Devaluation of the IHG Diamond breakfast benefit in North America

[Mattg]

I've noticed at a few hotels lately in North America that the breakfast voucher they give as the Diamond welcome amenity says "gratuity not included".

I don't know if IHG intended for this to be the case, but at a Holiday Inn I recently stayed at in Mexico, the server brought me a bill as I was leaving the breakfast area. The bill was for $0 but I still had to write my name, room number and sign it. There was also a field on the bill to enter a tip amount, and the server had stamped "service not included" onto the bill then stood over me and watched while I signed it.

I wasn't expecting this and found it quite jarring, to be honest. I don't feel like I should have to leave a tip on a "free" breakfast. Then it's not really free, is it?

This is the first time I've been pressured into tipping when using the Diamond breakfast benefit at an IHG hotel after hundreds of stays. On one other occasion at a Holiday Inn in South Africa, I was asked to sign a receipt that had a "tip" field but I just left that blank and it wasn't an issue.

Anyone else noticed this?

 

[kpc]

You are still expected to tip a few dollars for "free" breakfast in the US...it is a joke tbh!

 

[drron]

I have had the same happen to me at marriott and hilton properties in the US and our last visit was 2019.

try south Africa. at an airport restaurant the server who as little as possible was very severe on me as I wrote no tip on the CC invoice. So I just rounded up to the next 10.
But tonight at another JNB restaurant had a reallygreat server and he didn't pressure me at all so he got a 20% tip plus told the manager how good he was.

 

[DC3]

You are still expected to tip a few dollars for "free" breakfast in the US

 

[serfty]

You are still expected to tip a few dollars for "free" breakfast in the US...it is a joke tbh!

I did not realise this until having Diamond free breakfast with some local friends about 20 years ago at the Hilton EWR. I was taken aback when they each left $2 on the table as we got up to leave.

 

[serfty]

Interestingly, if you are Hyatt Globalist you get free breakfast - the WoH T&C's specifically state that the gratuity is included with this benefit. i.e. you are not expected to tip (although reports are some places still encourage you to do so).

When staying at a participating hotel or resort that does not have a Club lounge (or if Club lounge is closed), Globalists will receive daily complimentary full breakfast (which includes one entrée or standard breakfast buffet, juice, and coffee, as well as tax, gratuity and service charges) for each registered guest in the room, ...

https://www.hyatt.com/help/terms/world-of-hyatt#VC

 

[muppet]

I tip at breakfast if I’m served (at least coffee or OJ). If it’s a buffet and I’ve had to do it all, I don’t tip. I do wonder why I’m presented with a bill for $0… seems for no reason other than to seek a tip for doing nothing.

 

[Aeryn]

I notice that Americans also tip the bartender and waiters in airport lounges like the SOHO at JFK where the drinks and meals are also free.

 

[DC3]

I tip at breakfast if I’m served

 

[DC3]

I did not realise this until having Diamond free breakfast with some local friends about 20 years ago at the Hilton EWR. I was taken aback when they each left $2 on the table as we got up to leave.

I recall having a diamond breakfast at Palm Springs at around that time. A really good breakfast and added a tip for the server.

 

[muppet]

I notice that Americans also tip the bartender and waiters in airport lounges like the SOHO at JFK where the drinks and meals are also free.

Yeah I do that. And get much better service, but that is self-interest - my drink is never empty at the United or Admiral Club.

 

[drron]

So a little of topic but today I experienced a downgrade of the IC free diamond breakfast. I usually have a tomato juice to start and usually have to ask for it. Virtually always get it even in HIs.

But today I asked at the IC JNB and was told yes you can but there’s an extra charge for that. So is IHG introducing a less popular juice tax?

 

[DC3]

Yeah I do that. And get much better service, but that is self-interest - my drink is never empty at the United or Admiral Club.

Yeah. I doubt that many know about that little trick. Some do, of course.

It also can work in other bars in the US (where as Ozzie’s we are generally known as poor tippers). Leave the bartender a good tip at the first drink and you are often well looked after during the night. But those opposed to tipping never get to find out.

 

[drron]

I first went to the US in 1981.Started in SC staying in the HI Union Square. The maître D of their restaurant took us under his wing and taught us all about tipping. So from the start despite leaving Australia hating the idea of tipping I had no problems with tipping.
In airport lounge bars my tip was on the bar as I ordered. Always got a full glass of wine or in my G&T a double shot of a better brand of gin. Saw no reason to change my tipping.

 

[Aeryn]

The advice to tip a bar tender upfront is very common knowledge not so much a trick but that is for paid drinks. I will tip if dining/drinking out in US but i ignore tip jar for take-away.

IMO it is unecessary to tip in a lounge where the drinks are included if the airline wont pay the staff properly they should allow self pour, you dont tip the FA on the flight, and lounge access is part of same ticket.

.

 

[Mattg]

So a little of topic but today I experienced a downgrade of the IC free diamond breakfast. I usually have a tomato juice to start and usually have to ask for it. Virtually always get it even in HIs.

But today I asked at the IC JNB and was told yes you can but there’s an extra charge for that. So is IHG introducing a less popular juice tax?

The IHG Diamond breakfast voucher excludes “specialty drinks” but some hotels have started to interpret this in a way that I don’t think aligns with what a reasonable person would consider special.

I would consider alcohol or something like a frappe to be a specialty drink, not barista coffee or fruit juice!

 

[Mattg]

I tip at breakfast if I’m served (at least coffee or OJ). If it’s a buffet and I’ve had to do it all, I don’t tip. I do wonder why I’m presented with a bill for $0… seems for no reason other than to seek a tip for doing nothing.

This might just be me, but it bugs me when I have to flag down a server just to get a glass of water or orange juice. I sometimes feel like the hotel has deliberately chosen to remove these things from the buffet so that you have to be “served” - and then are expected to therefore leave a tip.

 

[DC3]

IMO it is unecessary to tip in a lounge

Yes, not necessary. However, I find that putting down a tip usually pays a dividend.

Those who don’t tip will probably never realise this.