SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 14, 2004–When it comes
to business, time is money. Corporate travel agency Travelocity
Business(SM) knows this remains important for business travel. Amy
Ziff, Travelocity Business’ travel pro, has consulted hotel insiders
and reveals the ins and outs on tipping to get the most out of every
business trip, whether that means getting great reservations from the
hotel concierge or speedy service from the valet.
“Business travelers want to be perceived as savvy during their
trips and they often utilize different services than vacationers
during their hotel stay,” says Ziff. “Business travelers may be road
warriors or they may be new to the road. In either case, they often
require special assistance to impress clients, and good tipping
practices are just a part of the business traveler’s road arsenal.”
Due to their knowledge of the cities they work in, good concierge
services should top the list of resources at hand for many business
travelers. It’s important to recognize and reward this valuable
assistance with everything from a courteous thank you to the monetary
tip, depending on the service.
“If you’re asking the concierge for dinner suggestions, no tip is
necessary,” says Ziff. “If he or she secures you a table at the
hottest restaurant in town, a tip is due.”
-- Concierge:
-- A $1-5 tip is generally sufficient for duties such as
organizing a meeting space or gift deliveries.
-- A $5-10 tip is suitable for A-list dinner
reservations.
People should always feel free to give a tip commensurate to the
job performed, says Ziff. For example, if a concierge exceeds a
guest’s expectations, additional gratuity may be appropriate.
Additionally, Ziff divulges the top hints on tipping etiquette for
everyone from baggage handlers and bell attendants, to restaurant wait
staff and hotel housekeepers and notes that baggage handlers (such as
sky caps at the airport or train station), bell attendants, car
valets, doormen and shuttle and taxi drivers should always be tipped.
-- Baggage Handlers: $1 a bag is standard, more if the
luggage is very heavy
-- Hotel Doormen: A few dollars for the duration of your stay
is sufficient
-- Shuttle and Taxi Drivers: 10 percent of the fare is
acceptable (or $1-2 per passenger for a free shuttle)
-- Valet: Either $1-2 per trip or a more substantial tip at
the end of your stay to one valet. Valets usually pool
their tips and this is often preferable for travelers
making frequent trips in and out of the hotel.
-- Restaurant Wait Staff: A tip of 15-20 percent is normal
for a meal with good service.
Industry experts agree that even though tips and service fees are
often included, if a hotel room service waiter goes above and beyond
the call of duty, an additional tip is certainly a nice touch.
According to Ziff, the practice of tipping hotel housekeepers is
often the most confusing, with opinions ranging from leaving a tip
every day, leaving one tip at the end of a hotel stay, to no tip
required at all. Whether you tip with your pocket change or leave $1-2
for each day of your stay, either tactic is fine, says Ziff.
“House maids often clean the same rooms each day, and it is nice
to recognize their efforts, especially when they have performed
turn-down service, brought additional towels, and clearly cleaned with
care,” says Ziff. “Often the more luxurious the hotel, the savvier the
guest and tipping practice.”
Ziff notes, however, that is important to never ask for change
when tipping as this can put the person being tipped in an awkward
position. The best form is to either carry a supply of small bills, or
get change and revisit the tip at later time, if necessary. Most
importantly, though, tipping should always be accompanied by a sincere
smile and thank you.
“When in doubt, I always operate under the premise that you tip
for a service performed with excellence and you tip more generously
for something that exceeds your expectations,” says Ziff. “Remember
though, most concierges say that often a gracious thank you and a
smile is enough. So say thank you with a smile and mean it! And
remember the saying, what goes around comes around, and that in
business a little good tipping karma can never hurt.”
About Travelocity Business
Travelocity Business is a full-service corporate travel agency
that helps companies easily manage travel and reduce costs, while
providing more choices to travelers. Travelocity Business combines the
savings and convenience of online with the full service of dedicated
agents available 24/7 who typically answer the phone in 20 seconds,
and within 60 seconds guaranteed. Companies can cut travel costs
through flight deals, Web fares, hotel discounts and service fee
savings — representing an average savings of more than $100 per trip,
including airfare savings averaging 26 percent per ticket and service
fee savings of up to 84 percent.
Travelocity Business combines the expertise, service and travel
choices of Travelocity with corporate experience gained from serving
more than half of the Fortune 200. For more information, companies can
visit www.travelocitybusiness.com.
About Travelocity
Travelocity’s industry-leading technology and straight-talking,
honest information help travelers take more rewarding and affordable
trips. With 44 million registered users and booking nearly $4 billion
of travel in 2003, Travelocity(R) negotiates thousands of low-priced
deals with the world’s most reputable travel providers — top
airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, and other
destination attractions and services. Additionally, Travelocity offers
deeply-discounted rates for weekend getaways and dynamic packages
through its Last Minute Deals and TotalTrip(SM) shopping engines, and
provides customer service support over the phone 24 hours a day. Based
in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity powers international travel Web sites
in eight languages and has been recognized for its consumer advocacy
and global leadership in online travel. More information about
Travelocity is available at www.travelocity.com. Travelocity is owned
by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel
commerce. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at
www.sabre-holdings.com.
CONTACT: Vollmer Public Relations
Mary Kate Smither, 972-488-4790
marykate@vollmerpr.com
or
Chintan Talati, 972-488-4790
chintan@vollmerpr.com
SOURCE: Travelocity Business