NWR: tipping valets?

monkeysip

Ok ladies,

This is something I've been wondering for a while, and should've looked into sooner, but are you supposed to tip hotel valets? 

I've used valet parking at several hotels, and many times during the stay, but never tipped the valets.  I think my mentality was that I am paying usually $20-25 a night for valet there, so they're paid well enough not to tip.  But am I wrong?  Should I be tipping hotel valets?  If so, how much?

Also, I've only used restaurant valets a couple times in my life, and I gave them like $2 for a tip.  Was that being cheap, or is that normal? 

Please fill in a clueless person.

lyndausvi

I've always tipped valets, regardless of the venue.   

 A lot of hotel valets are contractors and not actually hotel employees.  That is not always the case, but in NOLA it is. 

By your logic you shouldn't tip hotel restuarant staff becasue they charge $20 for a burger.

Cortney1982

I am always wondering this as well.  I have tipped anywhere from $5-$20.  The way I put it if it's a busy night they are making major cash with all the cars coming and going.  If they are not allowed to take it I hope they would be honest and say no.

Loopyseven

I always tip.  Usually 2-3 bucks.

monkeysip

Okey doke, that makes sense. 

I guess you're right... just because I'm paying for it doesn't mean I shouldn't tip (of course I always tip restaurants--valet is just something I never really thought about)

Good to know.  So I should tip at least a couple dollars every time I use the valet then, right?  I just need to think about this for future budgeting so I know that I need to have probably at least another $5 each night when at hotels. 

monkeysip

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-tipping-valets?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:61fa0f09-a2f0-4edb-aced-11d2e9372da8Post:3f42d545-4118-4b91-8859-6c0ccc685c8f">Re:NWR: tipping valets?</a>:
[QUOTE]Probably, yes. Now if I'm staying at a hotel where I'm coming and going a lot, I'll be honest, I often only tip 2 or 3 each time because that sht adds up, and it's often going to the same couple of attendants. But when I go to a restaurant or a casino and use the valet, I tip 5 each time.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

That makes sense! 

monkeysip

Ooooh that's a helpful link!

Fortunately, I've been doing everything else on the list, just need to make sure to start tipping valets!