Hidden charges on USA holiday.

[Suenliam]

I never really saw the attaction of the USA even more so now. I tip if the service warrents it but don't feel embarassed if asked and I decline. I much prefer to leave a tip on the table at restaurants rather than add it to the card payment. I would hate to live in a culture that expected tips to make up wages. We got rid of that a few years ago.
Even more reason to stick to MH hols here and in Europe
Sue

 

[Tombola]

as a bare minimum in the USA...if your meal was the worst of the worst, you are generally still "expected" to tip10%

whereas here, we just don't tip if it was crap

 

[starquake]

We have felt more ripped off as the years go buy, but have sold up now anyway so havent been for 12 months or so.

The only one that seemed to keep value of the chains, was Cracker Barrell, and even that has shot up the same % rates.

I have never been averse to tipping and always tip well espcially if its deserved, but its gotten silly now

Cracker Barrell ; Chuys (Mexican chain) and Texas Roadhouses still offer a decent value proposition for the dollars paid.
(others exist). Olive Garden as a chain isn't bad, but it's microwave ding food, where Cracker Barrel, Chuys, and Texas seem to cook fresh.

Last year Chuys we got 4 adults and 2 kids fed with 8 alcoholic cocktails (mostly frozen margahitas which they are famous for - for the Adults obviously) for around $80 USD. Even adding the 15% tip to that we didn't feel ripped off.

I'm actually in process of renting our 2025 points out on our timeshare, as we're unlikely to go in the Sept 2025-26 window we have availability for.

And for cheap eats with coupons you still can get Cici's pizza on 192 for under $8 a head, which is quite mad (Pizza buffet place).

When we last had a BBQ at a Villa with family on same trip it cost around 3x the cost of eating out, just for the meat.

 

[starquake]

I never really saw the attaction of the USA even more so now. I tip if the service warrents it but don't feel embarassed if asked and I decline. I much prefer to leave a tip on the table at restaurants rather than add it to the card payment. I would hate to live in a culture that expected tips to make up wages. We got rid of that a few years ago.

It's worse than that it's not just expected, they are taxed as if they get it, even if they don't. People that don't tip in effect mean the server is paying the government to serve you.

And I agree it's totally wrong, but until it's changed -> it's how it is, and if you fail to tip, you'll literally be chased out of restuaurants and/or have police called on you in extreme situations. Tipping 10% is how to offend a server, tipping 0 is likely to get you possibly with police being called.

I actually agree with hating it, but the service levels in US usually justify the tip. We have had some miserable servers, but usually only once or twice. The positive is the nice resturants usually have same staff over years of returning to places (even chains) and they actually can remember their customers.

My parents (now 73) thought they'd hate the US, but loved it on their visit despite thinking they'd hate it -> and holding similar views on tipping, actually came back with the view that if UK had a similar tipping culture, service levels would be better. Where it's got silly is the expectation for 15-20% these days, where when we started going to US 10% was a good tip. Florida assumes a 10% minimum tip level to my understanding.

 

[Tombola]

And for cheap eats

Cheap eats, hop eover to Georigia Louisiana, Kentucky all round the Pan Handle etc....where the minimum wage is less than half of Florida and its reflected everywhere.

Only the same as any other country though USA is by State...as staffing costs go up, customer costs go up, hence tipping % rises.
I think Florida is only 2nd to New York for minimum wage rates.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tombola]

tipping 0 is likely to get you possibly with police being called.

We used to get a lot of servers (and friends we made) telling us the "brits" are the worst for not tipping.

but you also have to watch out, they WILL ripp you off on the bill if they get chance, especially the high end places

 

[starquake]

Cheap eats, hop eover to Georigia Louisiana, Kentucky all round the Pan Handle etc....where the minimum wage is less than half of Florida and its reflected everywhere.

Only the same as any other country though USA is by State...as staffing costs go up, customer costs go up, hence tipping % rises.
I think Florida is only 2nd to New York for minimum wage rates.

Oh indeed, pan handle is where we used to pop for weekends when we worked in TN given it was "only" a days drive away. The BBQ and Chicken places there (fried) are amazing, as is the hot chicken (usually locals joints with queues!).

However, in general terms, ask locals about local nice resturants (that are cheap), as an examples there are usually excellent BBQ places that taste unlike any BBQ you'll have had in UK (BBQ was my Dad's favourite from Florida, given a place we visisted done 48 hour slow smoke rib tips). UK resturants doing mass kitchen prepared BBQ doesn't even compete with a place that only does BBQ. And the mad thing is it's still only $10-12 a portion for something taking all that time to prepare... but they only have a menu with BBQ items!

Florida is actually not even that good for BBQ, but even so Dad thought was amazing as he'd never been to something like it, as I've never found a UK place that competes even with Floridas (bad by US standards) BBQ. There is good BBQ in Vegas, and Nashville by similar standards.

Places I'd avoid in US these days are San Francisco (hugely expensive), and NYC. Both places are overrated for the food, and overpriced when compared with most other parts of US. That said, I'd take a famous-rays pizza in NYC any day (but I'd order a full pie, as it's a rip off buying by the slice) over any chain pizza place. The service there is grumpy, but it's easily best pizza we've had and the grumpy sevrice is behind many bad reviews, and grumpy service is a NYC thing.

Ref US ripping off Brits, yes check bill with toothcomb, and some places will INCLUDE the service/charge and as such further tipping is not required.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Personally the way Trump has been acting I wouldnt even consider going to America.

I think the Canadians have a similar outlook

 

[Tombola]

Personally the way Trump has been acting I would even consider going to America.

I think the Canadians have a similar outlook

wouldnt ?

 

[BikerGraham]

Never fancied going to the states other than to ride route 66 on a Harley. But as the boss no longer rides pillion doubt that will happen now.

These added costs are what you expect from what you hear about the culture over the pond.
I pop in to a cruise forum from time to time and the attitudes of the Americans to tipping is totally different to ours. There are often some strong discussions when the topic comes up. Especially with Cunard where daily housekeeping charges and mandatory 15% tip is added to drinks etc that you buy on board are all added to your account.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[starquake]

Personally the way Trump has been acting I would even consider going to America.

I think the Canadians have a similar outlook

Trump doesn't represent the views of all Americans funnily enough the same way only 20% of people voted for the UK government.
(in fact arguably only about 45% voted for him aiui).

In fact if you go to the nicer parts of America (CA,FL,Utah), chances are they all have similar views on him to yourself. I'm not a fan of Texas myself, or many Republican areas.

Florida is surprisingly a 50/50 state, and NYC and Washington are mostly anti-Trump.

 

[starquake]

specially with Cunard where daily housekeeping charges and mandatory 15% tip is added to drinks etc that you buy on board are all added to your account.

Having expericed service on UK based lines (P&O) and Cunard and Princess, I prefer the latter two, both of which have daily housekeeping charges. Why they can't roll them into fare for UK people I don't understand though (they do for some countrys clients).

The 15% tip thing is the nuts one on drinks. But again, Princess/Cunard you get drinks service to your table, P&O from my experience you queue at a bar. Paying the 15% is worth it, and it still worked out at $4 a beer with tip on Cunard this summer (they had a drinks special on Queen Anne making pints under $4 inc service charge (price was $3 a beer + 15%)). Given thats weatherspoons pricing, I wasn't complaining.

 

[BikerGraham]

Having expericed service on UK based lines (P&O) and Cunard and Princess, I prefer the latter two, both of which have daily housekeeping charges. Why they can't roll them into fare for UK people I don't understand though (they do for some countrys clients).

The 15% tip thing is the nuts one on drinks. But again, Princess/Cunard you get drinks service to your table, P&O from my experience you queue at a bar. Paying the 15% is worth it, and it still worked out at $4 a beer with tip on Cunard this summer (they had a drinks special on Queen Anne making pints under $4 inc service charge (price was $3 a beer + 15%)). Given thats weatherspoons pricing, I wasn't complaining.

Blimey never had drinks that cheap on Cunard before next cruise isn’t till Jan 27 though so see if anything changes.

Haven’t done princess but been on P&O before the tips were included so paid extra then.

But your right it’s interesting that some of the Americans have tips included in their costs ( only certain deals) but then have a pop at Brits for complaining about the extra 15% ……

They can also claim a price reduction if the fare cost reduces e.g. due to a sale etc anytime after they have booked. We can’t we are stuck with the price we book at.

Also interesting that Cunard USP is its “British traditions” but all on board is in Dollars ? Where as P&O is sterling. Same owner though

 

[KASPAR]

Never fancied going to the states other than to ride route 66 on a Harley. But as the boss no longer rides pillion doubt that will happen now.

These added costs are what you expect from what you hear about the culture over the pond.
I pop in to a cruise forum from time to time and the attitudes of the Americans to tipping is totally different to ours. There are often some strong discussions when the topic comes up. Especially with Cunard where daily housekeeping charges and mandatory 15% tip is added to drinks etc that you buy on board are all added to your account.

Having expericed service on UK based lines (P&O) and Cunard and Princess, I prefer the latter two, both of which have daily housekeeping charges. Why they can't roll them into fare for UK people I don't understand though (they do for some countrys clients).

The 15% tip thing is the nuts one on drinks. But again, Princess/Cunard you get drinks service to your table, P&O from my experience you queue at a bar. Paying the 15% is worth it, and it still worked out at $4 a beer with tip on Cunard this summer (they had a drinks special on Queen Anne making pints under $4 inc service charge (price was $3 a beer + 15%)). Given thats weatherspoons pricing, I wasn't complaining.

You can pop down to the pursers desk and ask not to pay the daily charges. You sign a chit. We normally put cash in an envelope for the cabin steward.

On Cunard, if you are ex or current serving ie DDS cardholder, blue light card holder you get U$250 per passenger on board spend, that you can draw in cash from the pursers desk.

Tipping in the US is part of their culture. It's worth learning of places afore you visit, save embarrassment all round.

Carnival group have listened to feedback and have aligned their beverage offering accordingly. You are now limited to what you can take on board ie used to be as much as you wanted, now it's a bottle per passenger be that wine or spirits. Things move on times change.

When first we cruised on Cunard, alcoholic beverages were same as on shore in the US, then they went stupid, now they are reasonable.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Trump doesn't represent the views of all Americans funnily enough the same way only 20% of people voted for the UK government.
(in fact arguably only about 45% voted for him aiui).

In fact if you go to the nicer parts of America (CA,FL,Utah), chances are they all have similar views on him to yourself. I'm not a fan of Texas myself, or many Republican areas.

Florida is surprisingly a 50/50 state, and NYC and Washington are mostly anti-Trump.

Immaterial if Americans don’t like Trump etc.

If the rest of the world make America a pariah it will bounce back on Trump.

Vote with your feet I say.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

We had a meal in the Chrysler restaurant NY, he waiters were actually arguing about tips, I was very close to declining the food bill as it spoilt an otherwise great evening.

Most American restaurant's and food chains pay very little in terms of wages so the only way for a waiter to make money is to ask for a tip. it's something that has spilled over here unfortunately. in the states a waiter on average gets paid around $15 per hour.

Just been reading about the minimum wage in the USA. Apparently 34 states have a minimum wage above the federal minimum wage of $7.25, while 3 states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour

 

[starquake]

Blimey never had drinks that cheap on Cunard before next cruise isn’t till Jan 27 though so see if anything changes.

The drinks specials on Queen Anne in recent times have been excellent . We were also surpised at the $3+15% beers given it's chepast we've seen on any ship ever. 3 beers were included in it this summer, Fosters, John Smiths and Shipyard from memory.

We were on QM2 2 weeks ago, and it wasn't as well-priced, but still was under £5 a pint (even with the 15%) for many of the beers. There were however some specials if you asked (presumably to run down stocks prior to expiry).

If you like a whiskey its also worth noting that some of the single malts are considerably cheaper than pubs in Scotland. That's was what was surprising to us, they also had rums that are > £200 a bottle in UK at $7 a shot, where my local pub charges > £10 a shot for the same.

I can reccomend the new ship, as they definitely do traditional specials in both the pub and the pool bar at the rear (it's more expensive in the other bars). I suspect the lower pricing is due to the higher amount of passengers making economys of scale greater.

 

[philann]

Tips and taxes need to be added to everything. Last year in Orlando they were ‘suggesting’ usually 18, 20 or 22% on the credit card machine, but in a couple of restaurants it was 22, 27 or 30%. There was even a suggested tip in a lot of shops! In bars you are expected to put $1 per drink in the pot on the bar. You also have to add local taxes onto the price of everything you buy in shops.
At our hotel car parking was $25 (plus tax) per day.

On Princess cruises if you don’t have a drinks package they add 18% gratuity to each drink

 

[Rapides]

Our daughter has made her life in the US and is now a citizen, so not visiting is not an option for us.

I have often thought of asking the server to pull up a chair and eat with us since the tipping bollocks is like having an extra person in the party.

 

[68c]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

If we look at the menu as if it were priced in pounds not dollars, we should be able to decide if it is a fair price once tips added. Of course who knows what the rate of exchange will be in two months!
The next hiccup is the hire car, we want to drive the Tribal Loop through Monument Valley, it is classed as a graded dirt road. A look at Alamo's rental agreement says no driving on dirt roads. Hopefully the travel agent can sort that one.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}