Description

That awkward moment when the valet drops off your can and you only have a $20. Or when the bellman tries to take your bags and you wrestle it away because it has wheels and you are perfectly capable of dragging it to your room. Or at the end of the tour when you try to suavely slip the tour guide a $10 bill.  

Today we deal with all of those scenarios and more. We are chatting with three experts about tipping at hotels, the airport, internationally, tour guides, and more. We get specific and tell you how much, who, and when to tip.

ON THE PODCAST

00:30 - Talking with Kim about her trip to San Diego

08:48 - Talking with Jodi Grundig

10:15 - Tipping at hotels

19:48 - Tipping a doorman

21:06 - Valet parking

23:59 - Tipping outdoor staff

27:48 - Spa tipping

28:40 - Tipping when traveling in airport or Amtrak

34:32 - Jodi's favorite travel gear

37:04 - Upcoming trips for Jodi

37:50 - Talking with Susan Pazera

40:20 - Where to research tipping customs

43:23 - Hotel tipping in Europe

46:03 - Getting currency to travel

48:40 - Tour tipping

53:17 - Final tips for tipping in Europe

55:50 - Susan's favorite travel gear

57:37 - Talking with Lynea Adams

58:30 - Types of tours and places

59:22 - Who tips guides

1:00:37 - How much to tip

1:07:53 - What to know about how tours run

1:09:45 - Lynea's favorite travel gear

1:10:30 - Upcoming adventures in Alaska

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Jodi Grundig founded Family Travel Magazinein 2011 to help make travel accessible to families. She resides in Massachusetts with her husband, twelve-year old son, fourteen-year old daughter, and Havanese dog, and has traveled extensively to Europe, the Caribbean, and the US with and without her children. When she isn't writing blog posts, Jodi can be found on the softball/baseball field or the theater cheering on her children. Jodi has a BA in Economics and Psychology and an MBA in finance.

Follow Jodi on Facebook, Instagram, Twitterand Pinterest.

Susan Pazera is a Travel & Lifestyle Writer and Photographer and Mom to four children ranging in age from 11 to 23. She's been traveling with her kids since they were little and has become proficient at planning trips for families with kids of any age and any stage. She's learned the ins and outs, the good and bad, and every late night snack stop there is in between! She enjoys traveling with her family but also loves to travel solo too, especially when it involves exploring & being active. You can find her skiing, hiking, swimming, relaxing on the beach, or just roaming the globe! She's always on the look-out for her next adventure and loves to share each of her journeys along the way!

Check out where she has been on bothMom on the Mapand Shes on theGo. Follow Susan on Pinterest, Twitterand Instagram.

Lynea Adams is an independent tour director and celebrant specializing in Alaska and creating magical travel experiences. See where she is going and follow Lynea on Instagram.

WHEN AND WHAT TO TIP WHEN TRAVELING

• If you are going to tip your housekeeping daily, be sure to leave them a note letting them know that the money is for them. Hotels conveniently have little pad of paper, usually by the phone, which comes in handy for this.
• Typically we would tip $2-5 per person, per day for housekeeping.
• Tipping can be hard to judge, but sometimes it is best to assess what the person is doing for you rather that just tip a flat amount wherever you go. For instance, if you valeted your car and the attendant has to run to go get your car from a garage a few blocks away, you would tip more than if the attendant just has to walk ten feet away to get your car that you may even be able to see.
• We usually tip a valet $2-5 when they bring the car.
• Keep in mind that in some cultures tipping is actually considered an insult rather that a way of say they provided great service. Especially when traveling to foreign countries you should try to research guidelines for tipping.
• When you are traveling to a different country and are looking to get some cash you can always head to an ATM and withdraw money when you get there, but you can also get money before your trip by ordering it through your bank. Be sure to check with your bank first, because it could take two weeks or more to get your currency.
• If you are ever unsure of what to tip you can always ask!
• Remember that many tour guides rely on tips as a large portion of their compensation.
• Guides should usually be tipped $5-10 per person depending on the length of the tour and the service delivered.

FAVORITE TRAVEL GEAR

Jodi loves to wearing her Rothy's and her Betabrand pants whether it is while traveling or just around the house.

Susan loves to wear her Prana capris and makes sure to always have her Merrell hiking shoes.

Lynea loves to wear t-shirt dresses and her Skechers sneakers.

MENTIONED ON THE PODCAST

Conde Nast

Tips on Tipping Abroad - On Call International

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If you liked this show, please be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, orGoogle Playand leave us a review! Have a question or comment? Send us an email or leave us a voicemail at +1.641.715.3900, ext. 926035# You can also follow our travels on Stuffed Suitcaseand We3Travel, or follow the Vacation Mavens on Instagram, Facebookor Twitter. Thanks for listening!