US tipping post COVID #cashless
Discussion
Hello 
Firstly after years of dodging contactless COVID did for me and I honestly havent spent any paper or copper/silver money for just under 3y
I really havent visited a cashpoint since then and at an unplanned Waitrose visit last week used my Swiss Army knife to release a trolley as I didnt have a pound coin in my pockets or the cars 'man drawer'
We're off to the US in a few weeks - I get their tip culture and in cafes and restaurants I expect to be given the opportunity to add a service charge to my bill on the card machine
My question relates to the other USA specific stuff..........
Do I need to exchange a huge wodge of paper dollars for bell boys, valet clerks, lift attendants, cabbies, tour guides, bus drivers, etc etc etc
Genuine question
Firstly after years of dodging contactless COVID did for me and I honestly havent spent any paper or copper/silver money for just under 3y
I really havent visited a cashpoint since then and at an unplanned Waitrose visit last week used my Swiss Army knife to release a trolley as I didnt have a pound coin in my pockets or the cars 'man drawer'
We're off to the US in a few weeks - I get their tip culture and in cafes and restaurants I expect to be given the opportunity to add a service charge to my bill on the card machine
My question relates to the other USA specific stuff..........
Do I need to exchange a huge wodge of paper dollars for bell boys, valet clerks, lift attendants, cabbies, tour guides, bus drivers, etc etc etc
Genuine question
Fear not, the Yanks are all set up for cashless tipping. There will always be a line on the receipt to add it a tip.
They aren't yet big on contactless payments (perhaps for reasons of tipping in tourist areas) and even with putting your PIN into a cordless machine at the table in a bar/restaurant - it will still spit out the receipt where they expect you to add the tip amount.
(Although in one place the chap rushed into the car park to find me when the machine wouldn't allow him to add the tip on afterwards, and politely asked if I could come back and re-PIN it.)
It is worth carrying a wad of singles for small tips (porters, tips on free drinks etc)
They aren't yet big on contactless payments (perhaps for reasons of tipping in tourist areas) and even with putting your PIN into a cordless machine at the table in a bar/restaurant - it will still spit out the receipt where they expect you to add the tip amount.
(Although in one place the chap rushed into the car park to find me when the machine wouldn't allow him to add the tip on afterwards, and politely asked if I could come back and re-PIN it.)
It is worth carrying a wad of singles for small tips (porters, tips on free drinks etc)
This is gonna sound like a dumb question, because I was in the US last year and when I paid by card at the restaurants I was also leaving a cash tip after signing the receipt where you put a tip amount in etc. Were they actually taking a card tip and then getting extra from the cash? I assumed I still needed to be leaving 10/15/20% in cash.
Edited by 75Black on Friday 17th March 09:54
75Black said:
... Were they actually taking a card tip and then getting extra from the cash? I assumed I still needed to be leaving 10/15/20% in cash.
If you wrote $10 on the tip line and left $10 in cash, I suspect you've generously tipped $20.Edit to Add: I've asked waiters/bar tenders in the past whether it is better tip via the card or leave cash, and the answer has always been that it doesn't matter, each establishment will have its own policy on tips being pooled or kept separate which ever payment method is used.
Also, in some 'work for tips' jobs they are taxed on an assumed level of tips rather than the actual amount, so cash tips don't help that way either.
Edited by Truckosaurus on Friday 17th March 10:12
Truckosaurus said:
75Black said:
... Were they actually taking a card tip and then getting extra from the cash? I assumed I still needed to be leaving 10/15/20% in cash.
If you wrote $10 on the tip line and left $10 in cash, I suspect you've generously tipped $20.Edit to Add: I've asked waiters/bar tenders in the past whether it is better tip via the card or leave cash, and the answer has always been that it doesn't matter, each establishment will have its own policy on tips being pooled or kept separate which ever payment method is used.
Also, in some 'work for tips' jobs they are taxed on an assumed level of tips rather than the actual amount, so cash tips don't help that way either.
Edited by Truckosaurus on Friday 17th March 10:12
the whole time I was there I was doubling the tip. No wonder the waiter in the restaurant in Savannah was confused about the cash!Fewer and fewer Americans are using cash. Restaurants etc now have a guide for tipping printed onto your receipt when the bill arrives. 18%, 20% or 25%. You just add it on as you sign or enter then pin. Some cash is handy but debit and credit cards rule today. So many are linked to airlines etc they love the points here on anything.
Petrus1983 said:
Tbh if you’re that concerned about Covid I’d avoid airports and a 10 hour flight with recirculating air supply.
But beyond that - adding tips to your card is the norm these days - the only people who may miss out are people like the bell boy.
Where does it say that he's even the remotest bit concerned about Covid?But beyond that - adding tips to your card is the norm these days - the only people who may miss out are people like the bell boy.
if you're already buying something then contactless or tipping via card hasn't been an issue for me... The problem is mainly when you're just using a service like left luggage etc. Handy to have a little bit of cash for these eventualities, but i haven't taken cash to the US on my last half a dozen trips and still have cash from 2019!
In a big city like NY the normal restaurant tip is 20%. ( Brits are famous for not tipping by the way) .
Generally on a credit card.
I do not use much cash, but tip the bellboy, and leave something each night for the cleaner in a hotel. Definitely tip the concierge if they are doing a lot of work for me. Always cash.
Cabs are mainly credit and they provide a choice of tip% when you pay. I personally do not tip for counter service but usually leave a buck or two at a Starbucks drive-thru for instance.
Generally on a credit card.
I do not use much cash, but tip the bellboy, and leave something each night for the cleaner in a hotel. Definitely tip the concierge if they are doing a lot of work for me. Always cash.
Cabs are mainly credit and they provide a choice of tip% when you pay. I personally do not tip for counter service but usually leave a buck or two at a Starbucks drive-thru for instance.
The Ferret said:
Petrus1983 said:
Tbh if you’re that concerned about Covid I’d avoid airports and a 10 hour flight with recirculating air supply.
But beyond that - adding tips to your card is the norm these days - the only people who may miss out are people like the bell boy.
Where does it say that he's even the remotest bit concerned about Covid?But beyond that - adding tips to your card is the norm these days - the only people who may miss out are people like the bell boy.
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