As you can tell, I like to travel (usually with Sharon). However, for all of my advance planning and packing lists, there is one thing that I forget to bring almost every time. I’m not talking about a razor (like on our trip to Chicago) but something you always need at one point or another during a trip.
Of course, I am talking about cash, whether you call them dollar bills, singles, ones, or, as my dad says, “smooch money.” You know, tip money for the bellman, taxi (or Uber/Lyft) driver, housekeeping, or any other place you wish you had a few bucks with you to leave as thanks for excellent service.
I don’t usually carry cash with me because I don’t get points when paying with cash. However, there are some instances where cash is necessary. I can’t leave my credit card on the pillow of my room and tell housekeeping to charge me $3-5 for their time. I can’t add $10 to my room charge to give the bellman for bringing two bags and two cases of wine to the room in Portland after visiting Willamette Valley.
Have you ever had to ask a bellman to break a twenty? I have. It’s kinda awkward. I know they don’t mind since it means they’re getting a tip. But how much change should you ask for back? If you have a bunch of luggage, they might just think that you’re a good tipper. Possibly an uncomfortable situation.
I’ve occasionally made an early morning trip to the front desk asking the staff to break a $20 so I have money to leave for housekeeping. I’ve also found that hotels don’t even have a great deal of cash on hand anymore. And a trip to the 7-11 to get a Coke Zero just to get change isn’t a good start to any day. I have occasionally left a dollar or two in loose change in the room (and a note to let housekeeping know it is for them) because it’s all I have.
It’s somewhat easier now that Uber, Lyft, and even taxis will allow you to add a tip to your bill (although giving cash might help your Uber rating).
Hotels have gotten smart and allow guests to tip housekeeping via a QR code. This is becoming more prevalent, but it’s not available everywhere.
So be smart. Make sure to break some of those bills in your wallet before you go away or buy something in the airport (after security) and ask for change in singles. You’ll be happy that you did.
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6 comments
FYI Lyft let’s you add tip to the bill already!
Thanks for the info. We tend to stick to Uber because 1) we don’t use it much. 2) I get free rides each month from my AMEX Platinum and 3) Sharon is still leery about jumping into “someone’s car”. We have several friends who drive for Lyft so I don’t want to paint with a wide brush but I’m still skittish about getting a car with Lyft that we’ll be leery about getting in to.
Admittedly when I saw the headline I thought condoms.
So you don’t mind jumping into “someone’s car” if it has an Uber sticker on it? Is there a difference that I, as a ride share novice, am unaware of?
yes, me too, is there a difference between “someone’s car” if its an uber or a lyft?
I would never tip housekeeping. It’s not my job to gross up compensation for hotel employees.
That said I concur about the change problem. Most of us don’t have the time or inclination to pull a bunch of 1s and 5s every time we travel. But unfortunately they are needed to tip airport club bartenders, bellhops, valet parking, etc.