do you tip for room service if there's already a service charge?

Answer 1

In the U.S. (at least) the answer is yes - regardless of the type of service you're talking about. When you're dealing with an arrangement where service charges are included, those arrangements are made by booking services who negotiate for the best deals for clients. Those negotiations naturally involve the booking service looking for the best package deal they can get, and in order to secure the business, companies will cut their rates to the booking service. One of the easiest areas to cut is the gratuity or service charge, since this goes to the employee and the employee has little or nothing to say about it. Bottom line is that the deal you're getting is often at the expense of the room attendant, valet, chauffeur, etc. whose tip you are being told is included in the package.

By the way, NEVER ask a service person if there is already a tip included. If you're asking, it's undoubtedly because you've received excellent service and want to be sure the person is properly tipped. However, the service person is obligated to tell you yes, which gives you an excuse not to tip - and the service person knows this. If a service fee is included, 5 to 10 percent is a minimal tip, as this is equal to the hit the employee took in the booking process. If the service is better than adequate, the tip should reflect the superior quality of the service. Your thoughtfulness will invariably be very much appreciated by service personnel.

I make my living as a professional chauffeur - I know. I also know that if a person asks me if a tip is already included there is a 99.5% probability that I'm not going to see any additional tip - no matter how good the service is I've provided or how far out of my way I've gone to assist the client. The absolute worst is when I'm chauffering a group in something like a motor coach or bus. I'll have 20 or 30 people...and be loading and unloading all their bags - and amost invariably no one will tip because service fees are included. But what it means to me is that I will do ten times the work I would normally do for a single client and receive far less for my work than had I spent the time chauffeuring a single family or individual.

Answer 2

Social rules say yes. The service charge is for the establishment, not the server.

Answer 3

YES YOU SHOULD, THE SERVICE CHARGE USUALLY GOES AS AN ADDITIONAL COMMISSION TO THE TRAVEL AGENTS OR ARE UTILISED FOR MAINTENANCE. SO THE PERSONAL SERVICE GIVEN SHOULD BE PERSONALLY APPREDCIATED AND TIPPED.

Answer 4

some people do, some don't, no rules .. most don't .. if you did receive exceptional room service than you might do it

Answer 5

Unfortunately for those of us who are cash poor, yes. 15% or at least a whole dollar is usually customary.