May 31, 2023, 1:58 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
QUOTE=WineCountryUA;35293380]As has been noted in other UA tipping threads
This thread is about what you do concerning tipping at United Clubs (which are primarily located in the USA). It is fine to say you think tipping is appropriate and it is fine to say you do not tip or feel there should be no need in a membership club. It's fine to say some international travelers will find it odd as tipping is not a common practice for much of the world. But let's not get into a discussion of if tipping should be practiced in the USA. Or wages structure issues other the UCs. Or that others should not make the choice to tip because then you feel it reflects badly on you if you don't. Those are discussions bigger than UA. For better or worse tipping practices in the USA are different than other countries (which may have mandatory service fees included or different wage structures).
Also as there are other tipping threads, let focus on just the UCs in this thread.
There is plenty to discuss, and in the UA forum, no need to wander into either of the above areas. Many come to this thread for information (the primary purpose of FT and the reason this thread was started) on the common practice at the PL, not a lecture on right or right. There are other FT forums for those debates / lectures.
If you can not say within these bounds please do not post in this thread.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
[/QUOTE]
Tipping in Polaris lounge
United's Policy on Tipping FAs?
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Jul 9, 2024, 6:20 am
#76
Antonio8069
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,599
AC equivalent
I happily tipped while having dinner at AC's Signature Suite lounge in YYZ. Great service, quality food and friendly!
I also want to respond to techsman. Arguing you paid $5 k to UA is enough i.e. you do not need to tip the shower attendants @ EWR. Are you aware that these staff are not employed by UA? (I know, I asked). Tipping is discretionary, but you should at least find out what happens with the tipping pool? Most are split amongst the staff, but @ times the ER can reduce wages as a result..
WVmike likes this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 6:32 am
#77
kbhayani
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 2
Tipping at lounges
For a better than average services, including servers and bar tenders getting to know you and serve well, I always let me know of my appreciation through appropriate tipping. It should be done, but not as a right or obligation.
uanj likes this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 6:40 am
#78
WVmike
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Charleston WV Area
Programs: 12 year UAL GS, LT Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Titanium, AA Plat Pro
Posts: 124
I generally tip at all the airline clubs for drinks and usually leave $5 to $10 for the shower attendants if I use a shower (typically at a Polaris Club). I have used the clubs weekly at ORD and know most of the bartenders pretty well after 15 years lol.
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Jul 9, 2024, 8:14 am
#79
ERtraveler
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA 1MM, Avis Chairman, Four Seasons Elite, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 466
Low wage workers are struggling even more with current inflation levels so its not surprising to see more tip jars. I do not find it galling to see an expectation of a tip for good service. If I have small bills at hand I tip. It doesnt sit well with me to not tip when Im rolling in with luggage and a handbag equal to 2 months or more of their salary and Ive just paid an astronomical price for a ticket across the pond. Whats another few dollars? It means way more to the recipient than to me.
as219, LaserSailor, frank808 and 2 others like this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 9:11 am
#80
tracon
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,069
Originally Posted by m.y
Please do not bring the American habit of tipping to Asia.
Or anywhere else in the world for that matter.
Originally Posted by ERtraveler
I do not find it galling to see an expectation of a tip for good service.
The employee is hired and given a wage to provide good service.
Tipping is for exceptional service.
rch4u and porciuscato like this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 10:59 am
#81
LaserSailor
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 6,029
Originally Posted by zombietooth
I happily tip in Thailand and almost never in Japan, but I do give gifts to service staff that I see regularly throughout the year at hotels/restaurants. I usually tip my arubaito in Japan at the end of the day if they've done a good job.
I almost always tip the bartenders and the "Dining Room" waitstaff in the Polaris lounges.
Once you see what it costs to get to work at EwR, you tip.
uanj, ERtraveler and WVmike like this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 12:22 pm
#82
eng3
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,424
Is it just me, or was there once a sign in one of the UC or PL advising us not to tip.
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Jul 9, 2024, 12:34 pm
#83
porciuscato
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,285
Originally Posted by eng3
Is it just me, or was there once a sign in one of the UC or PL advising us not to tip.
I have been going to UCs for 30 years and PL lounges since they started and have never seen such a sign.
You may be confusing UC with Alaska lounges, where there is a stated no-tipping policy. I once tried, and the bartender said with pride: "We don't take tips here." It's kind of like Japan and Germany -- there's a clear acknowledgment that tipping demeans everybody.
WVmike likes this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 7:55 pm
#84
meijiem
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 173
I usually don't tip at the bar, if I don't sit there. The bartenders don't seem to treat me any differently than others. I like the Alaska lounges with their no tipping policy. It leaves no room for doubt.
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Jul 9, 2024, 8:22 pm
#85
zkzkz
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,638
As an international traveller it never even occurred to me to tip in lounges for years. Then I found myself choosing not to drink because I didn't want to deal with the decision or finding USD to tip with. When I just want a co*ke it's a bit annoying when even the stingiest tip amounts to basically paying full price for my drink :/
It would help to know whether lounge staff are paid salaries commensurate with a tipped position or a non-tipped position.
I don't really begrudge them trying to get tips in a non-pushy way. Everyone's just trying to get by and there are plenty of well-heeled travellers who appreciate bar service far more than I do and are happy to tip for the service.
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Jul 9, 2024, 8:50 pm
#86
uanj
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 3,092
Originally Posted by eng3
Is it just me, or was there once a sign in one of the UC or PL advising us not to tip.
It's not just you. I think it was in ORD maybe 6 or 12 months after opening since this was a common question from guests. I don't think it was up for very long, maybe half a year.
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Jul 9, 2024, 8:53 pm
#87
halls120
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,746
Originally Posted by COSPILOT
Not specifically club related, but a drink is a drink, and I tip at least a dollar, if not more. Speeds up my refills big time even with a counter full of people at the bar.
It speeds up refills and gets you a larger pour. Thats why I always tip the bartender.
uanj likes this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 9:31 pm
#88
ERtraveler
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA 1MM, Avis Chairman, Four Seasons Elite, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 466
Originally Posted by zkzkz
It would help to know whether lounge staff are paid salaries commensurate with a tipped position or a non-tipped position..
Theyre low-paid no matter what.
ARR72 likes this.
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Jul 9, 2024, 9:40 pm
#89
GourmetFlyer
Join Date: May 2023
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA Platinum, Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by halls120
It speeds up refills and gets you a larger pour. Thats why I always tip the bartender.
In a way, yes, I agree with your experience for the most part, most of the time. It's almost like my tipping habit in Las Vegas casinos. You get free drinks while playing and tipping is absolutely not required. I usually give a $10 tip for the first drink brought to me, and I have the attention of that server the rest of the night.
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Jul 10, 2024, 1:52 am
#90
LaserSailor
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 6,029
Originally Posted by m.y
Please do not bring the American habit of tipping to Asia.
I tell everyone in Asia to aggressively seek tips from angry Americans.
your welcome.
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