Tipping is a time-honored tradition that many people follow when they are staying in hotels. The question on most travelers’ minds is, “How much should I be tipping?” The amount of money you should be leaving depends on the quality of service and what kind of room you have.
According to an article from USA Today, “the average person who stays in a hotel will leave about $2 dollars per day.”
However, if someone goes out of their way to provide excellent service and does something above and beyond what’s expected then it’s customary to tip more than just $2 dollars per day.
This post will go over the standard hotel tipping etiquette and how to figure out if you need to tip more or less depending on your stay.
Table of Contents
- Rules for Tipping in Hotels
- How Much Should I Be Tipping When Staying in an Airbnb?
- The Don’ts of Tipping in Hotels
- Takeaway
Rules for Tipping in Hotels
When it comes to tipping in hotels, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Tipping is always optional. If you don’t feel like tipping or don’t have any cash on hand, that’s okay.
- The amount of money you tip also depends on the quality of service and what kind of room you have.
- It’s customary to leave at least $2-3 per day for porters and housekeepers, but this can vary depending on the hotel.
- If someone provides great service, go ahead and tip more than the standard $2 per day. Some people even tip as much as $10 per night for exceptional service.
- You do not need to tip the front desk staff unless they provide an EXTRAordinary level of service (this is extremely rare). It’s usually not necessary to tip the front desk staff unless they are giving you extra favours as a VIP or are going above and beyond making sure your stay is incentivised to the maximum.
- If you are staying at a high end or luxury hotel, it is customary to leave $10-20 per night for housekeeping staff (again, this can vary). The more luxurious the hotel, the more tip is expected from a guest.
- In most cases, you do not need to tip the valet or concierge. These services are expected at hotels and a tip isn’t necessary.
Note: Keep in mind that tipping etiquette varies from country to country. For example, it’s customary for people in South Korea to leave about $3-5 per day for hotel staff, but this custom can vary in India.
How Much Should I Be Tipping When Staying in an Airbnb?
When it comes to tipping while staying on AirBnB property things get a little more complicated. You should definitely consider leaving some money behind when using AirBnBs because many hosts use these extra funds towards their own personal expenses including taxes.
The standard rule of thumb with renting out rooms through AirBnB is to leave $8-10 per day for the host. This will ensure that they are happy with your stay and you’re likely to get better service in the future. The amount of money you tip also depends on the quality of service and what kind of room you have.
The Don’ts of Tipping in Hotels
It’s also important to know when NOT TO TIP: never ever give tips directly to your service providers. Give them all money through the front desk if possible. This ensures their money goes into the right hands.
Also, note that some travelers believe they shouldn’t have to pay extra gratuity, but this is up for debate among travel experts because there are many factors that go into providing quality service.
Takeaway
At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether or not to leave a tip for your hotel staff. If you’re unsure about how much to give, ask the front desk what is customary and/or research online regarding the customs of the country you’re in before you depart.
Tipping is a great way to show your appreciation for good service, so don’t be afraid to reward those who provide it.
