tipping the hotel front desk at check in

[Gil Bang 26264]

Do you do it?  Is it worth it?  

It's been my standard practice in Vegas for decades.    Next weekend is GF's birthday, and we are going to a nice big-city hotel that has much nicer rooms than the one that I reserved. Will slipping a 20 or 50 along with my ID and credit card get me anything, or is that insulting for non-vegas properties? 

[Incredulity 11882]

I’m pretty generous with tips and you can seriously upgrade experiences with some well distributed gratuities.  Never tipped the front desk.  Valet, bell hop, and concierge all get some monetary appreciation, but I’ve admittedly neglected front desk.  I’m assuming room selection is the aim?  I’m sure it does help at finer establishments.

[Gil Bang 26264]

1 hour ago, Incredulity said:

I’m pretty generous with tips and you can seriously upgrade experiences with some well distributed gratuities.  Never tipped the front desk.  Valet, bell hop, and concierge all get some monetary appreciation, but I’ve admittedly neglected front desk.  I’m assuming room selection is the aim?  I’m sure it does help at finer establishments.

Yes, room selection.  In Vegas, it can get you a significant upgrade.   

[Kennythetiger 9670]

Never heard of it before. 

[BurntOrange&White 42020]

no fuck tipping

[Gil Bang 26264]

It's certainly a Vegas thing.  Here's my problem; I rarely stay at 4 star (and above) hotels for personal travel.  And, when I was travelling for business (on the company dime), I didn't really care about the room type.

Our vacations are usually international, or we're grabbing a little beachfront deal in Santa Barbara or similar.  

I just don't know the custom for a big-city 4 star hotel.   Of course, I tip the valet, bellman, housekeeping, etc. 

[Baboontyme 2888]

Only done it in Vegas. It worked or didn't exactly as it was supposed to. I think I was about .500 with it and when they couldn't do it they slid it back to me. I haven't been to Vegas in probably 15 years so take it fwiw. 

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3873]

Former Hilton Rooms manager.

Your room was set by the reservations dept the morning of your check in. Front desk has very little leeway these days as it is all frequent stayer/big spender scraped data. Doesn’t mean the front desk doesn’t know what rooms are between the elevator and the ice machine if you’re an asshole.

Book what you want.

[DFWTexEx 279]

8 hours ago, ShaggyBevo RIP said:

Former Hilton Rooms manager.

Your room was set by the reservations dept the morning of your check in. Front desk has very little leeway these days as it is all frequent stayer/big spender scraped data. Doesn’t mean the front desk doesn’t know what rooms are between the elevator and the ice machine if you’re an asshole.

Book what you want.

Right.   I get all the upgrade offers when I book and as I check in.    And the complimentary upgrades are based on status.   Seems like hotels are becoming like the airlines, as upgrades are monetized or very much based on status.  The old days of dressing up to get bumped to first class are gone.

But Vegas may always be Vegas.  Tips rule.  So the above may not apply.

[6th Street 6708]

Vegas is the same way. MGM, Caesars, etc monetizing every room. Feels like the days of $50 between the DL and CC are over.

 

[HRSchenker 2341]

3 hours ago, DFWTexEx said:

Right.   I get all the upgrade offers when I book and as I check in.    And the complimentary upgrades are based on status.   Seems like hotels are becoming like the airlines, as upgrades are monetized or very much based on status.  The old days of dressing up to get bumped to first class are gone.

But Vegas may always be Vegas.  Tips rule.  So the above may not apply.

Yep you nailed it. I learned the hard way making a comment in one of those award travel Facebook groups but getting upgrades without status is severely frowned upon and almost impossible. 

[noharleyyet 2865]

Been my experience since covid that corporate has monetized perks...early check in 40 bucks, shitty parking, 10 bucks, covered parking 30...etc 

 

But yea I tip the desk anyway....

Edited November 4 by noharleyyet

[HenryJames 67477]

Should one include a picture of themself when they make the reservation?

[Iceman 2986]

Mandated valet in a non-urban( non- space restricted) area can go fuck themselves as well. Just charge $30 more for the room, motherfuckers. I can park my own motherfucking car, and really don't want anyone else in it.

I don't like the chincy nickel and diming horseshit.  It's worse than ever.

Edited November 4 by Iceman

[huge 3831]

5 hours ago, Iceman said:

Mandated valet in a non-urban( non- space restricted) area can go fuck themselves as well. Just charge $30 more for the room, motherfuckers. I can park my own motherfucking car, and really don't want anyone else in it.

I don't like the chincy nickel and diming horseshit.  It's worse than ever.

THATS RIGHT ICE MAN

[Steel Shank 9564]

Dangerous.

[futureman 22721]

On 11/3/2024 at 8:36 PM, BurntOrange&White said:

no fuck tipping

lol I knew it

[Gil Bang 26264]

I got an email today, asking if I wanted to put in a bid on an upgrade.  29 bucks, so of course I did it. 

Edited November 5 by Gil Bang

[futureman 22721]

21 hours ago, ShaggyBevo RIP said:

Former Hilton Rooms manager.

did you ever have a gil bang slide you a 20 with a knowing nod?

[StassneyHorn 6790]

I usually just bring a tent to the rest area

[52-80 19379]

ive only ever heard this for vegas and i think its weird as shit

[Chopper 17454]

On 11/3/2024 at 11:46 PM, ShaggyBevo RIP said:

Former Hilton Rooms manager.

Your room was set by the reservations dept the morning of your check in. Front desk has very little leeway these days as it is all frequent stayer/big spender scraped data. Doesn’t mean the front desk doesn’t know what rooms are between the elevator and the ice machine if you’re an asshole.

Book what you want.

Yeah it used to work until it didn't. I guess the exec office grew tired of seeing guests receiving free upgrades and cracked down. 

[Ag with kids 581]

Does she have big tits?

That should direct your answer.

 

hth

[scottsins 2047]

Right.   I get all the upgrade offers when I book and as I check in.    And the complimentary upgrades are based on status.   Seems like hotels are becoming like the airlines, as upgrades are monetized or very much based on status.  The old days of dressing up to get bumped to first class are gone.
But Vegas may always be Vegas.  Tips rule.  So the above may not apply.

In Vegas, I never select the upgrade deals when I book. I always tip at check in and frequently get bumped WAY up to a better room. Not close the elevator type stuff, but large suite with strip view, etc.

[PilotsError 2343]

Do you tip valet at drop off and pick up or just pick up?

[Kennythetiger 9670]

22 hours ago, PilotsError said:

Do you tip valet at drop off and pick up or just pick up?

Pick up, unless it’s initial drop off and the poor bastard helps us get my wife’s four suitcases out.