Hotel Tipping: 5 Things Every Traveler Should Know
From housekeeping and valets to QR codes and cashless gratuities, here’s how hotel tipping etiquette works today
Tipping etiquette at hotels still confounds many travelers, but gratuities matter more than you may think. Housekeepers, bell staff, valets, and shuttle drivers often rely on tips as part of their income.
This is especially true today, as the hotel experience has changed. Since the pandemic, daily housekeeping service is no longer standard practice at many budget and mid-range hotels, with some moving to every-third-day cleaning or requiring guests to opt in at check-in or by hanging a card on the door requesting the service.
At the same time, our society has become increasingly cashless, and tip fatigue is real. Between QR codes, payment prompts, and endless screens asking for gratuities, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s expected.
Here’s a practical refresher on modern hotel tipping etiquette.
How much tip do you leave in a hotel?
Many hotel workers earn an hourly wage that's reliant on tips from guests as part of their income. Here’s what’s generally recommended:
- For housekeeping, UNITE HERE, a hospitality workers union, recommends at least $5 per night, with higher amounts for suites or late check-outs that leave less time to clean rooms.
- At luxury hotels, $10 to $20 per night is more common, according to the Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association.
- For bell staff, plan on $1 to $5 per bag, tipping more for oversized luggage or full-cart services.
- For valets, $2 to $5 when your car is dropped off and returned is typical, while shuttle drivers are typically tipped $1 to $2 per person.
UNITE HERE’s online tipping guide offers suggested gratuities for nearly everyone you might encounter during your stay, including servers, doormen, and concierges.
Do you tip at the time of service or when you check out of a hotel?
For housekeeping, it’s best to tip each day rather than waiting until check-out. Staff often rotate, so the person cleaning your room may not be the same each day. Leaving a daily tip helps ensure the right people are recognized for their work. Some hotels provide envelopes for tips and thank-you notes.
For most other hotel staff, including bell staff and valets, tips should be given at the time of service. Concierges, however, are often tipped at check-out, especially if the same person assisted you throughout your stay.
How do you tip without cash?
Increasingly, hotels are adapting to cashless habits with digital tipping options that let guests tip directly from their phones. Tap-to-pay and mobile payment apps, such as Venmo and Zelle, are now part of everyday life, and many hotels are extending that convenience to gratuities.
QR codes may appear in guest rooms, on housekeeping carts, or even on staff badges. Scan the code, choose a tip amount, and pay using a card or mobile wallet—much like any other mobile purchase.
If you don’t see a QR code, ask the front desk whether the hotel offers digital tipping. Some major hotel brands, including Marriott, Wyndham, and IHG Hotels & Resorts, have added tipping features to their mobile apps, making it easy to tip staff during or after your stay.
Do you still need to tip if you’ve opted out of housekeeping?
Yes. Even if you decline daily housekeeping, it’s still customary to leave a tip at the end of your stay. Skipping service doesn’t eliminate the work involved.
Even if you decline daily housekeeping, it’s still customary to leave a tip at the end of your stay.
Housekeeping staff still prepare your room before arrival and complete a full turnover after check-out, which can be even more time-consuming after several days without cleaning. A check-out tip based on the number of nights stayed recognizes work that happens behind the scenes.
How does tipping vary with international stays?
In the US, tipping is expected for many services, but that’s not always the case when traveling abroad. Customs can vary widely by destination, and what feels standard at home may not apply elsewhere.
In parts of Europe, for example, a service charge may be included on a bill, making additional tipping unnecessary. In other countries, including Iceland and Japan, tipping is not part of the culture at all. Since there is no global standard, a good rule of thumb is to inquire with a local tourism office or hotel staff about local expectations.
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Hotel tipping may feel more complicated than it used to, but understanding the basics of modern tipping etiquette helps remove the guesswork—and ensures good service is thoughtfully acknowledged.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you tip housekeeping at a hotel?
A good baseline is at least $5 per night for housekeeping. At luxury hotels, or when you have a suite, a late checkout, or extra mess, $10 to $20 per night is more common.
Should you tip housekeeping every day or at checkout?
Tip housekeeping each day rather than waiting until checkout. Different staff members may clean your room on different days, so a daily tip is more likely to reach the person who helped you.
Do you still tip if you skip daily housekeeping?
Yes. Even if you opt out of daily service, housekeeping still prepares your room before arrival and turns it over after you leave. A checkout tip is a thoughtful way to recognize that behind-the-scenes work.
How do you tip if you do not have cash?
Many hotels now offer digital tipping through QR codes, mobile wallets, or hotel apps. If you do not see an option in your room, ask the front desk whether the property offers a cashless tipping method.
How much should you tip bell staff, valets, and shuttle drivers?
Bell staff commonly receive $1 to $5 per bag, with more for oversized luggage or full-cart service. Valets are typically tipped $2 to $5 when returning your car, and shuttle drivers usually receive $1 to $2 per person.
When should you tip the concierge?
If the same concierge assists you throughout your stay, tipping at checkout is a practical choice. A tip is generally unnecessary for simple directions, but more involved requests often warrant a gratuity.
Does hotel tipping work the same way outside the US?
No. Tipping customs vary by country, and some destinations include a service charge or do not expect tips at all. When traveling internationally, check with the hotel or a local tourism office before following US tipping practices.