Who and How Much - Tipping in Las Vegas

By Chris Allen

 

Las Vegas is a tipping type of town unlike any other town I have ever seen. The majority of the jobs in Vegas are directly related to the Travel and Hospitality Industry and a majority of those workers rely on tips as part of their income and a tip is always expected, unfortunately it is not always earned.

When deciding on a tip, as a customer should probably weigh the following, should I tip, and how much should I tip. The problem when you do not tip is that you are actually taking money away from many of these workers. That is correct taking money away, let me explain, over the last decade the IRS has started to tax all those employees who accept tips by using a formula on what their expected tips should be. Most of their hourly salaries are taken away in taxes and the paychecks they receive are actually for zero dollars, in other words they live on their tips. So unless you have a problem with your service leave a tip.

Here is a list of tip examples I follow:

Sky cab at the airport:

$2 to $3 a bag more if you have a lot of bags or they are heavy.

 

Cab Drivers:

15% to 20% of your fare, more if the service was exceptional.

Parking Attendant Valet:

$5 to $10 when picking your vehicle up or $2 to $3 when dropping off and picking up your vehicle. Tip more if you would like your car parked somewhere special.

Hotel Bellman:

$2 to$3 a bag more if they are heavy or if you have a lot of bags.

Maid Service:

$5 a night, more if you need extra service or leave a mess.

Any food service:

15% to 20% depending on the level of service you receive.

Bartenders:

If you are getting comp drinks, at least $1 each drink. If you are gambling at the bar 5% to 10% of your winnings. If you are paying for your own drinks 15% to 20%. More for excellent service.

Cocktail servers:

If the drinks are being comped then $1 to $2 for each drink. If you are paying for your own drinks 15% to 20%. More for quicker service remember they can get very busy.

Dealers and gaming employees:

These hard workers rely on tips as well, so if you are having a winning streak or session please tip your dealers. Ask the dealer if they prefer a straight tip or a bet. Simply place your tip of $1 or more in front of your wager on the table game you are playing and let the dealer know they have action, and it will be appreciated.

 

Race and sports ticket writers.

If you are winning, tip your writers $2 or more it will be appreciated as the casino workers are usually overlooked when it comes to tipping. Sometimes I’ll actually place a small $5 or $10 parlay for the ticket writers if they prefer as a tip, and it has always been appreciated, and they root for me to win as well.

Of course there are other casino and hotel workers who are overlooked, but deserve tips as well. One that stands out are the porters who are always cleaning the common areas of the hotel and casino, if you see one of these porters doing a good job, especially if responding to a mess you made, tip them $2 to $5 it will be appreciated and they deserve it. Do not forget front desk workers, pool employees, spa workers, etc. If you get exceptional service leave a tip.