Adding a tip to a restaurant bill is pretty standard in the U.S., but what about when you stay at a hotel?
Do you tip everyone who works there or just some people? And how much exactly should you be tipping? You want to give people what they deserve, but you also want to avoid wasting money on tips that aren't expected.
To help you better understand hotel tip etiquette, here are a few mistakes to avoid next time you’re traveling.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources
Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.
Forgetting to tip housekeepers
![hotel housekeeping](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/24/hotel-housekeeping.jpg)
Housekeepers make a median annual wage of $24,850, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, consider tipping them the next time you stay at a hotel.
Experts suggest $5 per day as a good tip, but you should add a little more if you’re leaving behind a mess or have kids who cause you to leave dirty diapers in the trash.
A clean experience will definitely make you want to travel more, so reward those efforts accordingly.
Taking valet service for granted
![hotel valet opens a car door](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/24/hotel-valet-opens-car-door.jpg)
If your hotel offers a valet service for your car, it might be a good idea to include a tip either when the valet parks the car or retrieves it from the hotel’s valet lot.
If you want extra care for your car, add a few more dollars to the tip and make the request to the valet. And like the shuttle driver, consider a bump up in the tip if the valet helps you load and unload bags.
Forgetting that a gratuity already is included
![hotel staff](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/24/hotel-staff.jpg)
Talk to your hotel staff when you check in to see if the hotel automatically includes a gratuity in your charges.
You may still want to add an additional tip here or there for extra service, but remember that a gratuity may be part of the bill at the end of your stay.
Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card
There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.
If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.
The best part? There's no annual fee.
Giving an ordinary tip during extraordinary times
![beautiful sunset](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/24/beautiful-sunset.jpg)
Because of COVID-19, hotels have changed policies to make sure they are meeting pandemic rules. These protocols can add time to the work hotel employees perform to serve you.
So, consider boosting your tip during these extraordinary times. The housekeeper who is more meticulous about cleaning your room or the front desk worker who does her job despite the risk of being exposed to the virus deserve an extra reward for all they do.
Tipping when it’s not necessary
![Guests checking in to a hotel](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/06/guests_checking_in_to_a_hotel.jpg)
There are times when tipping is not necessary. If the water doesn’t work or the air conditioner is blowing hot air, you do not need to tip the person who performs the repair.
Other situations are less clear. For example, if a concierge’s local knowledge adds something special to your stay, a tip makes sense. But there is no need to tip when asking for directions to a local attraction.
Butler service is another gray area. Consider rewarding butlers with a tip if you use their services on a regular basis during your stay. Otherwise, you can skip the tip.
Not tipping shuttle drivers
![shuttle driver says goodbye to guests](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/24/shuttle-driver-goodbye-to-guests.jpg)
Some hotels may offer shuttle services to and from the airport. You may also be able to use these services to get to a restaurant or event without the need for a cab or Uber driver.
In these cases, give your shuttle driver a few dollars. You also might want to add a little more to the tip if the driver helps with your suitcases or other bags.
Failing to reward work that is above and beyond
![clean towels and flowers](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/24/clean-towels-and-flowers.jpg)
Maybe the staff accommodated an unusual request, or gave you an upgrade at a reduced rate when you arrived, helping you to save money on travel costs. Any extra work that went above and beyond the usual standard should be rewarded with a tip.
Forgetting to bring extra cash
![hands of a man taking money out of a wallet](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/22/hands_of_a_man_taking_money_out_of_a_wallet.jpg)
Tips can add up over the course of a stay, depending on how much you would like to tip hotel workers and how often you decide to use hotel services.
The easiest way to reward workers is with a cash tip, so try to pack some extra cash specifically for any tipping situations you encounter.
Bottom line
![Guests getting key card in hotel](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/filters:quality(75)/images/2022/06/21/guests_getting_key_card_in_hotel.jpg)
Hotel tipping can be confusing for even the most seasoned traveler. But knowing the basic tipping rules allows you to have a good stay while appropriately tipping staff.
To put it simply, keep more money in your wallet during your stay and reward those who served you well. And if you‘re ready to book your getaway, check out some of the best travel credit cards to help fund future adventures.
Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards
Benefits
Card Details
- $0 annual fee
- Simple, flat-rate rewards
- Flexible redemption options
- Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
- Apply Now
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 19.24% - 29.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
![Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card](https://cdn.financebuzz.com/0x0/filters:quality(100)/images/2023/08/22/boa-travel-rewards-credit-card.png)
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
on Bank of America’s secure website
Intro Offer
Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
Annual Fee
$0
Why we like it
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.
Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.
Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.
- Apply Now