Hotel Valet Parking - Tipping Etiquette

[RickFLM4]

So we'll be taking a road trip soon in my wife's SUV and staying at a hotel that has only valet parking - no self parking. I haven't valet parked in so long I'm not sure I remember the tipping etiquette. What is typical? $5 when getting the car back from the valet but nothing when dropping off?

[Axius]

Ummm, never tipped or let anyone park my cars...., so I'd say like $2?



I mean, you're paying them to park and get exercise....,

[c1pher]

Just say no:
http://jalopnik.com/5925788/i-used-t...rk-my-car-ever

When I owned a Mustang, I was staying at a valet only hotel once and the valet took my car, started revving the engine, then took off pretty quickly. As he went around the corner, I guess thinking I wouldn't see or hear?, I could hear my engine screaming. I immediately went to the hotel manager and was then allowed to park myself up front of the hotel for the remainder of my stay. I did not see the valet after that event.

I try my best not to give anyone else the keys to my cars. When I do, I generally end up tipping more mature (older) people more simply because it is probably their actual profession and they are typically more pleasant/friendly to you and caring with your car. Younger ones are just there until something else better comes along and are generally speaking, less respectful of you or your vehicle.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Just say no:
http://jalopnik.com/5925788/i-used-t...rk-my-car-ever

When I owned a Mustang, I was staying at a valet only hotel once and the valet took my car, started revving the engine, then took off pretty quickly. As he went around the corner, I guess thinking I wouldn't see or hear?, I could hear my engine screaming. I immediately went to the hotel manager and was then allowed to park myself up front of the hotel for the remainder of my stay. I did not see the valet after that event.

I try my best not to give anyone else the keys to my cars. When I do, I generally end up tipping more mature (older) people more simply because it is probably their actual profession and they are typically more pleasant/friendly to you and caring with your car. Younger ones are just there until something else better comes along and are generally speaking, less respectful of you or your vehicle.

there you go, i wouldn't valet the car if all they have is a bunch of teenagers who just got their driver licenses...

[MightyMouseTech]

If I was at a valet only hotel, I would park somewhere else myself. Last thing I need is some dickbag destroying my clutch.

[RickFLM4]

Self parking is not an option so I am stuck with the valet parking. I get why people don't like it and personally don't like it myself. It is a 6-year old 4-cylinder SUV. Not too worried about joy riding and, like I said, no self parking available. Just trying to get feedback on how others tip since not everyone is quite as adverse to valet parking and some live in / travel to places where it is the only choice.

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Self parking is not an option so I am stuck with the valet parking. I get why people don't like it and personally don't like it myself. It is a 6-year old 4-cylinder SUV. Not too worried about joy riding and, like I said, no self parking available. Just trying to get feedback on how others tip since not everyone is quite as adverse to valet parking and some live in / travel to places where it is the only choice.

depends on what kind of hotel you are staying, if it is just a normal one, i would say $2 is fine. For a high end one, I would tip a bit more $4-5.

Also, if you gonna tip a bit more, I would do it when you are dropping the car off to them rather than when picking it up. But for a beater SUV, I really wouldn't worry about it that much.

[zx10guy]

I seem to recall $5 being the tip he gave the valet.

[Soul_Glo]

Stayed at The Fairmont in New Port Beach, CA. It was valet parking only. We only tipped them $5 two times because the parking was $30 a day! So $5 upon arrival and on the day we left - 7 night stay.

On top of that they did scrape the bumper on our F10 528i but I polished it out. They had more fun bringing the Porsche's around and mine only came around fast once.

For lower end places I'd say $2-3 and if you can avoid a valet only hotel please do unless there is parking nearby.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

Just say no:
http://jalopnik.com/5925788/i-used-t...rk-my-car-ever

When I owned a Mustang, I was staying at a valet only hotel once and the valet took my car, started revving the engine, then took off pretty quickly. As he went around the corner, I guess thinking I wouldn't see or hear?, I could hear my engine screaming. I immediately went to the hotel manager and was then allowed to park myself up front of the hotel for the remainder of my stay. I did not see the valet after that event.

I try my best not to give anyone else the keys to my cars. When I do, I generally end up tipping more mature (older) people more simply because it is probably their actual profession and they are typically more pleasant/friendly to you and caring with your car. Younger ones are just there until something else better comes along and are generally speaking, less respectful of you or your vehicle.

Couldn't agree more about the young ones. Whenever I have stayed at a valet only hotel I have noticed the older generations taking care as they bring the car around.

[Matt@EuroJerks]

$3

[PINeely]

Insist that you park your own car. Make up a reason if you have to.

I cannot stand valets. They act like they're doing you a huge favor when all they do is adjust your seat and radio and mirrors to go 50 feet. Now all of my settings are fucked up, I'm stressed out wondering if you're doing burnouts in my $80,000 car, and on top of it all it's costing me money in tip. Not that I'm worried about $5 but it's just the exclamation point on the end of a whole terrible experience.

[F30lolz]

If I were to valet which I would never do, I would tip $5 during drop off. Upon pickup, I would visually inspect and then give another $5 if all went well.

[jlstyle]

If I'm staying more than a day, I would tip $5 at first pick up call. Then maybe $1 or 2 afterward. I never tip at a drop off.

[aajjcc]

Slip em a $20 and ask to park it yourself

[Cloud9blue]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Insist that you park your own car. Make up a reason if you have to.

I cannot stand valets. They act like they're doing you a huge favor when all they do is adjust your seat and radio and mirrors to go 50 feet. Now all of my settings are fucked up, I'm stressed out wondering if you're doing burnouts in my $80,000 car, and on top of it all it's costing me money in tip. Not that I'm worried about $5 but it's just the exclamation point on the end of a whole terrible experience.

argh you know our cars can save all those setting to each keys right?

that said, the only places i am comfortable with valeting are the nice hotels where they have bentleys and lambos at the front and our bmws are much more of the pedestrian.

[pz619]

Fiver on the top end. Usually a few bucks.

[KennySRFElite]

$5 in and out, they are like waitresses, take care of them and they will take care of you.
KP

[c1pher]

Just remember that the more cash you give them equates to that much more gas money they have to joy ride with....that's like insult to injury lol.

[Germanauto]

Let's just say that I reinforce Indian stereotypes when it comes to tipping

That's assuming I let anybody valet the car at all.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Let's just say that I reinforce Indian stereotypes when it comes to tipping

That's assuming I let anybody valet the car at all.

[blue-mw]

I have only ever valeted once and I was forced into it. Older gentleman, very nice and polite. Dropped it off to check in at a hotel, got situated, came back down to get my car and go to the store.

Car pulls up a few minutes later and the valet driver locked the keys in my running car! Needless to say, hotel bar drinks were paid up for the remainder of my stay. That's my one and done.