When you stay in hotel that charges a daily fee for pkg and it's only valet, do you tip the one who parks your car and also the one who brings it to you, if so how much? And, if you get your car in and out a few times a day, do you do it each time?

ISY

$2 each time. It isn't their fault the hotel charges.

In all honesty, it probably isn't the hotel's parking but they contract with a parking garage and in turn they must pay.

But don't you tip when they reurn your car not when they take it to park?

I'm intrigued by the previous answer. Maybe it is tippers like this this cause waiters to feel they've been stiffed if you don't give them a 20% tip.

As far as I know, a tip is not expected when you park your car. When you pick up your car, give a $1 or $2 tip. Remember, some people are so clueless (or cheap) that they give no tip. As a result, a $1 tip invariably (in my experience) gets a "thank you." And, I sometimes give only a $1 tip if service is poor or if I've been tipping the same valet over and over for a few days.

You don;t tip when they take the car - only when they bring it to you. (You tip the bellman when he brings the bags to your room - not when he pulls them out of the trunk.)

And yes - usually $2 is OK - unless you're staying at a place charging $1000 per night - then I would make it $5.

htty, who were you referring to regarding the previous post?

In any case I agree that you tip only when your car is returned to you. If you forget this then think about all those movie scenes where the valet take the car. You don't see the owner tip at that time but you do see the owner hand the valet money at the same time the valet hands the keys back to the owner.

All I know is I tip $2 all the time and I never wait for my car. By the end of the week when everyone else is waiting for their car from valet, mine is usually the first one out.

I know this answer. My sons did this at hotels or restaurants during college years. When arriving in your car from a day of touring (or to a restaurant), you don't always have to tip the person who parks it, unless you have a high profile car you want them to keep an eye on. But a couple bucks is very nice for them.

However, when you request your car, when you are going out for the day or(finished dinner) you tip them $2-3 for bringing the car around.

The Valet employees do not get the Fee the hotel charges, just min. wage, and they have to keep up their own uniform, sending white shirt/slacks to cleaners.

Some hotels require all tips put in a box and split the end of the night, but $5 bills you are allowed to keep.
Many people stiff the valet, because they think the Hotel Fee is so high, so that is why some companies share at the end of the evening.

Many valet workers know the local area, give restaurant or tourist suggestions, driving directions.

hmmm.. my bags weigh no more at a $1000/night hotel!

I tip both when they take the car, and when they return it. I don't like the tipping situation, but must live with it, and I figure either of these guys could be less than careful with my car if they're ticked off about another cheapskate. When I think about it, maybe better insurance to tip when the car is taken ... who knows what misfortunes might occur if the valet has an "attitude" ... whereas you've already got your car back at the other side of your dealing with valets.

I agree with GoT. I think the "right answer" is tipping when they bring your car to you. I tip both times. Always. I started doing it just because it "felt fair". And, a while later, I realized that I always got great service from the valet.

Many times, for work purposes, I have to have my car nearby for long periods of time. Somehow, "magically" it seems I get my car quickly. One time, at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation, the valet guy saw me over a sea of faces - and a long line yet to turn in valet tix (after a conference ended). He nodded. A few minutes later, my car was there.

I tip valet and bellmen very well. And, it does pay off in time saved.

Freakin' brilliant, rb_travelerxATyahoo!
You are absolutely correct. I think I will switch my strategy!

Out of curiosity, I asked the manager of valet parking at the hotel we use in Houston what the expectation is. He told me it is customary to tip the attendant when the vehicle is picked up, not when the vehicle is returned. Regardless, we tip picking up and dropping off.

I have always tipped when they take the car and when they return it. It is not always the same valet.

When you leave a tip for a housekeeper for a one-night stay, it may not go to the person who made up your room. Who cares? If everybody tipped it would even out.

a dollar tip when they park my Escort.50 bucks when the valet brings back a new BMW.

We always tip for both when they park it as well as when they retrieve it. Usually $2-3 each time. Since we live in the rainy PNW, if it is raining, then they get more.

I've never been in a situation where I thought somebody else was getting their car faster than me for any reason--even by tipping more (except in the case of a pushy Senator).

I don't think it benefits the common good any good if a few people (for reasons only they know) tip when they drop off their cars and then give $3-$5 when they pick up their cars again.

This is how we've ended up with waiters who expect a $40 tip from a couple goes out to dinner on Tuesday night because they just don't feel like cooking.

Well I don't understand why one only tips when the car is delivered. It takes just as long and just as much effort to take my car and park it as it does to go get my car and bring it back to me. Anyway, I tip both times and it doesn't really break the bank so to speak. But each person should feel free to tip in the way they feel comfortable with.

I'm with LoveItaly. The "common good" is not what I'm concerned about when tipping for a service. I started tipping both ways because it was what I felt to do was the "right" thing to do regarding the guy running and back and forth, to and from my car. Works for him. Works for me. So, I would say it works. I don't do it for the safety of my car - because 90% of the time he's not parking my personal car. A (very nice) side effect is that, as GoTravel says, I often get my car faster than others. Not at the one-time restaurant drop-off - but at times when it counts. But, that's the plus - not the reason I do it.

It's interesting how different individual's experiences can be. I guess I'm lucky. I usually have very good restaurant service and haven't run across any servers that expect a $40 tip for a weeknight dinner for two. I do know that I would not frequent the same place again if I had that experience.

Wow! Thanks, everyone. Guess we'll make sure we have plenty of singles with us! My instinct was to tip both ways each time. Will see if it makes a difference in service.

ISY