Do I need to tip room service in USA and how much?

[Owlbabie5]

Think somebody came in and did something yesterday. Emptied bins and changed towels. Not sure what I should leave and where.

Yes, you need to tip everyone in the US as their basic wage is so poor. You can Google how much. Hang on...

www.google.com/amp/s/la.curbed.com/platform/amp/2014/3/24/10127764/how-much-to-give-hotel-staff-the-ultimate-guide-to-tipping

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

This links to further guides.

I've been to the USA three times and have never tipped the cleaners. Didn't even realise you were supposed to until I read it on here. If I ever go back I'd probably leave 2-3 dollars per day.

10 -20%

Thank you that’s helpful but still confused. That thing says not for non swanky hotels and gives a range re tip amount. We’re in the type you take your own luggage to your room in NYC. It’s nice but very relaxed. They didn’t make the beds just did bins and towels. Happy with what they did but didn’t put the thing out on the door to request it. Going by that article it says not to but don’t want to piss anybody off. Would a $ be an insult?

Could you ask at the reception what the expectation is?

Good idea, not sure why I didn’t think of that.

Depends on the state as to how the wage structure is. Most states have tipped/untipped wages. Which means the person cleaning the room could be paid as little as $2.13 an hour (federal minimum cash wage). So a tip is expected.

That said, even in states where there is no tipped/untipped wages, a tip is still the “done thing” as a sign of appreciation. We usually leave a $10 bill if we were there just for a weekend and a $20 if it was longer than that.

I wouldn't worry too much, leave something at the end of your stay if concerned- say 5 dollars?

Also,the hotels and the USA have started the resort tax as well plus state tax.

The exchange rate is lousy and I think it is becoming expensive and a rip off now.

Went to Europe this year

Well, state tax has always existed and it’s not levied by the hotel but by the state government. The hotel can’t do anything about that.

True about stare tax but the resort tax is bit cheeky.

The ST is levied afterwards rather than in the price which is irritating

Plus overseas visitors to UK can reclaim VAT but not vice versa.

I'm a born and raised American who has lived and traveled all over the US. It is expected to tip people who carry your bags to the room ($2-5) or room service (10-15%), but I have never tipped cleaning service. People are very divided on whether or not they should tip the room cleaners. When people do they usually leave $5-10 but while the cleaners greatly appreciate the tip, it is not expected

In the US I tend to leave $2-3 a day on the pillow for housekeeping and then $10 on the last day as a final thank you. Hotel staff carrying bags/ bartender etc $2 and then food/taxi 10-20% depending on service.

No idea is this is ok or if they are bitching about the mad British woman who doesn't tip well!

I do hate the us tipping culture. Also hate the pressure to tip shit service. Try and avoid tipping. And wouldn’t tip anyone for just doing their job.

If you choose to travel to an area with a tipping culture then it is a bit of a duff move to try and avoid doing it lovely.
If you don't want to tip then don't travel to the USA.
The exchange rate is also not the fault of the hotel staff.

A dollar a day per person, in the room so, if 4 of you are in there $4 a day!

Shit service is though and so is the false over service. If I get good service which is beyond a standard job no issue tipping.

I agree if the service is really poor then you don't need to tip and you should let them know why.
The over service is partly a cultural difference I reckon and while not to my taste particularly it is what a lot of people in the US expect so you cannot penalize servers for it.
I would prefer there were decent minimum wages but again a cultural difference.

We left about $3-$4 dollars per day when we were in Florida.