Tipping etiquette varies by country, culture and situation and it is a gesture that shows appreciation for the quality of service that you received. When travelling with Costsaver we have pre-paid certain tips and gratuities for you. Baggage handling at hotels, service charges and tips for hotel wait staff (for included meals) will be taken care of by your Travel Director. There are however a few instances where individual tipping is welcome. In general, if you’re unsure about tipping, don’t go any higher than 10% (unless of course that the service was so fantastic you feel you want to do so). Servers may not receive tips when left on a credit card, so always try to tip in cash whenever possible. Hotel Services It is customary to tip hotel staff for room service delivery if the charge has not already been added to the bill. Where ice machines are not available and you receive ice from the bar, a small tip to the bartender is always appreciated. Local Specialists It is customary to show appreciation for the insights, stories and know-how shared with you by the Local Specialists. Eating and Drinking Tips and gratuities will be taken care of by your Travel Director for all meals included in your itinerary. When you are exploring on your own, it's helpful to know regional norms around tipping.
In North America, it is customary to tip for a variety of services. A restaurant is usually tipped 15-20% of the total bill before tax. Other services, from taxi drivers to hairdressers, normally receive 10%. Your Travel Director can also answer any questions you may have regarding when and how much to tip.
In Europe, there is no obligation to leave a tip, but between 5% and 10% is normal in most European restaurants. Make sure to check that a service charge hasn’t already been added on as this is becoming more common. Also, bear in mind that tipping is only necessary at a table service restaurant. When eating out at a pub or fast food outlet where you order your food from a counter, tipping isn’t necessary or expected.