As I shuffled away from check-in with my tail between my legs, I contemplated what went wrong in my front desk tipping attempt. No room upgrade for me. There I was in Mexico, a place where the peso will buy you out of any mess with the Policia, short of murder. And for that you simply need to get the judge involved. Yet I struck out at a hotel front desk. Politely and professionally shut down by this unflappable clerk. He of the employee of the month parking space.
The concept of front desk tipping seems to be controversial. Some see it as unethical and shorting the employer. I don’t really agree. It’s not like back in the day when your pal at the grocery store rang up only 1 of the 4 six packs you threw on the counter. There is latitude at the hotel front desk as far as upgrades. Why not tip someone for doing you a solid.
Front desk tipping guide
For those whose principles will be compromised, it’s best to achieve your upgrades the good ol fashioned way: full price on the internet machine’s booking site. Read no further. For the rest of us heathens who occasionally peaked at the smart kid’s answer sheet, this guide prevails. Let our oiliness be washed away in the fancy jacuzzi suite.
If you’re still following along, welcome to the circle of trust. It’s time to explore what went wrong at the front desk in Mexico and how best to approach the art and science of this black ops mission. Several key factors should be considered before you reach for your billfold.
Location
Where you are has a lot to do with your chances of front desk tipping success. The U.S. is generally a tougher get as business operations tend to be by the book and with heavy oversight. Best bets will be the cities where the culture is more loosey goosey and moral standards are fuzzy. Vegas, Miami, NY etc. A quick field test is the hooker rule. Victory in the lobby has a direct, proportionate relationship to the amount of hookers in the city. A helpful travelers tip.
Outside the States there is more leeway, although many variables come into play. Are you in a place where rules are rules or a place where rules are made to be broken? If it’s a business trip in Japan…don’t even try. If you happen to be vacationing in Somalia… cakewalk to the penthouse.
First world countries are fairly consistent with the U.S. It’s luck of the draw and depends on the exact city. In second and third world countries, a few bucks can move mountains. At the same time, staff in those locales might be critically concerned about risking their jobs. All you can do is step up and swing. Oh and take inventory of the hookers on the way in.
Property Level
The next factor is the quality of the property. Clearly the clerk at the Econo Lodge is not going to have much to offer you, though the tip will no doubt be well received. Perhaps you will get a room with less stains on the comforter and a functioning hot water heater. At the Four Seasons New York, the posture will be too above board and buttoned up. The target is somewhere between those two extremes.
tipping the front desk
Room Variances
Before you start throwing money around, conduct your due diligence on whether there are enough room options to make it worthwhile. If you are at a property with the same style units across the board, there isn’t much to gain other than perhaps a higher floor or a spot overlooking the pool rather than the parking lot. On the other hand, if you are at a property with all sorts of room types, you have fertile grounds. Vegas is a perfect example. Also promising are the sprawling ocean front resorts where the views and building locations vary dramatically.
Front Desk Tipping Strategies
You have a hotel booked that checks enough of the above boxes. How do you score that upgrade and impress your companion with your VIP cred? Huddle up…
The preemptive strike
A little utilized strategy is to make a move before you even walk into the lobby. Call first. Talk to the front desk. Get their name and say how you look forward to seeing them. It’s a bit of a longshot but they might appreciate your positive juju. Plus they are likely to feel put on the spot to deliver for you. They just might click something right then on the screen. Boom, you get a pleasant surprise when you check in. Welcome. Ah yes I see that we have you in the grand suite. Indeed. Don’t even pull your cash out. You win.
The Approach
If the preemptive strike was overlooked or unproductive, then it’s time to make it happen at the front desk. Let the games begin. Ideally you will not be waiting in line for a busy check in process. That’s detrimental. Try to pick the clerk who is farthest from the others. Wandering eyes and nearby ears work against your success.
tip front desk for better room
Approach with confidence and warmth. The goal is friendly and respectful while also being a person of status. You are James Bond (or the Bond girl). Cash should already be cued up to be presented along with credit card and ID, but you do not want to make a show out of the exchange. It’s the opposite of how you make it rain in the tip jar when you buy first round. Discretion is key.
Well don’t be so discreet to where the clerk fails to notice. Make sure you get their eye contact on that cash before you start running your mouth. Then speak up. Say something like I’ll make it worth your while to give me an awesome room. You can even sprinkle in a reference to your companion’s birthday or anniversary if that fits. Perhaps inquire about a specific suite. Like my first boss used to preach, don’t be afraid to ask for the sale. Close!
hotel Front desk tipping
The next moments are critical. It’s Texas Hold Em and time to call or raise. Are you getting a reaction or radio silence? If you don’t sense them taking the bait, then pull back your cash. The worst-case scenario is to tip someone and they don’t do a darn thing for you. (Like a bathroom attendant). It’s rare but it happens. It will bug you the rest of the trip. You got punked. Beaten by a pair of twos. Ask one more time and then fold.
On the other hand, you are in play if their eyes light up or you get a response like let me see what I can do. Consider your money spent at that point. It’s been placed in the offering plate. No take backs. The only question is whether to sweeten it.
Front desk tips on trips
Amount
The amount you present depends on a number of factors. What part of the world are you in? In some countries $5 would make a pretty significant bump in that person’s wages for the day. In New York you will be looked at like you ordered your steak well done at Smith & Wollensky. Your room will be next to the elevator and overlook the dumpsters.
How long are you staying. What levels of upgrades are potentially on the table. How bad do you really want the suite.
Third world countries aside, the right threshold is $20 to $50 depending on the above and your situation. Is it the first trip with your new sweetie who you are trying to impress? Let’s start with $50 and go from there. Been together so long that you use coupons at dinner and prefer twin beds? Keep it modest.
Remember the sheer economics of the mission. Perhaps you had considered upgrading to the ocean front suite but decided it wasn’t worth the additional $600 for the week. If the clerk is willing to play ball, it’s a bargain to get that room on the spot for a hundred bucks cash. Generally front desk tipping is not going to come down to this kind of open-ended negotiation, but the point is that you can end up way ahead here.
ideas for tipping the front desk
The patient one
This technique is rare but it has its place. Perhaps the hotel is busy and the clerks are slammed. A bus just arrived. Everyone is riding the staff wanting their room now. When it’s your turn, empathize with the clerk and ask if it would help them out if you waited awhile for your room. In a few hours a suite might be opening up and it will awarded to you gratis out of appreciation for your amazingness. This is a solid play if you can store you bags and find something to do. Casino. Grab lunch. Hit the beach. Etc.
Front Desk Tipping Consolation Prize
If you find yourself striking out, don’t take it personally. Chances are it’s a matter of strict policy or availability. Plus all is not totally lost. There are other perks that can be offered. Mini bar service, free breakfast, activity tickets etc. You never know what they might be able to hand out to their favorite guests.
Whatever the outcome -even if you are defeated like me in Mexico- don’t hold it against the staff or let it sour your stay. In my case the room was already a nice suite with ocean views. A slightly larger unit was the only thing I could have gained had my front desk tipping been successful. No big deal. The good news is I was able to keep that extra cash to deal with the Policia. Blessings in disguise.
