Should you leave a tip in government lodging while on orders?

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:20:40 -0400

Curious as to people's opinion. I'm on orders right now, and while I never have tipped at government quarters before, it occurred to me that the housekeeping staff here is probably as poorly paid as civilian motels.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 4:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:23:48 -0400

Sir,
I've never given a thought, but in hindsight I should have. I'll be sure to tip next time I'm TDY.

Response by LTC John Wilson made May 28 at 2015 4:45 PM

LTC John Wilson — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:45:23 -0400

I've not really thought about it, but the JTR allows for tips to hotel employees as an incidental under Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE). Military lodging is increasingly managed by private companies who hire private employees. If they've provided exceptional service, then they should receive a reward congruent with the JTR concerning tips under M&IE (whether one choses to claim it or not).

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 4:55 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:55:26 -0400

I tip house keeping wether on military orders or just for R&R. To me it is just like a barber and I tip them they are providing a service and the better the service the better the tip. When I PCS'd to HI back in the 2003 I was at the guest lodge for 78 days before getting housing and tipping them proved to pay off. I never had dirty towel and always plenty of clean, my trash was taken by them twice a day instead of once, they always left extra coffee for me, and at the end of everyday they would knock on my door to ensure that I didn't need anything before they left for the day. The extra service that they did was well worth the $35 tip a week I would give them. My family appreciated it also.

Response by PO3 Wade Linschied made May 28 at 2015 5:58 PM

PO3 Wade Linschied — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:58:40 -0400

Sir,
I would say a few dollars may help make a GS-03 happy.

Response by SGT James Hastings made May 28 at 2015 6:37 PM

SGT James Hastings — Thu, 28 May 2015 18:37:13 -0400

I'm sure they need tips.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 7:48 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:48:39 -0400

It seems appropriate to me especially now that military lodhing is run as hotels. The Army lodging is run by a private hotel corporation.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 28 at 2015 8:15 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:15:11 -0400

Yes.

"If" they are cleaning up after you, a Gratuity (tip) is a courtesy worth extending. Especially on longer stays.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 5:07 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:07:59 -0400

Yes. It is civilians that keep the rooms nice.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 10 at 2015 5:10 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:10:49 -0400

Should? Nothing should be compulsory especially a tip. Would? Yes, I do.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 11 at 2015 2:53 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 02:53:23 -0400

CDR Private RallyPoint Member, that's actually a good question Sir. I never left a tip when I was on orders and staying in government quarters, be it per diem barracks when I was single or the Navy Lodge or Army Inn after I got married. I would have to say yes, tip the staff.

Response by PO1 Shahida Marmol made Jul 11 at 2015 4:08 AM

PO1 Shahida Marmol — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 04:08:51 -0400

I didn't know I was supposed to....OOPS

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 4:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 04:54:14 -0400

If you were on business travel working for IBM, GE, Apple, would you tip the hotel staff? I think you have your answer.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 4:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 04:54:44 -0400

If you were on business travel working for IBM, GE, Apple, would you tip the hotel staff? I think you have your answer. - sorry, accidental duplicate.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 5:36 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 05:36:29 -0400

Tips should never be compulsory, but could be considered for exceptional service.