The 10 commandments of tipping while travelling

TIPPING can be a tricky subject, especially when it comes to travel: Who do you have to tip? How much? What if the service is terrible? Never fear, we’ve got you covered.

The 10 commandments of tipping

TIPPING can be a touchy subject, especially when it comes to travel: Who do you have to tip? How much? What happens when the service is terrible?

No worries — we’ve got you covered. We spoke with Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach, US, to come up with our 10 Commandments of Travel Tipping.

1. Tip unless given a reason not to

“It’s customary in the United States to tip,” says Whitmore. It’s the way our system works, and people depend on tips as income. So when you’re travelling here, until that changes (or unless you received poor service — more on that later), cough it up.

2. Check if there’s a service charge already added

Especially with travel-related tipping, there may be a gratuity already built into the total on bills for things like room service and car service (thanks, Uber!).

3. Carry lots of small notes

(Caveat: There is the off chance that you may be mistaken for a stripper, but it will make tipping on your trip so much easier.)

4. Tip anyone who touches your bags (because they’re supposed to, not because they’re creepy)

The rule of thumb is $US1 ($1.10) a bag in the US. If your bag is especially heavy or clumsy, then make it $2 or $3 per bag.

5. A 15 per cent tip is solid when it comes to service providers like waiters, maître d’s and cab drivers

“Ten per cent is too little, 18 per cent is generous, but 20 per cent is easier to estimate,” says Whitmore.

Niceness makes the world go round.

6. Don’t react to poor service with an obnoxious 20-cent tip

“First, talk to the manager and make sure the problem was not something out of your service provider’s control — sometimes it seems like it was your waiter’s fault, for example, but it really had to do with the kitchen,” suggests Whitmore.

If you decide the service wasn’t the kind that deserves a thank you, then give nothing, but leave a respectful note about what went wrong.

7. You’ll receive better service if you tip — especially if you tip well

“Money talks,” says Whitmore. “That valet will remember you’re the person who gave him a few dollars,” which especially comes in handy if you’re staying somewhere for several days. (That valet attendant, by the way, should get $2 to $5 each time he retrieves your car.)

8. If someone gives you extra help, tip extra

If after you tip the bellman for bringing you your bags, you then have him go get you some ice, give him another $1 or $2.

The staff have to be respectful and courteous as part of their jobs (and human decency), but if they’ve gone out of their way, show them you appreciate the additional effort.

9. Make sure you think of everyone

We all know to tip the taxi driver, the waiter, even the bellman. But don’t forget the poor housekeeping staff a tip. (They should get $2 to $3 a night.) Don’t forget your maître d ($10 to $100 depending on the restaurant), the concierge who got you dinner reservations ($10 for a hard-to-get rezzie), or the doorman who took your bags out of the car ($1 to $2 a bag).

If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for Maria Shriver.

Don’t forget the housekeeper.

10. When in doubt, follow this list

Still not sure whom to tip when or how much? Follow Whitmore’s handy-dandy reference guide for when you’re in the US:

• Taxi drivers: 10 to 15 per cent of the bill

• Car service driver: 20 per cent of the bill. (Though in some cases — like with Uber, for instance — the tip is included. If you’re not sure, ask.)

• Shuttle drivers: Tip $1 per bag, more if they’re heavy

• Skycaps: $1 to $2 per bag

• Hotel doorman: $1 to $2 per bag for moving your bags from the car to the bell cart. Tip $1 to $2 for hailing you a taxi.

• Bellman: $1 to $2 per bag and $1 to $2 for every additional delivery to your room.

• Concierge: $10 or more for special services such as securing you a hard-to-get reservation to a popular restaurant. (You don’t have to tip for restaurant recommendations or directions.)

• Housekeeper: $2 to $3 per night. Add another $1 to $2 for special requests like towels, shampoo or blankets.

• Room service waiter: 15 to 18 per cent of the bill before taxes. Tipping is optional if a service charge is included in the bill.

• Valet: $2 to $5 each time an attendant retrieves your car

• Spa service provider: 15 to 20 per cent of the bill

• Coatroom attendant: $1 to $2 per item

• Restaurant maitre d’: $10 to $100 depending on the restaurant, occasion and level of service you expect. Present the tip before you sit down at your table.

• Waiter: at least 15 per cent

• Wine sommelier: Gratuity is optional, but 5 to 10 per cent is recommended for an extremely helpful one.

• Restroom attendant: 50 cents to $1 for handing you a towel or if you use any products displayed on the sink

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Travel and was sourced via the New York Post.

Don’t forget the bathroom attendant. Picture: iStock