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“Am I missing something here?”: Man goes to his hotel room. Then he spots a QR code asking him for a tip

“If you can’t afford to tip housekeeping don’t stay at a hotel.”

Photo of Braden Bjella

Braden Bjella

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Across the United States, shoppers in all industries have noticed a rise in tip requests.

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This has been dubbed by experts as “tipflation,” and it’s a phenomenon that’s been observed for several years now. Customers are now being asked to tip for more services, and in higher amounts, than ever before.

For example, some shoppers have alleged that they were asked for a tip while at a self-checkout machine; another claimed that the standard tipping options for their haircut ranged from 50% to 90%.

Now, a hotel guest has the internet talking after saying that he was prompted for a tip in an unlikely place: his room.

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Why did this hotel ask for tips in guests’ rooms?

In a video with over 35,000 views, TikTok user @thetravelingteepsfam says that, while staying at a hotel, he observed something that he’s “never seen before.”

“In our room, they have QR codes to tip your housekeeping,” he starts. “And then, they have QR codes at, like, the breakfast buffet to tip…the people who are in the breakfast buffet.”

“Have you ever tipped these people for doing these things?” the TikToker asks. “Am I missing something here?”

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In the caption, the TikToker adds, “I always assumed that the hotel pays the hotel staff. Are we expected to tip them? if so how much?”

In an Instagram DM exchange with the Daily Dot, the TikToker said that he wasn’t aware of people tipping housekeeping.

“If someone wants to, why not, but I definitely don’t think it’s a common nor necessary practice,” he wrote. “I definitely don’t think people should use QR codes to do so…One person mentioned he had tipped using a QR code and was charged a 9.2% fee, which is insane. I also question how much is taken out to cover the hotel’s fee to use the service, and I always wonder what amount will make it to staff.”

He further speculated that, if enough tips came in, hotels could see it as an excuse to lower wages. He then shared his thoughts on tipping in general.

“We have traveled all over the world. For the most part, tipping is common in undeveloped countries and the United States. Most developed countries pay their employees a living wage. It’s a system that allows companies to exploit labor and increase profits,” he shared. “In the States, it evolved from emancipated slaves. People wouldn’t give them jobs but would allow them to perform free labor for tips. I tip if I sit and order and receive table service, otherwise I do not.”

Are you supposed to tip hotel workers?

Commenters were quick to claim that tipping cleaning staff at a hotel was standard practice, but the whole story is a bit more complicated.

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Although many may consider tipping one’s housekeeper to be normal, it’s actually relatively uncommon. A 2023 study from Bankrate found that only about a quarter of hotel guests tip housekeeping. 

That said, while it may be uncommon, it’s still appreciated. Southern Living suggests that one leaves $1 to $5 per night for a mid-range or business hotel, slightly more for a luxury hotel, and between $10 and $20 for a villa or rental with multiple rooms.

As far as buffet staff is concerned, internet users are divided, with some claiming that one should not have to and others saying that a few dollars is appreciated.

@thetravelingteepsfam I always assumed that the hotel pays the hotel staff. Are we expected to tip them? if so how much? #tips #tipping #travel #hotel ♬ original sound – the traveling teepsfam
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Commenters share their tipping thoughts

In the comments section, users were further divided about the necessity of tipping housekeeping staff and other hotel workers.

“If you can’t afford to tip housekeeping don’t stay at a hotel,” declared a commenter.

“Why am I paying the hotel hundreds of dollars for the room if I’m also expected to pay their staff to clean?” countered another.

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“To be clear. Tipping is for anything above and beyond normal service. End of discussion,” stated a third.

The Daily Dot reached out to @thetravelingteepsfam via Instagram direct message and email.


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