Do you need to tip servers in airport lounges?
Reader Questions are answered twice a week by TPG Senior Points & Miles Contributor Ethan Steinberg.
The proliferation of Priority Pass memberships among premium credit cards have given more and more travelers access to airport lounges. However, in our quest to get as much luxury travel as possible for "free," it can be easy to overlook social norms and forget that the people serving us are still working for a living. TPG reader Avi wants to know if he needs to tip the servers in a lounge restaurant ...
[pullquote source="TPG READER AVI"]Do you have to tip the servers at the Polaris lounge restaurant?[/pullquote]
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While Avi asked specifically about United Polaris lounges, the same guidelines apply at other lounges including Amex Centurion lounges and regular Priority Pass lounges. Remember that you're never under any obligation to tip, and tipping culture varies heavily by country so make sure to do your research before you travel. It's also important to note that some employees are not allowed to accept tips, so if you try to offer one and they politely refuse, take the hint. In that case, you can always ask them if they have a comment card or a customer service email/survey that you can use to acknowledge excellent service and get them the recognition they deserve.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Priority Pass program
One of the reasons that tipping culture is so entrenched in the U.S. is that servers are paid lower wages with the expectation that tips will supplement their income. When you're dealing with a dining area inside an airline lounge though it's different. The person serving you today might be working a different job within the lounge tomorrow, and their employment contract isn't based off the assumption that they'll be receiving tips. In this case you're welcome to tip if you receive truly exceptional service, but in most cases it isn't necessary.
The next situation is bars inside an airport lounge. While some lounges have self-serve drink stations, others have full scale bar setups with a dedicated bartender. Here you can easily take a cue from other travelers around you and see if they're leaving tips, or if there's a tip jar anywhere. It's harder to tip discreetly since there isn't a bill for you to sign, but if you spend a decent amount of time at the bar chatting with the bartender, work your way through a couple of drinks or ask for any creative (read: difficult) drink orders, you might consider leaving a small tip.
The one scenario where you should strongly consider tipping is if you're dining at one of the many restaurants that participate in the Priority Pass program. Most Priority Pass Select members should be able to receive a dining credit at these restaurants in lieu of lounge access, though if your Priority Pass membership was issued by American Express you won't be able to.
Even though you may be enjoying a free meal at these restaurants courtesy of your Priority Pass membership, like Bobby Van's Steakhouse in Terminal 8 at New York-JFK or American Tap Room in the C terminal as Washington National (DCA), you should absolutely still tip your servers the same amount you normally would when dining out.
Note that Priority Pass doesn't let you use your dining credit towards gratuity; that will have to come out of your own pocket. Still, leaving a ~$5 tip (or about 18%) on a "free" $28 meal is still a good deal.
This point is especially important, because Priority Pass has completely changed the dining demographics at many of these restaurants. The last time I was passing through JFK, I was surprised to see Bobby Van's so packed at around 9 a.m. (seriously, who wants steak that early?). During the course of my meal I noticed that at least 90% of the guests in the restaurant were paying with a Priority Pass card. If enough customers do that and then stiff their servers when it comes to a tip, restaurants might reconsider participating in Priority Pass, which negatively affects us all.
Related: The ultimate guide to tipping while traveling
Bottom line
There's no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to tipping in an airport lounge. You'll need to be cognizant of local culture and company policies that might make a tip seem out of place (or prevent employees from accepting them), but other than that it's really up to you to decide if and when you want to recognize excellent service with a tip.
Whether or not you choose to tip, a comment card or a positive review in a customer-experience survey that mentions your servers by name is another great way to give credit where it's due. The only exception to this is Priority Pass restaurants. Even though they're "free" to us, the servers don't care if you pay with cash, credit or a Priority Pass card. Many of them depend on tips to supplement their income, and here you should tip the same as you would if you were dining out on your own dime.
Thanks for the question, Avi, and if you’re a TPG reader who’d like us to answer a question of your own, tweet us at @thepointsguy, message us on Facebook or email us at info@thepointsguy.com.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.