To tip or not to tip? And how much? South Florida is one area where it seems everyone is looking for a handout, from tip jars to valets. Some hotels even have a “resort fee” added. You’ll feel your vacation dollars stretched thin if you haven’t planned ahead for this inescapable add-on. In defense of the service workers, they hold some of the most underpaid and underappreciated careers. Worse yet, they are taxed on “estimated” tips, whether they receive them or not. Something to think about the next time you are wondering whether you should leave a tip or not. At restaurants, make sure to always read the bottom of your check before tipping. The general rule is any party of more than six should expect the gratuity to be automatically added in. Due in part to the large number of European tourists who are not accustomed to tipping, you’ll find many restaurants and bars in the beach areas automatically add in the gratuity. Some hotels, resorts, and even bed & breakfasts, mainly along the southeast coast and into the Keys, have begun adding a daily resort fee that covers all the housekeeping and recreation services. Before you book your reservation, always ask about this fee, as it may add as much as $40 a day to your bill. If you do not intend to use any of the recreational equipment, you may be able to get all or part of this fee waived. At most spas, the tip is usually included on full-service treatments—ask when you book your appointment. A guide to reasonable tipping rates:
$2 per person to or from hotel.
15–20 percent
Some bars, especially the trendier areas, have already added the gratuity to the bill, so check carefully before paying.
If you have drinks before dinner, try to settle up before going to your table. Some restaurants require the waiter to tip the bartender and cocktail servers a percentage of their tips. This is often done to keep things moving smoothly and so that the customer has to handle money only once. First ask the bartender if you can settle up. If not, it’s okay to ask if she will get a cut from the waiter; e.g., “Does the waiter take care of you?” If they don’t, then by all means, tip her—and generously. She’ll tell your waiter that you’re a good tipper, and you’ll almost always be assured great service. And if your bartender has been exceptionally cordial, then it’s still nice to leave her a few dollars.
Many bed & breakfasts have a no-tipping policy, so ask before you arrive or upon check-in. I always like to leave something anyway, as it’s often a local teenager, college kid, or single mom who cleans the rooms, and they can always use a few extra bucks. Some bed & breakfasts pool and split tips between the maids, cooks, and pool attendants. For those places, tip a little more than you would at a hotel, or about $5 per person per day.
$1–2 per bag upon delivery to your room (arrival and departure). Many of the better hotels will show you to your room, open your door, and detail the amenities of your room or suite. It’s nice to add a few dollars if they do this. If you need to hold your luggage before or after check-in, then consider tipping $1 per bag when they put your bags in storage and again when they retrieve them.
First look to see if the tip was included. Tipping is not usually expected in self-serve eateries, but some are adding it to the bill. If you have a server who brings you things, clears dishes, or keeps your drinks refilled, then tip 10–15 percent. If he just refills drinks, then $1–2 is sufficient.
Busboys are taken care of by the waitstaff, but if they did something extra, like cleaning up that mess your darling child made, then give them $1–2.
Like food servers, casino workers make most of their income from tips. While it is not necessary to tip when you are losing, it is customary to tip a percentage of your winnings. For craps, blackjack, poker, and roulette dealers, tip a $5 chip or more per session or 10 percent of your winnings. For slot machine attendants, tip a $1–2 chip when they repair your machine. And cocktail servers should get at least a $1 chip per drink. Remember, at casinos, drinks are usually free or very cheap.
If it is self-serve, then tip nothing. But if you sit down and are waited on, then tip $1–2 per person or estimate the price of the breakfast and tip 15–20 percent of that total.
A good concierge can score you hard-to-get theater tickets, restaurant reservations, or put your name at the top of the hottest nightclub list, so make sure to tip her $5–10 for each service, or you can give her an envelope covering all your services at the end of your trip. Ask at the front desk which is preferred, as your favorite concierge may have the day off when you check out. If you have been conversing with a concierge before you arrive, then it is also nice to bring her a token gift from your hometown, such as candies, jams, or soaps, along with the gratuity, of course.
Hailing a cab, $1–2. Hauling your bags in or out of your car, 50 cents to $1 a bag. Sometimes doormen do double duty as bellmen, so tip $1–2 per bag if they carry your bags all the way to the room. Tip the same as a concierge if they are helpful with directions or recommendations. No tip is necessary if they just open the door.
$15–25 on top of the fee for the caddy.
Some companies have a no-tipping policy. Check when you book the trip. Other operators derive most of their income from gratuities. In most instances, you’ll always be safe with 10–15 percent of the cost of the activity. For one-hour tours, such as on airboats and at historical sites, they’ll be delighted with $1–2 per person. For three-hour tours, such as ecotours, horseback riding, and day cruises, tip $5–10 per person. For lengthier tours, such as half- or full-day kayaking and fishing charters, tip 15 percent of the cost of the excursion.
10–15 percent (arrival or departure), 20 percent if you have the driver at your beck and call for a block of time.
$5 per person per day, with a little extra on the day you check out. Tip more if you’re traveling with kids and/or pets or if you and your golf buddies have tracked half of the green into the room. You’ll want to leave your tip daily because there may be a different maid each day. And make sure it is obvious that the money is for them; you’ll often find an envelope on the dresser for this purpose. Personally, I like to leave it in the bathroom on the tray where they put the soap and shampoo. That always seems to ensure that they replenish it. Anytime you ask a maid or someone from housekeeping to come to your room, such as to deliver a hair dryer or for turndown service, always tip $1–2 per item.
Nothing is expected, unless they reserve you a special table or squeeze you onto the “reservation-only” list. Then give $5–10, or more.
10–15 percent if they come to your home or hotel room. Ask in advance if this is automatically included in the price. (See also Spa treatments.)
$2–3 for special requests. If the mariachi band is walking around, tipping is optional. For pianists tip $1–5 at the end of your meal or their performance, whichever is first.
It is not necessary to grease the palms of the bouncer at the door. (See Navigating Nightclubs in South Beach, The Gables, the Grove, and Downtown Miami.) I’ve heard of people tipping $50 and up, and that still didn’t get them in any faster, so don’t bother. Once inside, tip bartenders and cocktail servers 15–20 percent. Don’t tip on the cover charge if one is included in your bill.
Porters/skycaps (airport baggage handlers) $1–2 per bag.
Resort fees can run the gamut from $5 to $40 a day per room. It is important to ask when you book your reservation so as not to be surprised. This fee may cover anything from free use of beach cabanas, snorkel equipment, paddleboats, kayaks, sailboards, sailboats, tennis courts, a round of golf, or simply the use of their swimming pool. For those who plan to vacation entirely at the resort, it may be a bargain.
A dying breed, these silent sentries are usually found at the trendiest nightclubs and restaurants. And you’ll be especially grateful at the nightclubs as the night wears on. Attendants pay for the bevy of hairspray, perfume, tissues, and assorted touch-up makeup, so if you use any of it, please leave them $1 per visit.
Most hotels add the gratuity. If nothing is added, then tack on 15 percent to the total charge.
15–20 percent for a full-service treatment. Most spas add this in automatically. If none is included, then tip at the end of the service and make sure to leave $2–5 for locker room and lounge attendants.
If you want them to hold the same deck chair or cabana every day, then tip $2–3 per chair and $5–10 per cabana beginning the first day. It is not necessary to tip the keeper of the towels, unless he passes you a fresh one as you get out of the pool; then $1–2 is a nice gesture.
If one of the waitstaff takes your order and packages the food, then tip $1–2 or up to 10 percent. No tip is necessary for drive-up.
15 percent of total fare (add more if the driver helps you with your bags).
It seems tip jars are popping up everywhere: coffee shops, gas stations, and even fast-food restaurants. Do you leave something or not? It’s just inappropriate for any food service establishment that doesn’t actually bring you food and replenish your drinks to ask for a gratuity. The flip side is that these workers are generally paid only minimum wage, so if you’re feeling generous, drop your change in the bucket.
You’ll find valet parking your car hard to avoid. South Florida is “valet central,” especially in the beach areas, and many places have mandatory valet. Expect to pay $7–15 for parking and to tip $1–5 when you pick up your vehicle. The recent trend is also to tip when dropping off. Note that the valets are often separate concessionaires and not employees of the restaurant or hotel, so liability may be limited.
Waitstaff in Florida are paid only a few dollars an hour and are taxed on all of their sales, so they expect 15–20 percent of the bill. Make sure to figure tips before coupons and discounts are applied. And always check your bill to see if the gratuity was automatically added.
10–15 percent of wine bill, but only if you used their services.