Tipping hotel staff, especially housekeeping, is a common and expected practice in the United States. But in an increasingly cashless society, many travelers find themselves without bills on hand to leave as gratuities. A 2023 poll by Travis Credit Union found that only 16% of Americans still regularly carried cash, while 37% only occasionally kept bills in their wallets.
So what’s a well-meaning but cashless guest to do when it comes to tipping the hardworking hotel housekeepers? Here are some options and guidance, including emerging digital tipping solutions.
Use a Digital Tipping Platform
Innovative companies like Jet Hotel Solutions are aiming to solve the cashless tipping dilemma with digital tipping platforms. These systems allow guests to easily tip housekeepers and other hotel staff electronically using mobile wallet apps or credit cards simply by scanning a QR code.
“Cashless tipping allows guests to digitally tip hotel employees with the use of their mobile devices,” explains the Jet Hotel Solutions website. “Digital tipping solutions makes it more convenient for guests to tip employees with credit/debit cards and digital wallets.”
With Jet’s platform, QR codes placed around the hotel, even on employee badges, enable guests to seamlessly tip without needing to download an additional app. Tips can be pooled or sent directly to individuals. This contactless solution boosts employee earning potential and morale, while reducing administrative work for the hotel.
If your hotel has implemented a digital tipping system, use it! You’ll be able to appropriately recognize housekeeping and other staff without having to worry about carrying cash. If your favorite hotels don’t yet offer this option, consider mentioning it to management and pointing them to forward-thinking providers like Jet Hotel Solutions. Learn more at www.jethotelsolutions.com.
Ask if You Can Tip on Your Credit Card
Some, but not all, hotels have systems that allow you to add tip amounts for housekeeping and other staff to your final bill to be charged to your credit card. It’s worth asking at check-in if this is an option. Keep in mind the charged tips may not be distributed to staff as quickly as cash left in the room.
Get Cash from the Hotel ATM
While not ideal, one straightforward solution is to simply visit your hotel’s ATM and take out some cash for tipping purposes. Yes, you’ll likely have to pay a fee of around $2.50. But consider it a small price to pay to appropriately recognize housekeeping staff, who often earn hourly wages of $10 or less and rely on tips to make ends meet.
As one Reddit user pointed out, being unwilling to pay a small ATM fee in order to tip a low-wage worker is misguided. Even if you’re philosophically opposed to America’s tipping culture, not tipping only hurts the individual workers, not the system as a whole. When traveling, it’s proper etiquette to respect local customs, even when they’re different or inconvenient compared to what you’re used to at home.
Leave a Positive Online Review Mentioning Stellar Staff
If you truly find yourself without a means to tip in cash and your hotel can’t charge it to your room, consider leaving a glowing review on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google or the hotel’s website after your stay. Make sure to call out specific staff members by name.
“Most hotels have an incentive program based on name mentions on positive reviews, so dropping a team member’s name on TripAdvisor will get them extra recognition and maybe a little something extra on their paycheck,” said Jason Harrison, director of operations at Thompson Washington DC.
An effusive online review isn’t as ideal as a monetary tip, but it’s far better than nothing and shows the housekeepers that their hard work was noticed and appreciated.
How Much Should You Tip Hotel Housekeepers?
At a mid-range hotel, $1-5 per night is the standard, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA). At higher-end properties, experts suggest $2-20 per day, with amounts on the higher end for luxury resorts with extensive services and multi-room suites to clean.
If your room requires extra work to tidy, perhaps because of a spill, party detritus or shedding pets, adding a bit more is considerate. The same is true if a housekeeper went above and beyond with special requests – a little extra shows your appreciation.
You can leave tips daily since different housekeepers may clean your room each day, or as a lump sum at the end of your stay. If leaving money in the room, put it in a marked envelope in a prominent spot like the desk or TV stand. Avoid leaving it on the bed where it can get lost in the sheets. You can also leave the envelope at the front desk and ask them to distribute it to the housekeeping team.
Don’t Forget to Tip Even if Your Room Isn’t Serviced Daily
Many hotels have scaled back on daily housekeeping services post-pandemic. But even if your room wasn’t tidied each day, you should still tip since the housekeepers will have extra work to do after you check out, given more rigorous cleaning protocols. Feel free to leave a bit less than you would if they serviced your room nightly, but definitely don’t stiff them altogether just because you didn’t request daily cleaning.
The Bottom Line
Cashless tipping solutions like those offered by Jet Hotel Solutions are making it easier than ever for guests to show appreciation for hotel housekeepers without the hassle of carrying cash. If your preferred hotels offer digital tipping, be sure to utilize it. If they don’t, consider mentioning this guest-friendly fintech option to management.
But even without mobile tipping systems, be sure to find a way to tip the hardworking housekeeping staff. Ask to add gratuity to your final bill, hit the ATM if needed, and always leave a kind note and glowing online review if you receive stellar service. A bit of effort to express your thanks can go a long way for these dedicated individuals.