Valet Tipping

I tip both ways, usually $5

If you pay attention, they usually write something down on your ticket when you drop off, like your name, but I have seen and been told that many valet's have a "code" system on the marked tickets, like a line/notch or some small mark, showing you tipped on arrival or are a good tipper.

They have also shown on many TV shows that it is in your best interest, in order to keep the valet from speeding around in your car like in Ferris Bueller, you place the tip on the dash on drop off so they know you're a tipper, and they'll take better care of your car.

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/confessions-valet-parker-tips-car-safe/story?id=23611149

from article:

 

That article just drives me nuts. It makes you tip out of fear, which is horse sh*t.

 

Prove it

Prove that valets never abuse cars of non-tippers or that tipping can reduce or eliminate that potential for abuse.

 

I think i saw you in terminal 1 back in november where united comes in for baggage sitting in a chair. Wanted to say hello but wasnt sure if it was you since ive only seen pictures of you here. Would have been awkward if it was not you. Were you in vegas back in november?

 

November 2014?

No.

Plus, I typically fly SWA since it's the only non-stop, but if it was me, saying "hello" would have been cool.

 

Yes, nov 2014. The person looked like you and i had to do a double take lol. It was when i just got into vegas.

 

I'll be there the weekend of the Fight, Kentucky Derby, Supercross, Endurocross and Arenacross race weekend (first weekend of May)

If there, maybe we can meet then

 

I never tip on drop off but do $5 on pickup as i stated earlier...the harrahs in new orleans, the valet is street level but the ones who arent kept up top "most people" valet has to drive around the casino and then into an underground parking garage.

they keep my car up top and on pickup they give me the keys in hand and i pull my own car out. I still tip but ive had many times where they leave the paper valet tag on my keys and it only list a few things...they circle color and make, they write your license plate number down, valet writes his/her initials and then they place an x next to any damaged areas on the car diagram...

never have they had any messages or codes on all the ones ive seen


as far as everything else, waiters if the service is good, bartenders, strippers, any transportation all get tipped.

 

Places vary

Either way, why take the chance and why not give the guy or gal hustlin for a buck a smile. Whether it's $1 or $5, you're about to go piss it away in a casino in a heartbeat, right?

 

true, all places vary, here the people who write and give you your valet ticket make almost double what the runners do...and ME personally dont always go to piss it away when I do go...I have a lot of friends who work there and others who play and many times will only go to hang out and drink, save the gambling for another day...

everyone has there own thing but not saying you, others earlier of not tipping anything at all is just wrong.

 

When I first moved here, I did self park just about everywhere. I have since realized how nice and easy going through Valet makes things. I typically tip $2 at drop off and $3 at pick-up. I do believe in most cases tipping should be based on level of service, but 99% of the time I go with my $2/$3 system for valet regardless. I figure I'm paying for two things...#1)easy access in and out. Some of the self park garages are a hell of a walk from the action and #2) By tipping at drop off, I'm giving myself a better chance they guy/gal isn't going to treat my car like a discarded soda can. Just my thoughts.

 

Like other members said, I get a strap of $1's too ($100) just for tipping for good service.

$2 to drop off car, $5 if i'm checkin-in & they need to tote Luggage to bell Desk.

$5 min to pick up, If my A/C is Blowing cold & they open to door for wife, $10.

Have even been known to tip Doodie man $5 for making the rest room minty fresh & clean.

 

Yeah, almost as bad as people thinking they are getting some sort of extra special service with their few extra bucks because they get called "sir" and their car is returned to them in adequate time.

Seriously, reading this board you'd think people imagine the baseline level of service to be their cars returned trashed by bitter valets who scowl and spit on them.

 

Interesting read. I don't use valet parking, and I never would have considered tipping upon dropping the car off, just when picking up. After reading this thread, seems like $5 split between d/o and p/u makes good sense and is decent.

 

lol

This subject is like Battista's and resort fees: Once you come down on one side or the other, there is no other side.

 

Just one little note:
If valet parking is complimentary, I tip at drop off and at pick up. If I am paying for valet parking (like everywhere in the DFW area charges...anywhere from $5 to $20), I will tip $2 on pick-up only.

 

Tipping is a personal choice, some people undertip and some people overtip, I guess it all comes out even at the end of the week/month for the valet guy/gal. I sometimes tip at drop off and always at pick up, I,m not gonna say how much, as I said it is a PERSONAL choice.

 

Until I started staying downtown at the Fremont hotel (where valet is the only parking option), I never used valet parking. I'm very self-sufficient and perfectly capable of parking my own vehicle, plus I never liked the idea of tipping to drop off and retrieve my car. But I've had to adapt ever since I adopted the Fremont as my new home in Vegas. R.I.P. Imperial Palace.

Until today I've never looked for valet tipping guidelines. I've always tipped $2 for every dropoff or pickup and that's always felt sufficient for parking a basic rental car. I just don't see how excessive overtipping would serve any purpose...and $5 or more for each pickup or dropoff feels needlessly high.

After reading everyone's helpful feedback, I feel good about my $2/$2 tipping scheme.