Tipping in the USA

[reginafelangee]

Hi

I'm off on holiday to Miami tomorrow and would appreciate some advice on tips. How much would you tip the following?

Porter taking bags to room
Concierge making reservations
Cab driver
Meals
Bar staff

Any other recommendations please?

Thanks

For the bags- $5 unless you have loads then maybe $10
Concierge- not sure, I think it depends what you’re asking for really, bog standard restaurant you could do yourself then $5 (although I don’t know why you’d bother using the concierge), if they pull off the impossible and get you amazing tickets to a sold out concert then you’d probably be expected to dig deep
Cab driver- 15-20% of the fare
Doorman who hails you a cab- $5 (I would recommend Uber instead though)
Meals- minimum 15%, 20% if you feel the service was good
Bar- $1 per drink is standard but I would personally tip $2 for a fancy cocktail

Miami is great, I hope you have a good time!

Exactly as above but Concierge I’d leave until the end of the trip and take a view on it then depending on how much or little you have used their services ( a quick email booking a restaurant yourself or using Opentable.com is easy to do and tours can be booked often cheaper on viator.com - we’ve had Concierges at one or two resorts & rarely used their services as I’m a cheapskate!)

Meals: double the tax is an easy calculation for the tip. Most prices are quoted without tax. So if tax is $10, you tip $20. Often $2 a suitcase is the norm.

Take plenty of $1 notes with you.

I thought Miami sales tax was 7%? I think that would be slightly on the low side for a tip. If you struggle with maths then I guess you could double the tax and add a bit on top...
Personally I don’t apply this approach though because I live in Chicago and whilst I wouldn’t consider myself a stingy tipper, I do draw the line at over 20%!

Thanks that is all really helpful

Our friends in NY suggested that! Yes, add a bit over if you want. 15% is ok though unless service has been outstanding.

A lot of restaurants actually put suggested tip amounts on the bills nowadays, it will say 10% = $20.00, 15% = $30.00, 20% = $40.00, for example.

Concierge - I usually tip $2/bag.

If you’re staying in a hotel leave a tip for the maid on the dresser when you leave.