Tulips

Have a good time in Italy, and don't forget to tip the pilot on your way over

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-the-pilot.cfm

CarolA

It's not a tip... it's a bribe.

Tips are for service. Paying someone before they have provided a service to get something you may or may not be entitled to is a 'bribe' LOL!

As an elite at Marriott, Starwood and Hilton who has traveled in Europe using points I find it's just like at home. If they can sell the room for cash they will. Remember the "upgrades" are "space available" not "entitlements" Reading on Flyertalk should have taught you that it's the home of "entitlement" That place is full of people who think that they are truly too important... It's amazing to read but don't take the "entitlement" advice. It's a small minority of travelers with problems IMHO!

And really, are you in Europe for the hotel room?

polly229

Thanks, Tulips. The pilot thread was a hoot. Since I never recline my seat in coach as a courtesy to other passengers, I wonder if I can expect to get enough from the person behind me to cover the pilot's tip? (I also never kick the seat of the person in front of me. Maybe I can get something for that, too. Or maybe you only tip for that if the person behind you is under the age of 12.)

CarolA

And Gordon....

"Would you try to bribe someone at home in the USA? "

Actually as has been pointed out in this thread in certain parts of the US it's actually considered the "norm" (Vegas, Atlantic City etc..)

So before you attack maybe you should research or perhaps you are just making the same error in judgement you accused the poster of?

crosscheck

The $20 Vegas upgrade is a well-known custom. A friend who goes there often for work told me about it a long time ago. There is a 66 page thread about it on flyertalk:

http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...omment-8105605

We get upgrades about 75% of the time, including in Europe, just by asking nicely. We were recently upgraded in Florence from a standard room to a 1000 sq ft suite.

crosscheck

^^
Oops - wrong link. Here's the correct one:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/las-v...very-well.html

Dukey1

First of all,if you are using points for rooms then you definitely PAID for those rooms somewhere along the line.

As to tipping the front desk it certainly is not unheard of even in the US. And all those people on those boards who said they got this and that...some people love to fabricate the truth.

Only problem with tipping first is, how will you know you actually got a "better" room?

nytraveler

No - this is a terrible idea.

You can certainly ask for the best room available at that rate - and do it very pleasantly. It helps if you have a reason for asking - that is celebrating a big anniversary or something. Do not behave as if you should get it. And don't start throwing money around.

In europe people in service jobs get decent wages and offering someone a very small amount - would be an insult - and might get you a worse room.

We hve been upgraded quite a few times - often without asking - since we usually go for the deluxe room or whatever - and those people are more likely to get upgrades than those payig for the basic one.

Gordon_R

CarolA, as you said yourself "It's not a tip... it's a bribe." and "Actually as has been pointed out in this thread in certain parts of the US it's actually considered the "norm" (Vegas, Atlantic City etc..)". So therefore you're affirming that it's perfectly OK to bribe people in your country. Well that's news to me, but, if so, the American "tipping culture" is truly more out of control than ever.

Everywhere else in the developed world I know, bribery is considered at least morally questionable, and at worst an insidious form of corruption that is specifically covered by criminal law. The message to the OP was loud and clear - not just from me but several other posters (including US citizens) - bribing hotel staff in Europe is simply not appropriate behaviour and could get you into some very awkward and unpleasant situations.

bilboburgler

We tend towards the cheaper rooms in the better hotels and get upgraded a fair bit of the time. I carry a certain "air" about me...