Tipping FA

[boomy]

Have you never done this? $50 in LAS in Sept got me a room upgrade for 5nts to a room worth $100 more than I booked and paid for.

I know this is common in the US, mainly because base salaries in hospitality are usually low and they rely on extra income to make ends meet.
This is not the situation in AU and I hope that bribing will not lead to any special benefits here.

 

[harvyk]

I'll never tip an FA, as far as I'm concerned all they are doing is their job which I have already paid for them to do...

Now that said, if I feel an FA has made a flight extra good, and has gone above and beyond I'll send in positive feedback to the airline, stating the FA's name, and the flight details.
From what I have heard that positive feedback comes up in employee evaluations, I know that if I was an FA, rather than perhaps an extra $5 or $10 (here, go buy yourself something nice, seems a little patronising), good feedback will help me out far more.

 

[PaulST]

I'll never tip an FA, as far as I'm concerned all they are doing is their job which I have already paid for them to do...

Now that said, if I feel an FA has made a flight extra good, and has gone above and beyond I'll send in positive feedback to the airline, stating the FA's name, and the flight details.
From what I have heard that positive feedback comes up in employee evaluations, I know that if I was an FA, rather than perhaps an extra $5 or $10 (here, go buy yourself something nice, seems a little patronising), good feedback will help me out far more.

Agreed. I've often emailed companies with both positive and negative feedback about specific employees.
I find tipping in general quite unpleasant. When I go to an Australian restaurant and the waiters are fantastic, I feel special and like a valued customer. When I go to a restaurant in a culture where tipping is expected, I feel like their friendliness and good service is simply because they want my money.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Was looking through news.com.au and saw this. One of the ten hacks recommend tipping FA!

10 airport hacks that will change how you fly | News.com.au

AFF members will read this and instantly recognise that the journalist who wrote this has not researched the topic very well if at all. Another example of "quality" journalism just to fill content space.

This article was posted on my Facebook group a couple of days ago. Someone on there unearthed this gem courtesy of Google translate I think, it had me in stitches
http://executivesnews.com/seven-travel-tricks-you-need-to-know

"avoid arrogant airfield various prices"

 

[drron]

Well I'll be sure to use a hunt engine to find a lounge that will serve me a full prohibited meal.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'll never tip an FA, as far as I'm concerned all they are doing is their job which I have already paid for them to do...

While they are 'doing their job' I look at it slightly differently.

This is a safety orientated business, and tipping on the basis of safety is not appropriate. (Ok, maybe I have thought of one example... if the fire brigade or SES came to save your house you might give them some money go and have a beer!)

 

[Sprucegoose]

Some airlines like Emirates check staff belongings to ensure nothing was taken off the plane during the flight.
While I don't know how this would play out with a Tip it would have to make the FA uncomfortable about their job.

Chocolates are a nice idea but unless you're in the highest cabin possible, or you're staff - it comes across like you're trying to bribe them.

Emirates do more than that. Strictly no visitors to the single quarters. It's like a religion

 

[ckck]

I believe random acts of kindness are never misplaced. I don't drink when I fly so the one time I was offered wine from J I refused it. I have never been given an op-up or any other preferential treatment. What will generally happen is that the FA's will come down to my seat and thank me for the chocolates and on two different occasions on opening the chocolates they offered me one. Other than that I pretty much keep to myself, I read my book/iPad, listen to music so generally speaking I am not the most demanding passenger.

The way I see it FA's are stuck in a tin can with a large group of people, including the DYKWIA types. It's nice to be appreciated especially in a job where people treat you like cough.

If a small box of chocolates can lift the spirits of the crew then I am all for it. I do hope they enjoy the chocolates they are going to receive this coming weekend.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I believe random acts of kindness are never misplaced. I don't drink when I fly so the one time I was offered wine from J I refused it. I have never been given an op-up or any other preferential treatment. What will generally happen is that the FA's will come down to my seat and thank me for the chocolates and on two different occasions on opening the chocolates they offered me one. Other than that I pretty much keep to myself, I read my book/iPad, listen to music so generally speaking I am not the most demanding passenger.

The way I see it FA's are stuck in a tin can with a large group of people, including the DYKWIA types. It's nice to be appreciated especially in a job where people treat you like cough.

If a small box of chocolates can lift the spirits of the crew then I am all for it. I do hope they enjoy the chocolates they are going to receive this coming weekend.

Any service industry is going to have difficult customers. Unfortunately it's just part of the job.

But while they may be stuck in a tin can, they're heading to some of the most glamorous and exciting cities in the world (Paris, new York, Tokyo, London) and staying in 5 star accommodation, all expenses paid. They don't have to queue for immigration, or security, or for their bags to come off the carousel. And they don't have to worry about rip-off taxis, or which train to catch to their hotel.

They duty free shop, eat well, stock up on clothes in the USA and cheap DVDs in Asia, and catch up with friends for lunches and dinners at overseas ports.

I think CC have the last laugh when it comes to 'who wins' against the DYKWIA crowd!

 

[JohnK]

The article suggest tipping the FA may lead to a better service. This is clearly not a tip but a bribe. What's next? Slipping the lounge angel $20 for an op-up or maybe $50 to the hotel receptionist for a suite upgrade?

You would be surprised the lengths some people will take to get what they want.

But while they may be stuck in a tin can, they're heading to some of the most glamorous and exciting cities in the world (Paris, new York, Tokyo, London) and staying in 5 star accommodation, all expenses paid. They don't have to queue for immigration, or security, or for their bags to come off the carousel. And they don't have to worry about rip-off taxis, or which train to catch to their hotel.

What a glamorous life style.

But I think they still have to wait for their bags to come off the carousel.

 

[get me outta here]

I have read that tipping check in staff does often result in a much better room, except in places like Japan.

The article suggest tipping the FA may lead to a better service. This is clearly not a tip but a bribe. What's next? Slipping the lounge angel $20 for an op-up or maybe $50 to the hotel receptionist for a suite upgrade?

 

[blackcat20]

The article suggest tipping the FA may lead to a better service. This is clearly not a tip but a bribe. What's next? Slipping the lounge angel $20 for an op-up or maybe $50 to the hotel receptionist for a suite upgrade?

'Tips' for hotel upgrades are incredibly common in Las Vegas....

 

[TomVexille]

Chocolates are a nice idea but unless you're in the highest cabin possible, or you're staff - it comes across like you're trying to bribe them.

So while I'm not staff, I have done a fair amount of staff travel so it's okay

 

[Cruiser Elite]

'Tips' for hotel upgrades are incredibly common in Las Vegas....

Not only Vegas - worth trying all over US. Have had luck also in London, Vanatu, Bali etc just to name a few. Just wish I had wised up to it years ago.

Funny responses in China - 'Oh Mr Elite - you left some money in your Passport' - 'D'Oh' - and have received this very response several times.

Long story but we ended up in Vanuatu for a week with no accom booked - we decided on Le Lagon as it looked best to us - ZERO rooms available - $100 bucks to Manager and we had the keys to one of the largest rooms in resort in no time - money makes the world go round my friends!

 

[farstar]

Long story but we ended up in Vanuatu for a week with no accom booked - we decided on Le Lagon as it looked best to us - ZERO rooms available - $100 bucks to Manager and we had the keys to one of the largest rooms in resort in no time - money makes the world go round my friends!

It would have been interesting to be there if the hotel was fully booked and the guess who booked the room you took arrived, "sorry Sir no rooms, please go somewhere else".

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It would have been interesting to be there if the hotel was fully booked and the guess who booked the room you took arrived, "sorry Sir no rooms, please go somewhere else".

If that happened

 

[boomy]

I regard tipping as a form of gratitude for good service. Something that is given without expecting to receive anything in return. Paying cash up-front in order to get special benefits is more like a bribe.
Let's say the hotel has one last suite left available and two people are about to check in. One holds top tier status with the chain and the other has no status but is a great "tipper". To whom will the receptionist be more motivated to give the last suite? But why stop there, next time when a police officer stops to give you speeding ticket or alcohol test just slip a note into their pocket to make it go away. If they act surprised just tell them it's a common practice in some countries. Also, next time you want to win that important contract make sure to slip an envelope under the door of the local councilman, that's the way business is done in many countries, so it must be ok then.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I regard tipping as a form of gratitude for good service. Something that is given without expecting to receive anything in return. Paying cash up-front in order to get special benefits is more like a bribe.
Let's say the hotel has one last suite left available and two people are about to check in. One holds top tier status with the chain and the other has no status but is a great "tipper". To whom will the receptionist be more motivated to give the last suite? But why stop there, next time when a police officer stops to give you speeding ticket or alcohol test just slip a note into their pocket to make it go away. If they act surprised just tell them it's a common practice in some countries. Also, next time you want to win that important contract make sure to slip an envelope under the door of the local councilman, that's the way business is done in many countries, so it must be ok then.

Well I guess it all depends on ones interpretations huh - currently have an estate agent in Tassie trying to buy us a site - if he gets it under $xx_,xx_ he gets an earn - if not - no earn. Bribe? You might think so - commercial inducement from my end. YES have given a cop in Bali R100,000 to let us go when he stopped us for doing nothing - that is life there - would I try that on here - I think not.

 

[boomy]

currently have an estate agent in Tassie trying to buy us a site - if he gets it under $xx_,xx_ he gets an earn - if not - no earn. Bribe? You might think so - commercial inducement from my end

It doesn't sound like a bribe to me.
If you would offer the site owner extra money in secret to tip the scales in your favour that would count as a bribe.

YES have given a cop in Bali R100,000 to let us go when he stopped us for doing nothing - that is life there - would I try that on here - I think not.

Is it relevant if you did something wrong or not? What if you were stopped for a legitimate reason, would you agree to pay the fine or still try to bribe that cop?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It doesn't sound like a bribe to me.
If you would offer the site owner extra money in secret to tip the scales in your favour that would count as a bribe.?

YES but agent is being paid by Vendor therefore most would think he should be working totally in Vendor's favour. Just ask the thoughts of AFF members - if you guys were selling your house and a prospective purchaser cornered the agent and said 'Hey bucko - get this deal over line at less than X and I will flick you an earn' - I guarantee you 100% of people reading this will say NO WAY - I am paying the commission - agent is working to MAXIMISE my sales price.

Is it relevant if you did something wrong or not? What if you were stopped for a legitimate reason, would you agree to pay the fine or still try to bribe that cop?

Getting way OT but certainly enjoying the convo - have never given that scenario a thought as IMHO it's never going to arise - local LE just want some cash where tourists are involved.