How to Tip Valet Parking
Like food delivery and hair care, valet parking is considered a human service that calls for tipping. Many valet drivers are paid minimum wage, and tipping is an important part of their income. Tipping your driver provides an incentive for the valet to pay special attention to your vehicle and demonstrates that you are a generous, thoughtful person.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Pay When You Pick Up
-
1
Most tips are given to the valet during the retrieval of your car. After you turn in your valet ticket to the valet desk, the valet captain will notify one of the drivers to retrieve your car from the valet parking lot. When you see your car pull up to the entrance, approach the car for pickup.
-
2
Before the valet opens the driver's side door, pull a couple of dollar bills from your wallet. Fold them in half so they can easily be handed to the valet. Two to three dollars is always sufficient. Carefully approach the car and wait for the valet to exit the vehicle and hold the driver's door open for you. As he holds the door, hand him the money and say something like, "This is for you" or "Here you go."
-
-
3
Before driving, check to make sure your car is in the same shape you left it in. Are any valuables missing? Does the fuel level look the same? If you spot any problems, notify the valet desk.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you drive an expensive vehicle and want to ensure that your car receives special treatment, tip the driver when he heads off to pick up the car. The small offering can buy you a bit of good will with the driver. Also consider tipping the driver in advance if your car is dirty, smelly or so difficult to drive that you need to give the valet special instructions.
Before the valet captain dispatches someone to pick up your car, make sure you have a couple of dollar bills; a driver might not be able to break a large bill. Most hotels, restaurants and shopping centers that use valets can provide you with change to tip a valet.
