How Much Do You Tip the Car Valet? A CarTips Guide

Valet parking is a convenient service offered by many hotels, restaurants, and event centers. While it’s customary to tip the valet who parks your car, figuring out the appropriate amount can be tricky. How much should you tip for valet parking? Is it the same everywhere? This comprehensive guide from CarTips will answer all your questions about tipping car valets, ensuring you navigate this tipping etiquette with confidence.

Factors Influencing Valet Tipping

Several factors can influence how much you tip a car valet. Keep these in mind when deciding on a tip:

Location: Valet fees and tipping customs can vary based on location. Big cities and upscale establishments typically warrant higher tips compared to smaller towns.
Weather conditions: If it’s pouring rain, freezing cold, or extremely hot, a slightly larger tip is a thoughtful gesture to acknowledge the valet working in uncomfortable conditions.
Special requests: If you have any specific requests, like retrieving a forgotten item from your car or need your car parked in a specific spot (if possible), a larger tip is appropriate.
Quality of service: Did the valet greet you with a smile and offer helpful directions? Was your car returned promptly and in good condition? Exceptional service deserves a larger tip.

How Much to Tip Valets: A General Guideline

While tipping is always at your discretion, here’s a general guideline for tipping car valets in the United States:

Standard Tip: $2-$5 is a reasonable tip for standard valet service.
Exceptional Service: For outstanding service, consider tipping $10 or more, especially if the valet went above and beyond.
Low-Cost Valet: If the valet service has a very low fee (e.g., $2 or $3), a tip of $2-$3 is still appropriate.
Free Valet Parking: Even if the valet parking is complimentary, it’s still courteous to tip the valet. A tip of $2-$5 is recommended.

Common Valet Tipping Scenarios

Let’s break down some common scenarios and the suggested tip amount:

How Much to Tip a Hotel Car Valet?

For hotel valet parking, a tip of $5-$10 upon arrival and another $5-$10 upon retrieving your car is a safe bet. This acknowledges the valet who parks your car and the one who retrieves it, especially if it’s a large hotel with multiple valets.

How Much to Tip a Car Valet at a Restaurant?

A $2-$5 tip is customary when dining at a restaurant with valet parking. You can tip when you hand your keys to the valet or when you pick up your car.

How Much Do You Tip Car Valets for Getting Your Car?

While it’s perfectly acceptable to tip the valet when you drop off your car, tipping when they retrieve your car is often preferred. This allows you to factor in the quality of service and any special requests you might have.

Tipping Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts

Do:
- Have your tip ready in cash.
- Be discreet when tipping.
- Tip in U.S. dollars, even if you’re visiting from another country.
- Be polite and courteous to the valet.
Don’t:
- Don’t feel obligated to tip if the service was truly terrible.
- Don’t offer the valet your parking ticket as a tip.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tipping Car Valets

Do you tip a car valet every time?

Yes, it’s customary to tip a car valet each time they park your car for you.

Can I tip the valet with my credit card?

While some valet services may have the option to add a tip to your credit card payment, it’s always best to tip in cash directly to the valet.

What if I don’t have any cash to tip the valet?

If you find yourself without cash, you can always ask the establishment if they can add the tip to your bill. Alternatively, you can use a mobile payment app to send a tip if the valet provides their information.

Do I have to tip if the valet service is included in a membership or event fee?

Even if valet parking is included in a fee, it’s still considered good etiquette to tip the valet for their service.

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