Valet Parking – USA

[Gary B]

A quick question, I know they love tipping in the States but how much and when do you tip at valet parking? I am staying 5 nights at a valet parking only hotel. I’ll be arriving, out and in two of the days and then leaving – so six “transactions” in total.

[JDB]

Gary B wrote:

A quick question, I know they love tipping in the States but how much and when do you tip at valet parking? I am staying 5 nights at a valet parking only hotel. I’ll be arriving, out and in two of the days and then leaving – so six “transactions” in total.

I think $5 for each ‘transaction’ would be about average, not over generous but also not mean.

[davefl]

Convention is that you tip when your car is returned, not at drop off but it’s up to you.

Personally I avoid any hotel that’s valet only. I did it once in Baltimore and the experience was not great as the car was parked about 1/4 mile away and the poor (very overweight) valet had to run up and down a hill to retrieve the car which took ages.