ASIADCMEMBER

I have been tipping US$10-$20 day/ cleaning depending on how big the house is and how many hours I think it takes to clean
US$50-100 for the destination host for a week stay.

Is this too much, too little or do people even tip the cleaning and destination hosts at all

NeilGoBlue

It's a great question, one even my own club couldn't answer for me... With Bellehavens, we weren't suppose to tip... with AK it's ok to tip.. but I had no idea how much..

On my 7 day trip to cabo, I tipped the Destination Host $250. He did an awesome job and even brought his family to the home to baby sit my kids. (and didn't charge for that).

I left $20 for the cleaning crew...

So, I have no idea what's right, but am very interested in hearing what other people are doing..

LTTravel

ER has recommended tips which are different for each destination. They say that the concierge does not require tipping but $50 per week or $25 per weekend for exceptional service.(I would think that if they really go out of their way, even more) Housekeeping is more variable. Anywhere from $2-$4 per bedroom per day. Certainly more in those destinations where housekeeping cooks breakfast for you daily, but they do not say that.

Jetmikey

I think $5/bedroom for cleaning
and $20/day for Destination host.
Of course, outstanding service deserves more.

Onboard yachts it's a little more...( they typically do it all themselves, cleaning, cooking, driving the boat, cleaning the fish, etc..)

I would say $20 per person on board per day with a minimum of $100 per crew and $150 for the captain even if it is just two people.

Kagehitokiri

what % of employees in foreign countries are americans?

LTTravel

I've been to Mexico and Costa Rica. All employees were local.

Tedpilot

Damn few!! I've been to 50 countries, give or take, and the only travel industry employees I ever met were a few on a small island in Greece. They were back-packing through Europe like myself and just decided to stay at this one locale that catered to backpackers. They could still be there for all I know...

So, you're saying tip in local currency then? I think hard currencies are always good. I remember tipping my maids in Moscow and St Petersburg $1, a pack of gum and a candy bar each day. I heard that they really liked that stuff. On the other extreme, in St Lucia I tipped our cook/cleaning lady about $25/day and she didn't want to take it...?

Kagehitokiri

sorry, i meant DC employees..

i assumed ASIADCMEMBER was only talking about DCs. if not, there is a lot of good tipping discussion in the luxury hotels forum on flyertalk.

personally, i am starting to tip less here at home, and when traveling try to be cognizant of local practice.

caribbeansun

Why in the heck wouldn't the DC pay these people appropriately so that the members don't have to tip at all - I'm personally tired of having to worry about this sort of thing.

vineyarder

I agree, and therefore I do appreciate PE/UE's no tipping policy for local hosts/concierges...

__________________
*************
Living in a vacuum sucks!

3DH

Agreed, caribbeansun and vineyarder... LUSSO's destination guide states: "Tipping your Local Concierge is not an expectation. However, Members are
welcome to recognize exceptional service as they see fit."

I am in hopes that LUSSO is paying both the housekeeping staff and concierges accordingly, but do tip the concierge based on our requests... historically $100 per stay (our stays are usually less than a week) if we have asked them to make reservations for us, or have asked much of their time in the way of planning.

__________________
"Boutique" is better! Another extremely satisfied LUSSO member!

Kagehitokiri

(i also agree with the last 3 posters and like the policies of UE/lusso.)

TarheelTraveler

I think A&K's policy is similar to Lusso. However, for some places, the trip planner will have a guide as to what is normal for "exceptional service." I have a vague recollection of $50 for the week in one place and $10-20 per day in another. I asked a host once about what most people did, and it seems like I was told that they never expect it and that many don't tip, but some do and the amounts vary.