Hard To Get Las Vegas Shows and Show Ticket Tips:
Buy well in advance, but remember: some tickets are not released more than
three months ahead. Keep checking back. For reserved seat shows (most Las Vegas shows),
the earlier you buy, the better the seats.
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AccessVegas.Com Las Vegas Tips: Tipping Guide |
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Las Vegas Tipping Questions
Las Vegas is a very tip-hungry town. But before you shell out piles of tips, thinking "oh, these poor workers," keep in mind that Las Vegas is a very unionized town. Most employees are paid very well.
That bartender? He probably started at over $12 and full benefits and that doesn't include tips. If he's been there 20 years, he's making quite a bit more. The hotel maid's union just got them a pay increase and a reduction in the number of rooms they have to clean each day.
Having said that, tips can certainly help improve the service and attention that you
get. If you stay at the same hotel here a couple times a year and the attendant,
bartender, waitress, or change person remembers your name and gives you that extra care
and attention, a few extra bucks are well deserved. But in general, tips are rewards to be
earned, not expected.
In-Depth Las Vegas Tipping Guide
- Shows - Many of the showrooms in town have gone to reserved seating,
but some still rely on maitre de seating. The better the tip, the better your seat will be.
Want a good seat? The tip should amount to 5-10% of each person's ticket (ticket total) rounded up to the
nearest bill ($10, $20). The tip should
be folded up in your hand and discretely handed to the maitre de.
For example, four of you are going to a $45 show and want to sit up front. 10% of $180 is $18. Round that up to a $20 (always round up to the nearest single bill), fold it up, and slip it to his hand as he is asking how many in the party. Unless it is almost show time and no front seats are left, you should get some very nice seats so do arrive 15-20 minutes early to get in line.
Consider tipping like this a form or extortion? Certainly no tip is required, and you will
still see the show. In fact, if the show isn't sold out you will probably still get pretty
good seats so save the tip for special occasions. You can also wait until you are shown to
your seats, then discretely tip and ask if that will help get you a better view.
- Slots - If you are sticking your
own bills in the machine, you don't owe anyone a thing if you hit. None of the casino
employees are rebating your losses. However, if the change person sells you coin, or is
reasonably quick when you have the change light on, do remember them with a little
something. They are among the lowest paid in the casino.
Note: Don't believe that they know what machine is "hot" or "due". If
they did, don't you think they would call their friends to come down and play it? Some
change people point out a "hot" machine thinking that if it does well for you,
you'll remember them with a tip.
- Table Games - We are always amused when someone says "The dealer
is killing me". Believe me, if that dealer knew what the next card was, they'd be at
Bellagio playing until they owned the place. It's not their fault if you don't leave the
table during a bad run of cards. They HAVE to stay at the table and deal. You don't. In
addition, people tip less when losing. You think most dealers like that?
Bottom Line - tip the dealers if they are friendly and helpful. If you are winning and having fun, place a bet equal to 5% of your average bet (minimum $1) for the dealer. If you have never made a bet "for the boys" before, just tell them you want to make a bet for them and ask where to place it.
Doing this a 2-3 times an hour is not out of line if the dealers are friendly and fun. With rare exception, the dealers are not union and they are living off of tips. If you have a good session and they made it fun, it's not out of line to give them a tip when you color up -- whatever you feel is appropriate.
Insider Secret: Most casinos make the dealers all pool their tips. Every dealer on a shift (or during a 24 hour period) has to split their tips. If you encounter a very unfriendly dealer and leave their table without tipping, don't be scared to tip the nice dealer at the next table. In fact, let peer pressure kick in.
When you tip the friendly, fun dealer say something like "I was just at Joe's table over there and I didn't tip him a dime because he is a jerk. Thanks for being fun and helpful." Don't let on that you know they pool the tips. After hearing enough people complain about "Joe", the other dealers will work to get him to shape up and everyone will have more fun!
- Cocktails - from the waitress: $1 a drink if you care how soon she gets
back around to you. I always get a kick out of people in the nickel areas complaining that
they have not seen a waitress. These same people act like they are doing her a favor to
give her 3 nickels. She has to do the same amount of walking regardless of whether she is
bringing a coffee to the nickel area or a top shelf drink to the higher limit areas.
Want better attention? Tip $2 a drink. They'll be back more often because they know you are taking care of them, they'll tell the bartender to make it a
"good" drink (sit in earshot of a waitress station sometimes and listen sometime). Why? They tip out the bartenders at the end of the night for helping them. So they have some pull over the bartenders.
Notes and exceptions: Cocktail waitresses are generally union and well paid with full benefits but for the above reasons, you really need to tip them anyway if you like to booze. A handful of more modest casinos limit what you can be served while you play (draft beer only, no bottles and similar). If you don't like their policy, play next door. The chairs in a casino don't have seatbelts on them!
Same if you are a man and it is important that your cocktail waitress be more of a "cocktail babe" than just a drink server. Most revealing outfits? The Venetian, Hard Rock, Mandalay Bay and The Orleans, Suncoast, and the like. (Photos coming soon).
- Restaurants - Tip like you would at home with this exception: Consider
if the meal is a casino loss leader. Tipping 75 cents (15%) on a $4.99 steak dinner is
crazy, especially when the meal would cost $10.00 or more anywhere else. Tip based on what
the meal would actually cost if it is a discount or free meal.
- Buffets - $1 per person (regardless of meal - they do the same amount
of work) for good service: Drinks served and refilled promptly, plates cleared quickly.
More if the server accommodates special requests. Less or nothing if the service was poor.
- Bars - 15% of the tab rounded up to the next dollar for decent service and drinks. If you are going to be staying there and boozing a bit, 20% rounded up as long as they are hand-pouring your drinks and making them "right".
The Exception: when you
buy a roll of quarters and get a free drink, give them a buck. If you are winning and drinking, might as well tip $1 for each free drink than be paying for them so keep tipping $1 a drink. Some casinos only give you one drink per roll or quarters you buy.
If the free drinks are important to you, leave a place like that and go play next door.
- Bellman, Pool Boys - $1 a bag to the bellman (more if they are helpful and answer
some questions -- remember, they know the hotel and the area better than most). $1 to the pool attendant for fetching you something. Bellman might also be quick to make arrangements for shows, rental cars, transportation, and more. Dirty little secret: They get a cut from the show, tour company, etc. If you want the best availability and prices, book online ahead of time.
Desk Clerk - The "$20 Rule" is always worth a try. Many Las Vegas hotels charge a premium for a Strip view. The desk staff also has some latitude on upgrading guests. Place a folded up $20 bill on the counter partially under your ID and/or credit card so that the denomination is visible. As you slide them across, ask for a room with a Strip View (or other upgrade).
If they can't accommodate you or insist on an extra charge you can simply retract the bill. If they accommodate you, a small price to pay to see one of the most famous views in the world out of your window.
Maids - $1-5 a day
to the maid (if they do a decent job). A maid's tip should be left in an envelope with the word "MAID" on it so as not to be confused with loose cash. We suggest tipping maids daily, as the maid who gave you great service might have her day off on the day you check out, and thus gets none of your gratuity.
If they fetch you extras or you are especially messy, that is the time to tip on the high end of the scale. Otherwise $1-2 is a nice show of appreciation.
Room Service - Yes, you are often getting screwed with those $12 hamburgers, but it is your choice to dine in your room. If the food arrives in a reasonable amount of time, is still hot (or properly chilled), and everything is in order the guy who brought it up should get the standard 15%.
Important Note: Check your bill. If a tip has already been added, you have no further obligation unless you feel the service is exceptional.
Washroom Attendants - Unless you are using their stuff, they are
pretty much holding you hostage (i.e. -- they take all the paper towels out of the
dispenser so you have to get a cloth towel from them). A quarter or two is enough to get
you over feeling guilty for stiffing them.
- Valet - Valet parking is free at virtually every Las Vegas hotel. If
you can't afford to give them $1 when you pick your car up, self park. These people run
hour after hour in all kinds of weather. In fact, $2-3 is not out of line if they fetch
your car in just a couple of minutes (although stiffing them isn't out of line if it takes
more than 10).
Want them to keep it close because you won't be long? Give them $2-5 when you
park, telling them you won't be long and tip them when you pick it up also --
you are paying for service and convenience). Is the "valet full" sign up? Drive
up anyway and hand them a $5 bill. You will be amazed at how they still have spaces
available just for you.
- Taxi Drivers - These guys can be the best or worst. Some really keep
their ear to the ground, talk to their customers, and are a great wealth of information.
They can tell you what shows their fares are touting, take you the shortest way, and help
you with your luggage. Others are bitter, unhelpful, and the only thing they'll recommend
to you is one of the strip joints that pay cab drivers $5-10 a head for everyone they get
in the door.
If you have no luggage, 10% is fine (rounded up to the nearest dollar), If they are good with your luggage, and genuinely friendly and helpful, a they didn't take you through the tunnel on the way from the airport without your permission* then 20% isn't out of line.
* The Strip and Downtown are north of the airport. The airport tunnel heads south from the airport. The cabbie is legally obligated to get your consent when talking the tunnel. If the cabbie takes the tunnel without asking, do NOT tip him. Simply take all of your change back and tell him he blew his tip by running up the fare through the tunnel.
- Shuttle Drivers - $1-2 if they handle your bags. Otherwise don't worry about it.
Additional Las Vegas FAQ's:
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