Summer travel tips are widespread now that the summer season is almost here. Though preparing for a vacation gives you that undeniable excitement for your upcoming travel, travel preparations are a daunting task. It means summer travel tips are all the more important especially that when it comes to summer travel preparedness, it's more than booking reservations and bag packing that makes you truly ready.
Nowadays, summer travel budget shouldn't just include basics like transportation, food and entertainment, but also a bonus related to these basics. Apparently, summer travel tipping is part and parcel of every trip, and knowing who, when and how much to give will give you a leverage on budgeting your vacation. Also, a good tipper frequently gets better quality attention and service from the staff of any place or activity.
With that in mind, here are the FAQs when it comes to Summer Travel Tips in the United States (or Travel Tipping in the US in general) according to Huffington Post.
FAQ 1: HOW DO I KNOW WHO TO TIP?
Everyone who gave you a certain type of service should be tipped in your summer travel. These include people from airport baggage attendants, shuttle drivers, doormen, valet drivers, concierge, hotel housekeeping staff, to poolside attendants. They expect a certain quantity of gratuity from people whom they serve.
FAQ 2: AT THE AIRPORT: WHO GETS A TIP?
The indoor or outdoor skycap in your should get at least $1 to $2 per bag, and more if the bags are heavy or if you had to let him or her wait.
FAQ 3: AT THE AIRPORT: WHO DOES NOT GET A TIP?
During your summer travel, airport security, airline pilots, flight attendants, and counter representatives should not be tipped.
FAQ 4: AT THE RENTAL CAR AGENCY: SHOULD I GIVE A TIP AND HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Don't give your rental car agent a tip. Meanwhile, you can give tips to shuttle bus drivers. The amount of tip depends on the amount of luggage or special service they offer you, about $1 to $2 per bag.
FAQ 5: AT THE HOTEL: DO I TIP THE PERSON WHO TAKES MY LUGGAGE OUT OF THE TRUNK AND HANDS IT OFF TO THE BELLMAN?
It's a rule of thumb that anyone touching your luggage should be given some form of gratuity when in travel. The amount of tip you give depends on the level of service an employee provides.
FAQ 6: AT THE HOTEL: HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO TIP THE VALET WHO ASSISTS ME WITH MY CAR?
The valet is usually tipped during your departure. However, you don't necessarily have to tip him or her when unloading your luggage upon arrival, or when he or she grants a special request like keeping your car near the front entrance while you're having dinner. If you plan to come and go several times per day to enjoy the most out of your summer travel, consider using the self-parking lot to avoid multiple tips in a day and save more money.
FAQ 7: AT THE HOTEL: IS THERE A STANDARD TIP FOR A BELLMAN?
A bellman generally gets $1 to $2 per bag, depending on the bags he or she unloads. Just give additional tips for any extra service. If you want to prevent giving multiple tips, travel light and carry your own bag to your hotel room.
FAQ 8: AT THE HOTEL: DO I NEED TO TIP HOUSEKEEPING, AND IF YES, HOW OFTEN?
Generally, housekeeping should be given tips. It's better if you tip daily. An easier way to tip housekeeping is to bring a few white envelopes. Label these envelopes "Housekeeping" and place $5 dollars per night in the envelope. Leave it in a place where housekeeping cannot miss it.
FAQ 9: AT THE HOTEL: WHAT IS THE STANDARD ROOM SERVICE TIP?
In general, you must tip 15 to 20 percent of the bill when the food arrives.
FAQ 10: AT THE HOTEL: HOW MUCH DO I TIP THE CONCIERGE?
There's no need to give a tip if the concierge picked up the phone or made a 20-second phone call for an easy dinner reservation. A genuine "Thank you" would suffice. However, when you've discussed restaurant options with the concierge, you could give a $5 to $10 tip. When the concierge helped you secure hard-to-get tickets to the theatre or had a last minute floral arrangement sent to your hotel for your anniversary, you should give at least a $20 for the concierge's efforts.
FAQ 11: AT THE HOTEL SPA: IS A TIP NECESSARY?
First, check the policy of the hotel where you're staying if they include gratuity in the bill. If not, you could give the spa attendant 15 to 20 percent of the service.
Other Service Attendants You Can Give Tips To:
GOLF CADDIES: Give them 50 percent of the caddie fee. For great service, you can add more gratuity
DOORMAN: $1 to $2 to for hailing a taxi, more for assisting you with the umbrella during a monsoon, and other services of the like
HOTEL BARTENDER: $1 per alcoholic drink
HOTEL HAIRDRESSER: 15 to 20 percent of bill
MANICURIST/PEDICURIST/MASSAGE TREATMENTS: 15 to 20 percent of service
TAXI DRIVER: 15 to 20 percent of the transport fee
Other Summer Travel Tipping Recommendations:
CHECK IF YOUR HOTEL HAS A NO TIPPING POLICY: Some of hotels and resorts have a no-tipping policy where tips are strictly forbidden and employees are not allowed any form of gratuity.
BRING SMALL BILLS: This is so you can tip without asking for change. You must ready coins as well for the parking meter if you're planning daily tours.
Summer Travel Tips for tipping people in the US are listed above. Now you can use them to get the best service in your travels to the States and get the most out of your vacation.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
