I plan on making extensive use of our hotel's concierge during our stay in London in May - what is the tipping protocol?

kate <BR>there are many ways to handle this. <BR>You can tip per occasion, or save it and tip when you leave. Concierge staff shifts rotate of course and the same person is not on duty every day at all hours, and may not be there the day you leave. Sometimes there is one head concierge with a staff,and sometimes the request you give to the person at the concierge desk in the morning will be handled by the person who comes on in the afternoon. They'll often sign a message slip or confirmation with their names. <BR>Once I stayed at a hotel that had a distinct "head" concierge, and I left him the envelope with a note to please share my offering with his staff. Of course I'll never know if he did or not, and I'm not sure I'd do it that way again. <BR> <BR>I usually play it by ear for a couple of days, I see who seeems to be doing what for me, who seems to be most responsive, who did something extra nice for me. <BR>I don't bother to tip on each occasion if it's just confirming a restaurant reservation that I already had, for example. But if it's several requests, or hard-to-get tickets or reservations, then I'll offer something after a couple of days, even if I'm still staying on.

Could someone please help me to determine what the sensible or/and usual method is of determining the tip amount? Is it by the service provided or the time spend providing the service? I am loath to use the concierge and look the fool, therefore, I don't use the service. <BR> <BR>Please help. linda

I don't always tip a concierge in money. Sometimes, when I am in a city that has a well used public transportation system, such as Paris, I will usually buy a carnet of metro tickets & then ask the concierge if he/she uses the metro & if yes, I give them the extra tickets I have, which could be anywhere from 3 to about 7 tickets. They usually have been appreciative of this. Normally that is for the hotel staff which I have been conversing with & asking questions during my stay. If they say they don't use the metro, or have a paa for the system, I will usually take my leftover coins (which can be substantial)& let them know I will not be able to use it when I get home, so I give it to them.

Thanks Bill. Any other people with guidelines?

Hi kate: <BR>Go to Fodor's home page. click on Past Conversation Piece, scroll waaayyy down to Fodor' Focus, check Ask the Concierge-John Vlahides-Jan 15-28, 2001 <BR>There was some great stuff posted there. <BR>Gave a great trip!

Thank you all for the advice.