Cashless-Tipping Is Coming To Hotels, But How Much Are You Supposed To Tip Anyway?

Tip Via App

New Jersey-based Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (WH) is rolling out a digital tipping option for the owners of more than 6,500 hotels in the US and Canada. The move aims to solve a modern problem, being that many people increasingly don’t carry cash while traveling. But what do you do when the bellhop drops off your luggage or you’re checking out and want to tip the housekeeping staff?

Wyndham, the parent company of Ramada, Days Inn, and other chains, is the first major hotel company to roll out such a feature nationally. It first experimented with the idea earlier this year, in a bid to attract more housekeepers, as they were having trouble filling slots.

How It Works

Wyndham’s program will use Béné, a cashless tipping platform. Guests can scan a QR code located within a small plastic frame on the nightstand, at which time different options display on the screen. Suggested tip amounts vary based on location, but generally range between $3 and $10.

During testing, Wyndham’s program focused on housekeepers, but the hope is to expand to front desk workers and bellhops. Some employees are reportedly interested in having business cards printed with the QR code, to hand out to guests.

Hotel owners will pay $50 for the QR code materials. From there, guests pay a 7.9% service fee to Béné on each tip amount.

How Much Should I Leave?

One of the challenges in tipping is knowing what amount is appropriate. That’s aside from not having cash — which is an excuse that you may not be able to lean on much longer. Travel trade groups, like the American Society of Travel Advisors and American Hotel & Lodging Association, have issued helpful guidelines. Of course, that’s provided you can overcome tipping fatigue, which has emerged throughout the pandemic.

For a shuttle driver, anywhere from $1 to $5 per person is recommended. That same amount goes for the valet that brings around your car. Bell staff and porters can be paid between $1 and $5 per bag, and that same amount is recommended on a nightly basis when tipping housekeeping staff. Finally, if you forget your toothbrush or razor, you should tip $2 for anything brought to your room, and then an additional buck for each item. It’s certainly a lot to keep track of, but at least the digital option will provide a detailed list of what you spent.

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