Should you tip for drinks, meals in airport lounges?
$1, $10, $20 or nothing at all? Tipping at airport lounges is not a straightforward subject...
By David Flynn, August 12 2024
Tipping etiquette is a complex and often controversial subject, especially when traveling, and it becomes even more nuanced in airport lounges.
While tipping is a standard practice in the United States, it’s not the only country where gratuities are customary (to the annoyance of visitors who hail from a tip-free culture where employers pay their staff a proper living wage).
Taxi cabs and Uber drivers – waiters at restaurants, baristas and mixologists at cafes and bars – hotel concierges and bellhops – it can seem that almost everyone expects a tip.
To wrap some context around tipping in the US, Federal regulations allow wages to be pegged as low as US$2.13 per hour on the assumption the worker receive at least US$30 per month in tips.
However, many service staff employed at airport lounges – including the Qantas LAX lounges and United’s Polaris lounges – are paid well above those rates, at US$16+ per hour, with those jobs explicitly listed as being “non-tipped”.
To tip, or not to tip? Travellers often find tipping at airport lounges a confusing topic.
Tipping in airport lounges is never expected
First up, tipping is never expected in any airport lounge anywhere in the world.
That doesn’t mean that tipping isn’t commonplace – it’s most often seen in US airport lounges, and those tips are certainly appreciated by lounge staff.
But you should never feel obliged to peel a note or two from your wallet. In other words: tip because you want to, not because you feel you have to.
Tipping for drinks at an airport lounge’s bar
Most high-quality airline lounges – especially business class and first class lounges – have bars where bartenders or ‘mixologists’ will serve you anything from a glass of beer, wine or spirits to a fancy cocktail, all complimentary.
A $1 bill is the standard gratuity for complimentary drinks in most US airport lounges.
In US lounges, it’s generally the done thing to pop a $1 bill into a tip jar that’s strategically placed on the bar counter each time you order that complimentary drink, although some people will drop in a $5 bill in advance to cover several rounds of drinks.
In some lounges, such as Delta Air Lines’ new family of Delta One havens, there’s even a separate ‘premium’ menu of top-shelf drinks.
Should you pay a ‘premium’ tip to match? While some people suggest tipping the same 15-20% of the bill as they might at a bar or restaurant outside the airport, I recommend sticking with the $1 tip as a generally accepted standard at airport lounge bars.
Tipping for meals at an airport lounge’s dining room
À la carte dining is becoming increasing popular at upmarket airport lounges, in many cases delivering restaurant-grade food, drinks, and service.
In the US this includes American Airlines’ Flagship Dining, Delta’s Delta One lounges, United Airlines’ Polaris Lounges and others such as the Qantas First Lounge at LAX.
The best airline lounges are now delivering a restaurant-style dining experience.
Again, let’s stress that tipping is not expected at these dining rooms.
Of course, Americans and others who are have become accustomed to a tipping culture will usually put $10 or even $20 down, or hand it straight to the waiter, either when they first sit down or when they leave.
That amount is often calculated to be 15%-20% against what their meals and drinks would cost at a conventional restaurant.
By all means, tip if the service you receive is outstanding – but you should never feel you have to tip in the first place.
What’s your approach to tipping in airport lounges? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Mar 2013
Total posts 171
Jeez, David, you've poked the bear with this subject!
I'm possibly the odd one out, but having lived in the US and been back and forth 3-4 times a year over the last 20 years, I've come to recognise (not agree, but recognise) the US way of life. Yes, I do tip but more importantly, I do thank people and the service I recieve as a result (LAX QF First lounge as an example on the International side an LAX AA Flagship Lounge on the Domestic side), is noticeable.
Cheers
26 Sep 2023
Total posts 27
Yep, when this popped up on the forum it ventilated a lot of spleens. Australians often seem to take it as a personal affront that they have to tip in the USA, which is why we have a bad reputation as shoddy tippers. It's a very Australian mindset unfortunately to think that by making some sort of point and not tipping a service worker we are flying the flag for minimum wage reform, as if the person losing the vital income is personally responsible for it. I would much rather have our higher costs and decent wages than the US system, but not tipping a waiter isn't going to change that when I'm over there.
23 Sep 2023
Total posts 14
It never occurred to me to tip when I was in the LAX QF First lounge, but I was more than happy to tip generously in the US in general. Even had a couple of people tell me I didn't need to tip them when I offered.
09 Feb 2021
Total posts 14
In Australia, tippingin lounges isn't and shouldn't be a controversial subject. It should never be done, ever.
We don't need to start importing American tipping culture.
15 Jun 2024
Total posts 4
The US tipping culture has infiltrated New Zealand heavily as well and this next step around lounges it just gets worse, do what the locals do in the US its not wanted else where.. It's nearly as irritating as the pronunciation of tomato or oregano.
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 73
Maybe we should start to tip pilots and flight attendants too
/s
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1547
Americans have many strange habits and it does not seems to me that we have adopt all of them or perhaps even any of them. As to tipping in airport it ridiculous from the beginning because well so often when I came to lounge I have nothing in my wallet except of credit cards.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
24 Aug 2018
Total posts 112
Some years ago, spouse and I flew to the US on an United b 747 on the upper deck and was astounded when an American pair of fellow flyers gave the FA ( male) a $ 50 US note and asked to be well looked after. If they obtained any better treatment than us, it would have been a miracle as the service was abysmal.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 731
Experienced it for myself about 12 years ago in F-class. At the time, United had a Union-dominated workforce, ' promotion' to serve in Business or First was based upon years of service, not merit. I hope it has changed - for the better - since then?
14 Aug 2024
Total posts 1
Definitely tip if the country has tipping culture & even moreso in countries where living standard is low. If we're business travellers we can afford $50 worth of tips for a trip. That said can we have an article about the US hospitality culture of constantly asking if everything's okay - also because they rely on tips - which can be hugely interrupting. In some places i've experienced servers needing to ask if all is good three times before the meal has been served: and once with a hotel PR who explained they are required to do so. I like to eat in peace.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 30
They will be getting zero in anywhere to do with an airport lounge even if travelling for business.
My company will not reimburse for ANY tips, which can leave someone travelling to the US substantially out of pocket unless they have a receipt.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2018
Total posts 47
A few years ago, it became all the rage in liberal states to dispense with tipping and pay workers what we like to call a "living wage". In many instances, it was well north of USD30 per hour, a VERY good wage. They even had signs on the doors and on the "checks" saying that no tip was required. They all thought it would be a win/win.
It lasted just a few months before the waitstaff/bartenders etc resigned and moved back to tipping because, at USD30+ per hour, they complained that they were taking home as little as half their normal income. Plus, much was cash...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Aug 2024
Total posts 1
As well the staff were being taxed on the increased wages. Not so much the tips!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2017
Total posts 74
NO, just NO
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 211
I’ve lived in the US for 10 years. It amazes me now how aggrieved Australians get about tipping here, bottom line it’s just a different way for people to get paid.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1026
Tipping is a BRIBE.
The US didn't used to tip. Workers used to get paid a reasonable amount. Then the great depression happened and restaurant owners worked out they could pay their staff less if they could make the customers give them tips. The insanity started from there.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 52
Did you read some of the previous posts? They stated that states that paid their staff a reasonable wage and removed tips as a compulsory measure, were forced by the staff to go back to tipping because they made more money and paid less tax. Think about it.. in a good restaurant, they would get a minimum of $50 per table, times by how many tables they could do in one night( possibly 5-10) . We once had a short flight in Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon that we paid quite a bit for, only for the pilot to ask for tips as we exited. Where does it end? How much does one give the checkout person at a supermarket? 10% of the value? Maybe 2% ? They need the money too. Yes?
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 211
If you think the checkout person at a market (not ‘super’market in the US) is asking for a tip you clearly don’t understand how the practice works here.
14 Sep 2022
Total posts 1
Tipping in the States is simply a wage subsidy; so just call it that and maybe people would not be so aggrieved to do so.
01 Mar 2023
Total posts 3
Here's the thing: if you don't want to tip in a lounge, even if the local custom suggests it, then don't. No one is going to yell at you or make you feel bad.
But do have a think about what that says about you.
Tipping is not just a cultural thing in the United States - tips are expected in Canada, Mexico, and throughout South America. They are appreciated or added as service charges in Europe. They are increasingly encouraged in Australia (notice those tip jars in food courts all over Sydney and Melbourne). The only place where tips aren't a thing are in Asia.
I don't like tipping. But then again, I don't like corporate greed or climate change. I do what I can to be a good person, and fair and decent. I try to accept local customs, even if I don't understand them.
I suggest, as international travelers, we all do what we can to make the world a little less angry, and a little more harmonious.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 55
Well said.
05 Dec 2017
Total posts 15
My VERY American employer explicitly forbids us from tipping while travelling. Frankly, if that's their policy then that becomes my default.
And I notice Americans happily ignore local customs and export their tipping culture. In developing countries in particular, it reinforces bribery and corruption that crowds out locals (eg tipping security at airports to usher them through).
So, tipping in airport lounges? No. No I won't.
QantasFF
16 Nov 2012
Total posts 59
Once in the American lounge at JFK, I found I had a small fortune in subway tokens, so the barman agreed to be tipped in them.
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 24
I hate the way they all expect tips, so I have decided I am never traveling to the US again. Drastic yes, but had enough
18 May 2022
Total posts 3
Tipping in airport lounges ??
Absolutely not !!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Aug 2014
Total posts 13
Tipping is their system and that is ok and should be factored into any estimate of holiday costs. What is bemusing is the tipping inflation. It used to be 15% then 18% then 20% and recently in LA the suggested tip was 20/22/25%. As restaurant and bar prices have kept up with inflation I don't see why the tip % needs to increase. 15% of a $200 meal was $30 - that meal is probably now $300 and they would get $45. But at 25% in LA you are paying $75!
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 466
Yes, and it's insane that they expect 20% as the minimum, for average service or even poor service!
01 Mar 2023
Total posts 3
If you receive poor service, don't tip. If they ask you why you didn't tip, you tell them.
14 Oct 2016
Total posts 109
I'd be tempted to tip zero as the minimum tipped wage in California is $16.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 52
That’s why my wife and I just used to buy takeaway in the US and run for our lives because they still expected a tip. No real service, just an expectation of money for handing you a bag of food.
17 Nov 2023
Total posts 37
You won't find me tipping in the U.S., unless the service is exceptional (and that doesn't mean the waiter sucking up to me!).
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 466
I have no problems with a $1 note for a free drink at the bar, I'm not a big drinker so spending a few dollars won't kill me even when they are US$. But no way would I drop $20 at a lounge's dining room.
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 412
Not covered in here but worth mentioning are showers and spas treatments. Should you tip the shower attendant and the person giving you a spa treatment? I'd like to think they are also paid proper wages but maybe the lounge operators think they can get away with paying them a lot less because of the tipping culture. Never had a spa treatment in any US lounge, only Qantas First Sydney, Cathay The Pier First and BA's LHR T5 Arrivals lounge, so tipping not a thing at any of those. When I have showers at a US airport lounge I really don't know if I should be giving them a tip like I do for housekeeping in a US hotel.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Mar 2024
Total posts 1
Time for a US tipping joke
What's the difference between an Australian and a canoe? A canoe tips...
I travel approx. 6 times a year to US and have done so for 25 years. Much as it was hard initially to tip (originally 10%) I got used to it. Not particularly happy now with the 20% expectation however is what it is. I will tip elsewhere for exceptional service at 10%; in some countries a tip is an insult eg (from memory) Japan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 55
yeah, not just in Japan. I have experienced in Indonesia whereby I think the service staff was insulted because I tipped (though it is pretty common to do so in Indonesia). Can be a bit tricky sometimes!
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 211
So everyone just be aware that in the US many people in service roles see Aussies as 'cheap', one reason being a reluctance to pay the going rate for things. I'm not being judgmental, just passing on an observation over the years.
In the US they show prices ex. sales tax, they tip as a matter of course, and yes the hotels and rental car companies are notorious for additional charges. But have you looked at a rental car invoice in Australia recently? Same deal. And have you tried to return items at an Australian store? Yikes - it's like the inquisition but here in the US no questions asked. They'll often even pay for return shipping.
Bottom line it's how the economy here works, there are swings and roundabouts. In the end if you don't like it stay away.
13 Dec 2019
Total posts 15
The issue I see is: how to tip?
In a restaurant or bar you’re paying a bill with your card, and can easily add on a tip.
The fact is most people today don’t carry cash and so tipping at venues like this where you’re not paying for a service with a card makes it hard to tip.
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