"DOES IT SEEM nearly every service provider has a hand out? Doling out dollars is common when traveling. But knowing how much and when to tip can save money and avoid embarrassment.

Customs vary from country to country, city to city. Many cruise ships have a no-tipping policy. And Las Vegas--which many consider a foreign country--follows a high-roller tipping code of its own. In the end, the proper reward for service is up to your judgment.

Joel Widzer, author of The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel, doesn't view tipping as a requirement. It's an investment. 'Subtly let hotel staff know if they take care of you, you'll take care of them,' he says. One tactic: Pull a few $20s from your pocket. Before offering a tip, ask the bellman if it's possible to get a nicer room. The philosophy? Reward and perpetuate future good service.

Widzer also says it's perfectly acceptable not to include a tip if service is bad. He suggests writing a note on the bill, or telling the manager why you left no tip. The same goes for good service. 'A note or letter is more effective than money,' he says, especially if it's positive. In a recent survey, more than 80 percent in the service industry said they'd prefer a positive letter over spare change.

from San Diego Magazine
March 2005