tip (and the size!) at the end of a journey. Here are just a few suggestions: Smiling – A genuine smile when they first get in your taxi is important.
Can you tip taxi with credit card? ›
How should you pay the tip, in cash or by credit card? If the driver specifically asks for cash, then I pay everything (fare + tip) in cash. Otherwise, I pay everything (fare + tip) by card. This saves me a lot of trips to the bank.
Why do taxi drivers only take cash? ›
It's easier to handle and manage cash compared to other modes of payment. Cash payments are immediate and there is no need to wait for the payment to be processed. Some taxi drivers may prefer cash payments to avoid paying fees associated with card payments.
Porters and bellhops: $1–$2 per bag. Housekeeping: $2–$5 per day of your visit, depending on the services supplied.
Do you tip in coffee shops in New York? ›
At coffee shops, coffee carts, cafés, and bodegas, tip at least 20 percent. Even though their pay isn't as tip dependent as waiters', the average salary for a barista in New York is just above minimum wage. And like waiters, baristas are often preparing complicated orders in a tense environment.
What is the average tip for a guide? ›
Typically, the gratuity rate for guides should be around 10 to 20 percent of the total trip cost. That means if you're paying $500 for a day or two of guided rock climbing, an appropriate tip for your guide would be between $50 and $100.
When not to tip? ›
That means you don't have to tip doctors, lawyers, teachers, plumbers or cable technicians. “Not only would it not be expected, it would be highly unorthodox and very awkward,” says Thomas Farley, an etiquette expert and keynote speaker known as Mister Manners.
How much do I tip on a $20 meal? ›
People generally tip 15-20% of the bill. To calculate tip multiply the total check by 1 plus the decimal percentage tip you'd like to leave. If you wanted to leave a 20% tip, you would add 1 to 0.20 to get 1.20. Multiply the bill by 1.20 to get the total amount you'd leave including tip.
What is the tipping trick? ›
Method 1: Move over the decimal in the bill total and then double that number. This method will allow you to tip around 18% to 20% of your pretax bill.
Is Yellow cab cheaper than Uber in NYC? ›
Taxis are usually cheaper. Taxis are more convenient for traveling between addresses in Manhattan or travelling between the airport and Manhattan. Uber/Lyft are more convenient for trips involving locations in the other four boroughs.
How much is a yellow cab in NY? ›
$3.00 initial charge. Plus 70 cents per 1/5 mile when traveling above 12mph or per 60 seconds in slow traffic or when the vehicle is stopped. Plus 50 cents MTA State Surcharge for all trips that end in New York City or Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Orange or Putnam Counties.
Do New York Yellow Cabs take cash? ›
Payments and Tipping
When you take a cab, you can pay with cash, credit card, or a payment app on your phone, like Apple Pay. NYC cab drivers are required to accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express credit cards and MasterCard and Visa debit cards with no minimum fare requirement.
Do you tip private taxi drivers? ›
If you've been extra helpful, offered to load and unload luggage or shopping, made friendly small talk, and generally provided an overall pleasant taxi ride, then you might think a 10-15% tip is a nice gesture. It would certainly be enough to put a smile on your face.
