Hotel Valet parking- when\if to tip (another America thread)

[Martyn76]

As part of an upcoming holiday we're staying in a hotel in Clearwater for 5 days, the hotel only has valet parking (looks like it's a multi story across the road) and me being the overthinker that I am I'm starting to think about if I will need to tip every time we use the car, hopefully we won't be heading to often as it's a beach type holiday but I should think we'll head out and about at least once.

So the question is, should you tip if valet parking is compulsory and how often?

[craig1912]

Martyn76 said:

As part of an upcoming holiday we're staying in a hotel in Clearwater for 5 days, the hotel only has valet parking (looks like it's a multi story across the road) and me being the overthinker that I am I'm starting to think about if I will need to tip every time we use the car, hopefully we won't be heading to often as it's a beach type holiday but I should think we'll head out and about at least once.

So the question is, should you tip if valet parking is compulsory and how often?

Thought tipping in the States was compulsory……. I reckon they’ll expect a tip each time you use the car.

[Geekman]

You will be expected to tip every time you use the car. If there's a way of just driving it yourself into the car park they use and walking across the road to the hotel afterwards I'd do that but it depends what kind of system they have.

I stayed at a hotel in San Antonio a while ago that wanted $40 per day parking plus tip, I parked around the corner for less than half that.

[gotoPzero]

If its in and out valet then it depends on the service IMHO.
$2-5 per use is my usual for I/O.

If they bring the car up for you and have the ac running before you take a step outside then $5.

If you hang round for 10 minutes then $2.

Some places wont let you call up, some will so its not always their fault if you have to wait.

[Martyn76]

gotoPzero said:

If its in and out valet then it depends on the service IMHO.
$2-5 per use is my usual for I/O.

If they bring the car up for you and have the ac running before you take a step outside then $5.

If you hang round for 10 minutes then $2.

Some places wont let you call up, some will so its not always their fault if you have to wait.

Thanks, that sounds sensible to me.

Just looking on Google maps, there is a sign at the entrance of the car park that says "HOTEL GUEST PARKING ONLY, others will be towed at owners expense", so looks like I could park in there myself, will probably use the Valet service when we arrive though.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

also check you hire car insurance as alot dont cover valet parking