Travel Etiquette Q & As

We are back to traveling the friendly skies, and temperatures, as well as emotions, are at an all-time high! In their recent State of the American Traveler report, Destination Analysts reports: “Americans still appear to be holding on to their Fall travel plans—with 25.0% of American travelers reporting trip plans in September, and 20.7% reporting trip plans in October.” When packing our bags for an upcoming trip, we should not forget a few basics when it comes to common courtesy. The most important tip is to respect those you encounter along the way. Here are a few travel etiquette Q and As and pleasant reminders to make your next trip a soaring success.

Travel Etiquette Q & As

Q: How much do I tip an airline rep who checks me in curbside, so I don’t have to stand in long lines inside?

A: When you check in curbside, it’s a perk, and you should tip $2 for the first bag and $1 for each additional bag.

Q: What if I check in and don’t check a bag?

A: You are still receiving a service; I recommend you tip at least $2.

Q: Do I need to tip at an all-inclusive resort?

A: Yes. Most often, employees rely on gratuity, but there will be some resorts that specify “no tipping,” and their employees are not allowed to accept gratuity. Do your research in advance. Most often, “all-inclusive” does not mean “tip free.” At an all-inclusive hotel, depending on the price point, an individual should bring approximately $150 to spend on concierge, bellman, housekeepers, servers and miscellaneous employees who perform acts of kindness and goodwill. Similar to the United States, service providers such as restaurant employees, spa attendants, concierge, housekeepers and tour guides rely on gratuity to make up for lower wages.

Q: Should I tip in American dollars or local currency?

A: Tipping in the local currency is easiest, because the individual does not have to take the extra step of making the exchange. If you opt to use American dollars, use bills rather than loose change—dollars are easier than Euros or Canadian currency to exchange.

Q: Can you provide a breakdown of the typical tips at an all-inclusive hotel?

A:
$5 per couple per meal is generous
Buffet-style meals: $1 to $2 per meal, per person
Bartenders: $1 per drink
Attendant who brings you a drink pool or beachside: $1 per drink
Housekeeping: $2 to $5 dollars per day
Spas and treatments: 15% of bill
Tour guides: 20% of cost

Q: If I don’t use housekeeping, do I need to leave a tip?

A: If you are staying in a hotel, and opt out of housekeeping, you don’t have to leave a tip. But, if they come in and clean your room each day, a tip is warranted.

Q: Do I tip a flight attendant when they serve me a drink?

A: No. If you want to do something special, email the airline commending them on their excellent service. Cabin crew are not allowed to accept cash. One possible exception is Frontier Airlines (check in advance for their latest policy).

Q: What is one of the most common airplane pet peeves?

A: Someone taking their shoes off on the airplane! It’s in poor taste, and doing so means you are subjecting yourself to picking up bacteria and viruses, according to a recent Travel + Leisure article. Keep your shoes on, if only for your seatmate’s sake.

Watch my recent Travel Etiquette Q & As on KTBC Fox 7 Good Day Austin.

For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go to” social and professional (manners) skills authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. 

See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.