Tipping in USA

[Chucksta]

I usually follow customary tipping in US, but probably on the low side compared to the locals. And tend not to tip (and not notice other tipping) when paying with a voucher in the Admirals Club.

How does the bar at the AA lounges work? Do you need a voucher to get a drink?

More importantly, where does a WP obtain these vouchers and how many can I get??

 

[drron]

As you show your QF card you should get 2 vouchers.If not ask for drink vouchers.I have always been able to get more by going back to the desk and asking.

 

[Mal]

How does the bar at the AA lounges work? Do you need a voucher to get a drink?

More importantly, where does a WP obtain these vouchers and how many can I get??

All AA lounges in the US that I know of (Barring the AA Flagship lounges) have a bar where there is a bartender who takes your drink orders.

They are either paid drinks, or if you present a drinks voucher, they are free (not including tip if you give one).

AA members don't get vouchers unless they are on an International itinerary. Other OneWorld (and Qantas Club) members are entitled to the vouchers.

When walking into an Admiral's lounge, I show my card. They'll either give you 1 or 2 free drink passes then (date stamped) or won't. If they don't, I ask "Do you have any of the drink vouchers", and either suddenly or after checking with their workmate present me with a couple of vouchers.

You can head back to the desk and ask for more vouchers as well (by flashing your card and asking you're able to get some more drink vouchers), I've never been knocked back, but I'm sure some AA lounges train their staff to reject that type of request.

 

[Chucksta]

Are the AA bars always open? Or is it like QP where it opens at 3pm or something like that....

 

[Febs]

Are the AA bars always open? Or is it like QP where it opens at 3pm or something like that....

In my experience they've always been open for as long as the lounge itself is.

I've also found in some destinations (like MEX ) a decent tip ($1USD in MEX) will have them pouring you triples and telling you to keep the vouchers!

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[JohnK]

In my experience they've always been open for as long as the lounge itself is.

Not always. In smaller Admirals Club lounges like IAD the receptionist had to go to the bar to get me a soft drink at 5:30am. Not sure how I would have fared asking for an alcoholic drink at that time of the morning!

 

[Keith009]

Never having been strong in arithmetric, I usually tip 20% in restos because it is easier for me to calculate that way, short of fumbling with my phone calculator and looking like a dork.

I agree with the comments about hotel concierges- a good tip on the first go works wonders especially when lots of string pulling is required with particular establishments. I also usually top that up with every successful arm twist to get me into restaurants or events. Or in the case of a certain W hotel concierge - getting him sloshed on some good stuff after work did the trick.

I also agree with not tipping if the service has been bad, however given the situation in the US it'd have to be a somewhat extreme situation for me not to leave any tip. Usually I'm mollified with good service recovery. However there was once I left a $0.01 tip just to make a statement.

 

[Febs]

Not always. In smaller Admirals Club lounges like IAD the receptionist had to go to the bar to get me a soft drink at 5:30am. Not sure how I would have fared asking for an alcoholic drink at that time of the morning!

I did say in my experience.

The only time I've been in an Admiral's Club that early was in MCI, and the bar was open then. Didn't ask for an alcoholic drink, but I assume it wouldn't have been a problem.

I did get a G&T at the LAX T4 lounge early one morning...but hey, I was on Sydney time.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK it is the American way.When in Rome......They could change their system but the restaurant meals would go up at least 20%.

Actually I would prefer it if the prices went up. I know it is their system but I do not believe in tipping so the final decision is up to me not someone telling me I have to tip because I am in their country. I don't remember seeing compulsory tipping as a criteria on the immigration form when entering the USA.

I will tip ocassionally where gratuity is not already added to the bill and most times I will just leave loose coins behind. There is no way I will leave a $10 tip on a $50 meal. I really do not require any assistance from anyone and I have no need for a doorman, porter or even a concierge so need to tip these people in advance. I don't visit the USA that often so this is not an issue.

What really annoys me is when those from LOFTAP visit other countries without a tipping culture and proceed to ignore that culture making life harder for everyone else.

Classic example is Thailand. Everywhere you go the locals are always asking for tip because they have been spoiled rotten.

 

[simongr]

I did say in my experience.

I did get a G&T at the LAX T4 lounge early one morning...but hey, I was on Sydney time.

Cheers,
- Febs.

First trip to the US had me and spearcarrier drinking cold beer at 8AM on our way to PIT.

Whilst I agree with the sentiments of JohnK that one should tip only for decent service I leaning the other way now. I know it is not our "fault" that american companies don't price their product correctly but at the same time that is how the waiters are paid and it is just the presentation of the price that is different... a tricky one

 

[Dave Noble]

I don't like the tipping culture *however* it is the culture there and the pricing is based around it. I will normally give 15% in restaurants ( easy to work out 15% ... take 10% , divde by 2 and then add the 2 numbers )

Not tipping where tipping is fundamental to the income of the wait staff is poor form imo

Dave

 

[CO BNE]

Not tipping where tipping is fundamental to the income of the wait staff is poor form imo

I agree with this to a certain point. In the US some wait staff behave as if it is a right to receive tips regardless of how poor their service is, by standing around and chatting with acquaintances and completely ignoring your table except to ask at the end when they're bringing the bill how things were.

If I am ever on the receiving end of a poor wait staff in the US, I will generally leave exact change on the receipt and a single penny off to the side.

 

[codash1099]

I don't like the tipping culture *however* it is the culture there and the pricing is based around it. I will normally give 15% in restaurants ( easy to work out 15% ... take 10% , divde by 2 and then add the 2 numbers )

Not tipping where tipping is fundamental to the income of the wait staff is poor form imo

Dave

In NY, take the tax amount and double it and you'll be close.

 

[acampbel]

Tipping is ALWAYS voluntary. So is giving money to beggars. If you choose to support a corrupt system then that's up to you.

Cheers,

Andrew


.

 

[drron]

Well acampbel I do hope you dont find the Chinese restaurant somewhere in San Fran's suburbs that I went to with some colleagues working in the States.catching up on old times saw a fair bit of alcohol consumed and a miscalculation on tip-not deliberate.We knew we were in trouble when a waiter started chasing us down the street with a meat cleaver!Tipping was suddenly not voluntary.
As a general rule downmarket chinese restaurants in the states have poor service and generally are the most adamant on tipping.I avoid them.

 

[winetraveller]

I consistently tip 20% in restaraunts etc, 10% for cabs, and carry my own bags so don't tip doormen. I tip a dollar a drink at the bar, and tip over the odds for exceptional service.

The flipside of tipping in the us is that if you receive poor service it's not uncommon, if you politely but forcefully complain that you get a heavy discount of the service or product for free.

We often order take out and if it takes too long we phone and speak to the manager and complain, and refuse to pay, they often agree or offer a discount.

To avoid being paranoid about tipping you should really assume the price to be 20% above the list price, and pay anything above that for great service. The level of service in most places far exceeds that of Australia, and Europe, and people deserve to be rewarded for their efforts.

 

[simongr]

I think this is no different to cars being sold "subject to delivery and statutroy charges" - it should be included in the price but it isn't. I don't think is supporting a corrupt system any more than paying for a ticket +++. Acampbell, the only difference is that by not tipping in the US, you are electing not to reward someone for the service that they have provided. It would seem that your conscience allows for that - your decision I guess.