valet parking?

[ncage]

Like my previous post i have a question about a recent trip i'll be taking. The hotel i'm staying at only has valet parking. Its pricey ($52 a night). My question for all of you on what is the recommendations for tips. Are you expected to tip when they intially take your car or just at the end when you leave? How about if you leave and come back (say go out for dinner) are you expected to tip every time they take your car or bring your car back to you? What is a fair amount to tip each time. I heard $2 but that seems really low. I don't want them to get pis$ed and screw up my car because i left a crapy tip.

 

[Farang]

Standard is $2 when your car is retrieved.

$5 is a good tip.

Tipping when you park is fine, but not expected. Personally, though, I think it's more effective.

If I had to recommend the ideal tip, it would be $2 in, $2 out. $5 in, $2 out will get you the best service at the lowest price without stiffing. If you tip when you park but not when you leave, the valet will feel stiffed because they usually get paid on pick-ups.

Most people wouldn't tip on the way in, but if they did I would definitely make sure to do a good job and put them in a good spot because you knew you had money in the bank.

Also little known fact: Paying the doorman $20 to hold your car out front not only might impress your date but is probably cheaper than the valet rates + tip

<--former valet

 

[bigrash]

I tip a dollar or two when they bring me my car.

 

[IronWing]

Depends. If valet parking is mandatory in that the hotel won't allow you to park/retrieve your own car then screw giving tips. You didn't ask for the service. If valet parking is optional and you chose the service then a tip is appropriate.

 

[Farang]

Depends. If valet parking is mandatory in that the hotel won't allow you to park/retrieve your own car then screw giving tips. You didn't ask for the service. If valet parking is optional and you chose the service then a tip is appropriate.

You chose the hotel, didn't you?

 

[The_Dude8]

You chose the hotel, didn't you?

travelocity.

 

[IronWing]

You chose the hotel, didn't you?

Not always. On business travel I've had hotels selected for me, usually by the locals setting up meetings. Locals who didn't have to pay the valet parking fees.

 

[Farang]

Not always. On business travel I've had hotels selected for me, usually by the locals setting up meetings. Locals who didn't have to pay the valet parking fees.

You chose to get involved in business where you don't get to choose your own hotel. Anyway I think it's a poor excuse not to tip. You could say the same about stiffing waiters at business lunches.

Though I admit I'm guilty of it as well, with business travel group think comes in and nobody knows when to tip. At the same time I don't want to be the guy taking care of the guy loading up everyone's bags.