A new tipping practice is sparking outrage among hotel guests.
Some Marriott and Hyatt properties have started asking for tips at the front desk during check-in – a move many find off-putting.
Traditionally, hotel guests might tip for services like luggage assistance or leave cash for housekeeping.
But now, places like Marriott’s LaSalle Hotel in Bryan, Texas, and the Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall in Boston have begun requesting a tip at check-in, View From The Wing reported.
‘Needless to say, we ignored the tip request,’ a guest asked to tip using a QR code at the Marriott LaSalle told the publication.
The guest added that they were ‘smugly happy we don’t stay at Marriott very often anymore.’
Hotel chains have argued that prompting their guests to tip is an effective way to boost staff pay without having to raise wages.
According to travel expert Gary Leff tipping at the front desk is only typical in Las Vegas, because it is an understood custom for requesting a room upgrade.
Guests have reported being prompted for tips at hotel check-ins
‘You slide the cash over with your credit card and ask whether upgrades are available (ideally mentioning the room type you want) and if they can do it they pocket the money,’ Leff said of the practice.
However, Leff said the trend of other hotels asking for tips is ‘disturbing’ and ‘insidious.’
‘The guest is expected to fork over money to the front desk clerk for what, exactly?’ he asked.
Americans have grown increasingly frustrated with the proliferation of tipping culture.
‘Tipping culture is out of control here in the US,’ one reader commented under the View From The Wing’s story.
The practice once limited to restaurants and occasional other services has now spread to a variety of unlikely locations including self-checkout kiosks.
Nearly three quarters of Americans say tipping is now expected in more places compared to five years ago, according to a poll by Pew Research Center.
Touch screens presented to customers now ask for tips of around 20-25 percent, with some even suggesting more.
In one extreme example, a trader was left outraged when an Alaska restaurant presented him with the option to tip 100 percent.
Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston presents guests with QR codes for tipping at check-in
Marriott’s LaSalle Hotel in Bryan, Texas has begun asking guests for tips at the front desk
Almost three quarters of Americans leave a higher tip when they are presented with a digital screen at check out, a report found.
Some 73 percent of people said they gave a gratuity at least 11 percent higher when tipping digitally, as opposed to with cash.
The study by Forbes Advisor also found that 31 percent of people admitted feeling ‘pressured’ to tip for a range of services ranging from sit-down meals and coffees to taxis.
