Im in a hotel in a major city for 2 weeks. Only parking is street (nearly impossibl) or valet. I am going to need to collect my rental 1-2 times per day. Whats the tipping etiquette? Do I have to toss them a few $1-$2 every time, or can I give them a $5 every other day? Can I just give them a $50 at the end? I hate tipping for basic services and hate valet service but Im stuck

quote:

Originally posted by dwd1985:
Im in a hotel in a major city for 2 weeks. Only parking is street (nearly impossibl) or valet. I am going to need to collect my rental 1-2 times per day. Whats the tipping etiquette? Do I have to toss them a few $1-$2 every time, or can I give them a $5 every other day? Can I just give them a $50 at the end? I hate tipping for basic services and hate valet service but Im stuck

I'd probably give them a few bucks every time. You're there for 2 weeks so they'll make some cash. That's me though.
Good luck David.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dwd1985:
Im in a hotel in a major city for 2 weeks. Only parking is street (nearly impossibl) or valet. I am going to need to collect my rental 1-2 times per day. Whats the tipping etiquette? Do I have to toss them a few $1-$2 every time, or can I give them a $5 every other day? Can I just give them a $50 at the end? I hate tipping for basic services and hate valet service but Im stuck[/QUOTE

I've only been in that situation two times. Once in Maui Hawaii, and again in New Orleans. I just asked the parking guy what was acceptable. I said, I want to compensate you for your services, but how's it work. In both cases they said tip each time because there are different valets on duty at different times. I didn't ask what was a reasonable tip but the lady at the desk said $3-$4 was generous. If you're doing multiple ins and outs that's different than staying 3 days and one check out where I'd probably give more.

A couple bucks each time since you likely won’t have the same person every time.

Thanks all. I will have to get some $1's. Im thinking ill give a few $1s each time. This is a work trip so I'm not a super fan of coming out of pocket for an expense like this, but picking it up a few times per day for 2 weeks, I'm sure each valet who works here is going to make $20+ from me at the end of the trip.

A buck each time is fine. If they squeal the tires, change the seat or put rap tunes on the radio, that goes away. Be polite and say thank you.

I've always been able to expense reasonable tips. You might check your policy.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
A buck each time is fine. If they squeal the tires, change the seat or put rap tunes on the radio, that goes away. Be polite and say thank you.

What might be cool is go to the bank and see if you can get some 2 dollar bills. If you don't use them for the parking guy, the spend just fine. Only thing I'd be tempted to give two. Biden inflection and all. It's worth it to me to think they're saying "good guy" vs cheap asshole.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
A couple bucks each time since you likely won’t have the same person every time.

This is what I do and yes, there are a bunch of different guys so it's the only fair way to do it.

What's your per diem ?
How much is the hotel rate.
Are you driving a Corvair or a Lexus 470?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

Not your situation but I just went through a two night stay at a major Boston hotel. Didn't need the car until we left. $10 tip at check-in so they hopefully take good care of it. $5 after they get it at checkout since you got it back and you're gone.

quote:

Originally posted by NavyGuy:
What might be cool is go to the bank and see if you can get some 2 dollar bills. If you don't use them for the parking guy, the spend just fine. Only thing I'd be tempted to give two. Biden inflection and all. It's worth it to me to think they're saying "good guy" vs cheap asshole.

My Dad tips with $2 bills and people remember him because of it. If you go this route, I'd suggest the more generous side as you don't want to be remembered as the cheapskate who gives $2 bills.

I spent 5 weeks in San Francisco two years ago, stayed in Union Square. I had a minivan and the cost to park was something like $70 a day, which made me want to puke.
I think I duked the guys $2 in and $2 out every day. I may have missed a few occasions when I didn't have cash, but I got to know the valet crew and I gathered they knew me. Having worked valet in college, they weren't upset about the arrangement.

I always bring a bunch of $5 bills. Hand them $5 every time they bring the car around.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeGLI:
I spent 5 weeks in San Francisco two years ago, stayed in Union Square. I had a minivan and the cost to park was something like $70 a day, which made me want to puke.
I think I duked the guys $2 in and $2 out every day. I may have missed a few occasions when I didn't have cash, but I got to know the valet crew and I gathered they knew me. Having worked valet in college, they weren't upset about the arrangement.

$70 a day ! WTFO ?

I valet park whenever we need to. 5 dollars each interaction. It has paid dividends when there is a line for pickup.

I know some valets. Half of the customers never tip. They have to park cars that are filthy and have spilled dip cups and dirty diapers. The reward is they get to drive some cool cars. Valets working at many casinos have to split tips. That is the way the IRS keeps track of income.

I’m in this situation often for work. I tip 2 or 3 dollars each time and let them know I’ll be here for 10 days so we are gonna see each other often,..

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
A buck each time is fine. If they squeal the tires, change the seat or put rap tunes on the radio, that goes away. Be polite and say thank you.

A buck each time? Been quite a few years since you had valet service?

Every time because the valet might be different. WHO on earth tips a valet $1???? When I used to valet cars in the late 1990's a $1 was a poor tip and $2 was a good tip.......that was around 1997-2000, when you could buy a pack of cigarettes for $2......... I usually tip $3-5