An airport lounge is supposed to be a place to refuge from the terminal. You have a quiet place to wait, some food and a place to for a complimentary drink. It’s not supposed to be a place where you get shaken down but several reports are that this is happening at United Clubs.
I usually tip in the United Club, especially if I am going to be there for a while. Last time I didn’t, I was coming from a celebration of life where Hawaiian shirt / beach vibes had been requested as attire to honor our friend.
I ordered my drink in the United Club and my mind was elsewhere. The bartender points to the tip bucket and says “tips go right there.” I look up probably bewildered looking because I’m bereaved and he scoffs at me.
There’s a bartender at the SFO United Club near the F gates that will demand a tip.
I was in a United Club between flights this week, and overheard an attendant asking another patron for a tip. The attendant said “no tip?” as the individual got up to leave.
United Club Chicago O’Hare
It’s not just United, of course. Here’s a discussion of Delta Sky Club tipping. And goodness, I hope you’re not tipping in the Delta One lounge at JFK. Say you’ve spent $5,000 roundtrip on the ticket, you’re supposed to be nickel and dimed for your pre-boarding drink?
Here are 3 important points to consider about tipping as a practice.
- Airport employees don’t make a ‘tipped wage’ where the employer can pay less than minimum wage, and you make up the difference with your tips. (Even where tipped wages are paid, the employer has to make up the difference with minimum wage. Tipping literally means the employer pays less for those positions.)
- Tipping allows employers to pay less. There’s a certain wage needed to attract workers. It doesn’t matter whether you pay it or the employer does. By tipping more, employers don’t have to raise wages.
- Tipping is crass. It’s awkward. It’s a friction – do you carry cash? Do you have to spend time futzing with a QR code and a credit card? It’s classist. It’s often a bribe that creates bad incentives, think about the “$20 trick” at hotel check-in that’s de rigueur in Las Vegas, though $100 works better at nice properties and the front desk agent is usually ‘kicking up’. You pay the worker wages, and they give away their employer’s product.
United Polaris Lounge Newark
I once had both the American Airlines Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Los Angeles tell me that tipping was not permitted in Flagship First Dining, and that this was standard across the First Dining locations, because they consider it “an extension of the cabin.”
At American Airlines airport customer service employees are allowed to accept “promotional items, complimentary tickets or perishable gifts (candy, fruit, etc)” that’s worth no more than $100. American tells employees to “share[..] with colleagues when practical.” However gifts worth over $100 must be returned.
Employees are not allowed to accept “cash, gift cards, and gift certificates” regardless of amount. So no tips, and no Starbucks gift cards. In the club, reservations agents are airline employees. Food service is generally outsourced to a provider like Sodexo. They shouldn’t solicit tips but can generally accept them. Wages vary by airport but frequently start at $20 per hour in many places.
Stop tipping for airport lounge food and beverage service. If you want to tip the person cleaning up a shower you’ve used, by all means I’m not going to stop you. But part of premium services is that they aren’t supposed to feel transactional. Employers need to cover the full cost of employment so that they stop making customers uncomfortable.
Here is my tip for all of those expecting/demanding a tip – “Get a real job”
@Gary: “It doesn’t matter whether you pay it or the employer does”.
You always “pay it”.
There is no payroll fairy.
Tipping has become a disease in our society. Needs to be stopped. Even keeping it optional is not s good idea.
I had no idea that they ask for tips . I was in a habit of tipping for servers ( I cannot stand up at a bar anyway ) , but I have no idea what my reaction might be if a non-server asked me for a tip ? It seems sort of “Bush League” for airline employees to Ask up front .
I’m fed up with it all. No more tipping.
I got a haircut Friday and for the first time in my adult life. I did not tip. After $25 for a 5 minute #1 run over my head, I paid enough (not a big city).
I’m done with it.
We have to put an end to this madness.
This has nothing to do with being cheap. Just add it to the price of service so there is transparency. That’s all any of us want. Then we can decide whether or not we want to pay for the service or not or we understand the total price.
@David R Miller – bartending is a real job. Shaking a stick on the internet is not.
I think a situation like that calls for speaking to the manager and/or corporate.
Quickest fix is for the airline(s) to eliminate this lunacy is to ban any form of tip solicitations on the club premises regardless of employer and make it clear if an employee accepts a tip they will be looking for a new job.
Tipping culture here is getting out of hand IMHO and this minimum wage exemption for certain service industries needs to end.
Yes, tipping has gotten out.of hand when it allows an employer to get away with paying low wages..and I’m not talking about wait staff or bar staff working a restaurant with $120 filet and $75 scotches. And there is, in my opinion, even worse tipping going on..the kind that allows employers to pay wages so low that they give their employees ‘guidance ‘ on how to apply for at get EBT assistance from the start. That employee is, in effect, being tipped by all.of.the taxpayers.
I stopped carrying cash at the beginning of the pandemic. So have lots of others, I assume tips are down for that reason.
It’s very naive to think that the company will increase wages if there is no tipping. Tipping is quite normal, and the right thing to do, regardless of whether the employer is paying them less. I agree that nobody should demand a tip. But articles like this that discourage tips to thousands of hard working lounge employees who provide good service because of the author’s personal preference.is quite shameful.
Oh yes, I have a few thoughts here as I spent 20 years in service hospitality on both the management and non-management sides.
There are many people who make their livings in life working in the service industry. They have families. They educate their children. And they provide everything their families need. This is the class of service worker who wouldn’t dare even so much as speak about tips. Not unless it is an inquiry from the client him or herself. Professional service workers stay well away from that arena. What a client elects to do is what they do. You win some, you lose few at all really and it all levels out in the end.
I do not like companies that tell their employees that they cannot receive tips. That’s ridiculous. My tipping someone is my gratitude for someone’s time & service and that should not be impeded by a large company., that is completely within my own choosing. I’m just going to guess that even those who work in the airport lounges are not well compensated and tips pickup the rest making the job worth their while. The suggestion that people stop tipping to “force” companies to raise wages – good luck, not going to happen. It’s no secret that when hourly pay goes up, hours, shifts and workers get cut. There will be fewer to cover shifts, less tine off per worker, frequent closing shifts followed by next day opening shifts which is physically taxing. So, I suggest continuing to tip as you deem appropriate for the service that you receive. If it has to be discreet, so be it. Service workers will never be paid sufficient to live life absent gratuities from clientele.
It boggles my mind that any service worker would hint or even suggest a client tip him or her. That’s just plain stupid and most of these people will wash out at some point. I couldn’t even imagine the awkwardness of suggesting a client tip me. That’s just phucked up!
While I have lived in years past as a service worker in 3. 4 and 5-star dining environments as well as corporate management at the restaurant level, I do still amd have always believed that it is upon each person if/when/and how much or what percentage of tip a service worker deserves or is entitled to. It may be $100 or more, it may be nothing. I just hope the nothings are reserved for the truly unacceptable and intolerable experiences as created by the worker.
I agree tipping has gotten ridiculous. HOWEVER, I always tip the bartender in any US airport lounge (don’t internationally since not an accepted practice everywhere). I can easily afford a few dollars tip for a drink. BTW the majority of people I see in the Centurion Lounge also tip bartenders. I don’t tip people that clear the tables or provide other services but bartenders, to me, are in a special class. Now I disagree with them demanding or even requesting a tip and if people decide not to tip that is up to them and your conscious but I find it reasonable and appropriate to do so. BTW, I always carry cash, usually in smaller bills when I travel as you never know when a tip may be appropriate. If you only have larger bills they will make change (have done that many times). People that use the “I don’t carry cash” as an excuse not to tip are frankly just cheap!
Thank you L3 for pointing this out. Considering Gary’s “day job”, it fascinates me he doesn’t have a better grasp of economics.
One thing to keep in mind: price points that the establishment set on their food and drink have no bearing on the service worker aside from increased potential tip based on standard tipping percentages. The worker might be tipped nothing. Or, the worker might be tipped a full $20 on a $100 meal experience based on the typical 20%. So, even if you pay some absolutely retarded, exorbitant amount for your meal, that has no bearing on the worker – no part of that food cost goes to the worker. That is all the house’s income.
“nickel and dimed?”
“tipping is crass?”
Really?
Don’t be a cheapskate! It’s so simple:
TIP!!
I don’t normally tip at airport lounges, and since I don’t use the bars there’s generally no place to leave a tip. Today in LAX (Delta) the woman making omelets had a tip box in front of her. She didn’t ask for a tip or give any indication that anybody should give her one. I gave her a tip and it was the first time I ever tipped at an airport lounge, because of the level of service and her attitude.
As for wages, there’s no such thing as a lower wage for tipped employees in California. I think that the minimum wage is $17.28 for Los Angeles. I don’t think that anybody could live on that, especially alone. Regardless, I don’t object to tip jars, but people should not be asking for tips. The whole point of tipping in such locations is that it’s up to the individual.
The practice of tipping should end.
The airline should have a display at the lounge counter for passengers that says tipping not allowed and any employee asking for tip is subject to termination . This is why I only order take outs from restaurants
@ David R Miller — Seriously?
A tip is the amount that one American will pay to get another American to acknowledge their inferiority.
Fair point – I left $5 in the Chelsea lounge after a meal at a dining table.
The server, who was nice enough to begin with and createed no expectation of a tip, became very attentive when we went to sit elsewhere.
I probably should avoid creating the expectations
Post covid, there were so many people that got really hurt financially. I kicked in with over tipping to help them get back on their feet. Unfortunately, that has not expanded into everyone that performs a service is posting that opportunity to tip in front of you. I read that tipping has increased 80% just from the guilt and shame factors facing us on those iPad screens that make it easy and public to tip and adding the ease of a simple button, we are being dragged into higher and higher minimum tips.
Rideshare drivers are being exploited by their companies taking more than 50% of the fares.
The term tipable employee come from the fact that they are allowed to be paid some minimal hourly rate in the expectation of tips. The IRS imputes an income on these ’employees’ to assume what their taxable income should be. So, if you fail to tip a tipable employee, they will actually pay taxes on money that they didn’t receive.
Unfortunately, I have to depend upon the goodwill of the lounge bartenders to keep my glass full and there is a bonus if they actually made a craft like drink. I tip the food server in the ord Polaris lounge because I feel that is above and beyond while possibly contradicting the argument I just made. I observed a gentleman that was busting his ass at the CLT AC just because I wanted to do something nice I slipped him a $20.
I frequently read blogs where people ask how many crew are on a particular flight so they can get them gifts. Seems I just read that they aren’t allowed to accept gifts but apparently someone is.
Hearing that now they are so bold as to actually solicit a tip further supports my decision to stop supporting the post covid movement. Tipping is straight out of hand. The fact that the FAs are on foodstamps is the fault of having a worthless union, not my problem. Hotel service has been cut at least 50% and yet the expectation of tips didn’t decrease at all.
Why should part of my travel planning include having enough USD to be able to tip myself out and back into this country? The CEO has the right idea, sadly he can’t fire anyone because they are working so cheaply that his check is way above par. Time for a change.
Anyone that had to ask for a tip, doesn’t serve one.
It’s the whole reason behind tipping in the first place. If someone goes above and beyond regular service, then you tip to show your gratitude, or to elicit similar above and beyond service for the next interaction. Tipping for doing something that is standard (and what is listed as the advertised price) shouldn’t happen.
I would have immediately complained to the supervisor at THE CLUB And complained also on United’s website. I really hope it happens to me.
Try traveling outside the USA, tipping in Dollars is expected for Americans.
As a rule, airline employees should not be tipped. It’s a professional job and they’re paid as such and have good benefits. The employees serving drinks/food in airline lounges do not work for the airline. They are typically contractors. That said, if these lounges are supposed to be exclusive enclaves with included drinks then tipping seems out of place. Demanding a tip is never classy and should not be tolerated.
Have a nice day!
(I am also underpaid, so please send me a tip for taking the time to serve you with this comment).
Terminal 1 ORD, bartenders making bad faces when clients dont tip, and then if customers come again, they are getting ignored for longer period of time.
Strange attitude knowing that we paid 60$ to just enter the club…
People should just complain to United and if they get enough complaints, the bartenders may get fired. With the exception of Alaska, the employees in the clubs (past the desks) are outsourced- they are not employees of the airlines, and are not unionized. If they are being so aggressive with tips, they should be terminated. (This is coming from someone who always tips airline club bartenders:.. but also believes it should be discretionary.)
@ DWT — The bartenders at SFO clubs are unionized employees of subcontractors, and they are paid well with Cadillac health insurance and pension.
I have not used United, but never had that issue at AA or Delta lounges. Worried the issue will spread.
Alaska lounges have signs up saying that tipping is expressly forbidden. I’ve seen people try anyway and the bartenders turn it down.
Due to overcrowding, when there is about an hour wait to enter the American Express Centurion Lounge in Dallas and other locations using your platinum American Express card (annual fee $695), is it better to tip the “line bouncer,” who monitors foot traffic in and out of the lounge and handles the waitlist, twenty to fifty dollars cash to receive priority for immediate entry?
Or, would you accept an invitation for the higher annual fee American Express Centurion card, which includes the exceptional card member benefit of immediate and priority entry to all AMEX Centurion lounges worldwide without feeling obligated to tip?
I will never tip in a club lounge. We already pay a high price and have our conditions constrained on a yearly basis. Service, especially in the United States, is lackluster and sometimes ghetto. Americans have a poor notion of what good customer service is. The food is so-so in US club lounges. I pay hundreds of dollars for entry just for some semblance of peace and quiet. I don’t require some street-hire hustling me for a tip just for a sip of vino.
If I get good service.. I always tip.at least $1-$5 per drink regardless of service. Just for the bartender.
I know some of you think that “tipping is crass” or you’re being “nickel and dimed”
Totally agree with PM don’t be a cheapskate.
Regardless of the principle of tipping is good or bad (it takes some getting used to on our trips abroad since it’s mostly no tipping.) I always tip since I’m well aware that these people make fairly low wages… Unionized or not… It just my way of showing our appreciation for their service.
If you can afford a lounge membership.. Either through a credit card or not… You can spare $1-5.
Don’t be cheap!
A sign in the Alaska lounge I was in last week at SEA unambiguously told guests not to
tip. What’s gotten out of hands are suggested tip amounts on checks. When the lowest number is 20 percent, you know we’ve gone off the deep end.
This is ridiculous. I call on United and other airlines to ban tipping in their clubs. Club membership should cover tips. Pay the employees more and strictly ban tipping and tip jars. It’s tacky! These clubs are supposed to be a step above the outside world in the terminal and they cost a lot.
This is something I really appreciate about Alaska – they’re not allowed to accept tips at all in their lounges. I wish more of their US competitors would follow suit.
I felt pressured to tip at the guacamole stand at CLT Admirals Club last week as did a lot of other people. The lady even paused making guacamole so she could take out the big bills 20s) from the tip bowl which she probably planted there or naive European tourists probably paid.
@Steve G–I completely agree. In restaurants, I have always tipped 15 percent on the total tab, including tax,–and then rounded up by a couple dollars.
Since I am no spring chicken, there has been tremendous inflation over the years of my adulthood, both in terms of prices AND sales tax rates (sales rax in Seattle is currently 10.25%). So, applying a consistent tip percentage has also kept up with inflation. Demanding 18 or 20% is ridiculous. Demanding a tip at all tends to make me go out of my way not to give one, particularly for counter take out self service.
All of that said, my guess is that those who read this forum don’t work for minimum wage. It’s easy to disparage those who do from this lofty perspective. I don’t normally get drinks from the bar at airport clubs but when I do, I provide a small tip most of the time.
Aah America. You started this obnoxious practice because you don’t have decent wages and no transparency. You then inflicted this across the world. Why complain now? It’s a mad child begotten by you
Some of the situations mentioned are not tipping, dear bribing, which should be illegal. It’s just like because you call it campaign finance does not make it stop being a bribe.
So stop bribing the hotel clerk to get you a better room or don’t bribe the guy at the lounge to get you in sooner than everyone else in the line. That really is bribing you’re not being generous, you’re being selfish. Period:
If an airline lounge employee asks me for a tip, s/he is not getting a tip.
Just a quick note Alaska airline lounges do not accept any tips at all . There is signage stating this, and when I asked the bartender, he said that it comes down from corporate. They’re not allowed to accept any tips or they’ll get in trouble. .
@Suhas…I have no idea where the practice of tipping began. However, even if it did start here in the USA, I have only had anyone refuse a tip once in my international travels. That was a cabbie in Adelaide, South Australia. He did me a lot of favors, including turning off the meter while he waited for me at an intermediate stop. He refused a tip, even after I tried to explain why I wanted to give him one. That has never happened to me anywhere else worldwide.
Tipping is indeed crass and tacky. Requesting, demanding or even quietly expecting one, is even worse.
To those saying “you’re cheap if you don’t tip” – to you I say, you’re no different to the beggar on the street corner. You might as well hold up a cardboard sign, extend your hand, get on your knees and beg me outright, because you’re that pathetic. You work to earn your money, same as the rest of us, so why should we give you extra free money? As an expectation? Absurd.
I always leave $1 per drink as I would at any bar, though I’m told “20%” is standard now due to price hikes. But maybe I should stop now as airport employees are indeed well paid, especially at SFO.
I could have sworn I’ve seen a “tips not necessary” or similar sign at a United club or Polaris lounge. This would have been years ago
People like @AC are a big part of the problem.
Stop virtue signaling and let the employer take care of the employees like they are supposed to.
And why do you tip in small bills?
If you can afford $5, you can afford $50. Come on, don’t be a cheap **le now.
Pay up. See where that gets you.
You pay $600 for club access so you don’t have to pay for drinks/tips. The lounge is already not worth the cost.
Tip if you are moved to do so. Don’t tip if you are not so moved. Let’s not be slaves to others’ expectations and completely made-up social “norms,” and compelled to act against our wishes by nonsensical ideas of guilt and/or wanting to be liked.
A tip was to provide an extra couple $$ to say thanks for great service and wasn’t demanded. Since the extra service is never delivered. Who the feck is tipping. Idiots. Youve been owned by corporations. But hey, if you like to be gaslit by corporations to pay their staff….good for you.
Great article! But you forgot the exorbitant annual fee for the credit card. That’s got to be worth something. No tips from me in the lounges.
You know what doesn’t need tips…a self service bar.
@Hayden. I pay the wages of the checkout clerk at the grocery. I pay the wages of the pilot on my plane. I do it through the price of the product/service. For servers in the US, I pay through tips. We could eliminate tipping, but then I’d pay the server just the same through menu prices. Whether you like the system or not, tipping is not some company conspiracy. It’s just how things developed. You just sound like you’d like to have the advantage of lower menu prices and just want a reason to scr€w the staff. Stop feigning concern for tipped employees, so you can justify not tipping them. None of this applies to the lounge employees.
We are moving closer to cashless. I use credit for points everywhere and I typically run out of small bills which I only use for tips. Fortunately, I don’t hit the bar unless it’s for an espresso beverage, so I rarely have to deal with it. I wouldn’t mind giving a tip if I could charge it but that is not an option in the clubs as far as I am aware (charging a tip without a cost for a service). I do agree that airline lounges should not allow tips. And, the lounge tipping policy should be visibly posted. If the airline really wants to allow tips without using a CC to charge them it should put in an ATM machine that dispenses $1 bills.
I realize pretty much has gone digital but a cashless society is not the way to go. I resent sticking the panel in your face that starts with a 10% tip and upwards before you’re even served! I decline it every time. This began with the “no contact” covid nonsense.
I have no problem tipping for good, friendly service at Admirals Club. My money, my choice. If one wishes to not tip, don’t.
If soliciting tips in the lounges is not permitted and there is a bucket marked tips on the counter, photograph both the employee and the bucket when they aren’t seeing you do it, so that when you report the person to the airline, they cannot lie and say that it isn’t true. No excuse for soliciting tips, if it is against company policy, especially if they are demanding that you give them one!
That’s why travelers from around the world despise traveling to the United States of america. The Tipping culture is so obscene. People can’t stand it anymore. Why doesn’t your culture start paying people properly and get rid of the tips and the expectation of tips. What happened in the US and someone shoves a jar in front of my face I usually take and turn it over on the counter and leave it for them to clean up as they scream at me when I leave. I could care less what they think shop your tipping culture up your ass America! Tip this tip that tip last tip that tip that tip ME!!!
Your Platinum or Centurion American Express card is NOT welcome or accepted at American Express Centurion Lounges for tipping bartenders. Has your AMEX Membership lost its privileges?
Something I always appreciated about Alaska’s Lounges. They have a firm “no tipping policy” and even have signs on the counter that say “No Tipping” should there be any confusion on what is expected.
I am tipping far less in general nowadays because the tipping culture in North America has reached a “tipping point” of ridiculousness that has just pissed me off.
I realized one day that I am never going to see this person again in my life and I frankly don’t care at all what they think of me. I am one of 1000 people they will serve this week and I’ll be forgotten anyway.
Tipping has gotten out of control. Everyone thinks they don’t get paid enough by their employer and their salary should be subsidized by customers. If an employee feels that way, they need to seek other employment. Otherwise, it is only a matter of time before doctors, lawyers, engineers, bank tellers, and so on, demand to be tipped. Stop the madness, stop tipping, and force employers to pay a fair wage.
Yep, out tipping culture has gotten out of control. The final straw for me was the Jiffy Lube guy turning the screen toward me. Sorry, getting my oil changed, air filter replaced, and truck inspected for $180 is not going to qualify for even a 10%, or $18 tip.
@Greg Jones, “That’s why travelers from around the world despise traveling to the United States of america [sic].” Reading your note, I’m guessing America won’t miss you. Feel free to remove us from future itineraries.
I’ve worked in an airport restaurant for 20+ years, we work on tips alone! My pay wage is $3.50 with no raise options. My wage is not enough to pay my taxes on paycheck… What’s a few bucks for the person doing everything for you?
I’ve been a United Club member for years, never have been shaken down for a tip, but I do tip the person making my drink for me, but if what I read about others being asked for a tip- I would fire the offending club workers, or at least give them a stern warning that if it happens again, you’re done here!
Where it gets nuts is when you travel for work for a week and you realize you’re subsidizing both corporate greed and a string of random folks personal bad decisions.
I can’t claim it and I can’t bill it because it’s discretionary.
That’s my money I’m handing over and it’s becoming an expected stipend.
Wish I’d get a 20% tax free bonus on everything billable that I touch. Only wish.
@joanie adams Do the tip screens that get shoved in your face only start at 10%? Lucky you! At general restaurants here in the NorCal Bay Area, in addition to all the random and spurious fees that are tacked onto a restaurant bill, the tablet min tip is usually 18% or 20%. Sometimes higher than 20%. Only once do I remember seeing a refreshing 15% as the min tip. Of course you can always do a custom tip (unless you are at a restaurant who has an automatic 18% ‘service charge’ on parties of 1 or more — yay me, this restaurant is in my hometown in the Bay Area.).
I’m so tired of Tipping culture here in the U.S., ESPECIALLY before anything is done. Like at Ice Cream & Coffee shops or other Food establishments when you pay at ordering and they say “it’s goning to ask you a few questions. Or when doing CarryOut at a Pizza place like Domino’s and the cashier has the nerve to suggest a tip. We tip for SERVICE and above & beyond service at that. It’s not just a given.
The Alaska Lounge doesn’t allow tips. I tipped the bartender and was told thanks but they aren’t allowed to accept tips. That’s how it should be in my opinion
If you have the money for a Club membership don’t be a cheap person. Likely these people are making minimum wage and rely on tips. A dollar per drink won’t kill you and if it will you shouldn’t be spending money on the membership. They are providing a service.
SFO F lounge bartender slowly moving and doing maintenance tasks with a line 6 people deep. No Tip ( To Insure Promptness)
How about this complete tipping nonsense is refused by all guests everywhere? Employers would need to raise the wages to no minimum and would recoup it with official declared prices upfront including tax…..oh wait this is how europe and japan roll
America really is a joke for this stupid practice!!!!!
Yikes! Tipping isn’t “crass” and you’re not going to teach corporations a ‘lesson’ by not tipping workers — doesn’t matter that they don’t make a tipped wage. Tip for service roles where tips are customary (baggage porter, bartender, restaurant server…), otherwise, don’t use those services. Simple!
Most job have some form of tipping in, even if it isnt described as tips.
At the same time, when they shove the screen in your face with precalculated tips, realise that it has most probably been set up to include the percentage on the whole bill, tax included.
So always tip a percentage below unless you like tipping your server on the moeny going to Uncle Sam.
The Invited Club, formerly known as Club Corp, automatically ads a 20% “service charge” to any food or drink item (plus tax, consequently a mediocre $8.00 hot dog is $9.76.) And they do this while stating that the “service charge” is shared by all employees (evidently instead of paying a living wage.) Invited adds to the insult by providing a line on the charge slip for the member to write in a TIP! Tipping in America really has gotten out of control and it also reflects the corporate greed of companies and an international holding company that will not pay a living wage to it’s service employees.
I use United Club at Heathrow about 4-5 times per year. I TIP once on first drink to ensure good service for the next drinks (to be fair the staff are good and deserve it anyway). At Bangkok with Thai or Krisflyer lounges I always TIP on departing the lounge and always tell the staff how I liked their service. The money and comments are always appreciated. If any staff anywhere ever demanded a TIP then I’d tell them where to get off. Not acceptable. What next? Cabin crew expecting a TIP?
Interesting that this has never happened in my travels throughout the US. With this article being posted, I hope that it gets noticed by the powers that be. Many people pay a lot in credit card and ticket prices to gain access to these lounges. Bartenders should be tipped, at a bar!
I recently heard about the strike of airport workers at LAX. The reporter mentioned that they also work in airline VIP lounges and I was surprised. I always thought that the lounger workers, bartenders etc were employees of the airline but apparently they are not. And they are paid low wages.
So if I don’t tip the bartender in the Polaris lounge…chances are he’s going to provide bad service to the next passenger who in turn will say the United Lounge has bad service. So ultimately this reflects on the airline. So what to do ? DO the airlines pay more to the outsourced company or do we tip ?
I tip in those lounges but not when the bartender points it out to me. Then no tip.
Along a similar note, I purchased an uncooked/frozen local farm steak from a nearby burger restaurant that has a small “pantry” shop for things like this. The clerk caught me off guard flipping the tip selection over to me – for the bag of items I picked and bagged myself. A little annoyed and confused I did end up adding a tip. I will never go back. The place is nice and has a community feel but that completely ruined it for me.
I will tip unless I’m waiting too long or get wrong or incomplete order. But watching airline profits rise and less drinks included, I draw the line on the premium drinks. If I am already paying for premium travel experience or have it included due to corporate loyalty, I do not feel it is fair. I remember enjoying Baileys with coffee often at Delta Crown Rooms and top shelf liquor. I did not abuse it, but I do not feel the premium drink upcharge is fair.
Having been a bartender many moons ago when I worked for tips, I still can’t imagine any moment in time back then when I would have suggested – much less passive-aggressively demanded – I be given a tip. I have been swindled by the big spenders who gave no tip or a 1% percent and received a $100 tip from someone who had one drink. That’s part of the risk calculus when reliant on tipping. But if workers are earning a fair wage, then it’s not as necessary and in those cases I do look at tips as a true gratuity. That said, I’ve tipped many a person in the club. You know who never gets one from me in the club? The person who expects it and indicates as such as well as the bartenders who couldn’t give me the time of day even during slow times. I look upon that as poor service that should not be rewarded.
I think it is up to the individual or individuals on wether they choose to tip or not tip at a place because to me,I don’t think anybody should be forced at all to tip at places at all, unless it’s due to getting really good service