- Learn how to do the the so-called '$20 dollar trick' & which hotels offer the best room upgrades(75% of us got lucky last year!)
- Learn how users like you save $1000s on Las Vegas hotels
The 419th Mitch and Dr. Kev's Tipping the Odds Las Vegas Podcast Oct 11, 2020 On this episode I fix my Microphone after the first 45 seconds, and its also funny and informative.
How to Do The $20 Dollar Trick for Vegas Room Upgrades!
There is no secret handshake, sign or password. When you go to the front desk to check into a hotel, they will ask for a credit card, driver’s license or passport. Slip a $20 bill between your ID and credit card and ask clerk if there are any complimentary upgrades available. There must be more to it than that, you’re thinking. But nope – it’s that easy. They will start typing on their keyboard and will do their best to give you a complimentary upgrade because they want the tip!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Tipping is $1 per drink, regardless if you're on the casino floor or in a bar. 10% is horrendously low. That said, if you're paying $10 for a beer, then $1 (10%) is fine. Someone giving $5 on the first drink is no more guaranteed to get faster drinks than someone giving $1 a drink.
- Tipping Casino Dealers Shouldn’t Be a Lost Art in Las Vegas By Michael Stevens in Tips & Advice on October 18, 2019 One of my favorite movie scenes is the scene where Mr. Pink talks about how he’s not going to tip the waitress.
- If you’re heading to Las Vegas for some high-rolling fun, the last thing you want to worry about is committing a casino tourist faux pas. Tipping etiquette can confuse the best of us.
- Why should I tip $20 to my hotel check in clerk?
Tipping the hotel’s front desk staff means the chance of landing a cheap room upgrade. Twenty bucks for a room upgrade is a no-brainer, right? The so-called ‘$20 dollar trick’ or ‘credit card sandwich’ is common across the US, but in Las Vegas – a city that runs on tips – it’s universal. Your chances of a room upgrade vary with the hotel and the clerk who serves you. - Which hotels do I have the best bet of an upgrade at? We believe the top Vegas hotels on the Strip for an upgrade are currently Palazzo, Mirage and Planet Hollywood. Our full list of hotels ranking by odds of an upgrade is here.
- How much should I tip the front desk for an upgrade? A $20 tip is the norm, but some of our users prefer to live large. Take a look at our ‘best of’ section to see what our users say to get some idea of what works at which hotels.
- What if my front desk tip doesn’t work? So what? Relax! It might be a little embarrassing, but either chalk it up to experience or come back later and try your luck with another check-in clerk. Most clerks will know to give you back the money if they cannot upgrade you.
Feeling lucky? It’s time to try it for yourself. Be sure to report back on how you get along!
After all these years, I finally get around to making a general guide to tipping in Las Vegas!
Tipping. The art of giving a gratuity for great service or for the hope of getting better service is an American custom. Not shared by some in other countries and as such, some people have a difficult time understand it. Getting a grip on who and how much.
A General Overview of Who to Tip and How Much
Shuttle drivers
Probably the first place you will be tipping is at the airport. The shuttle to your hotel or to the car rental facility. if the driver helped you with your luggage, arranged a better seat for you or did something specific, other then drive you to the location: $1 per bag.
Uber/Lyft Drivers
We are used to using cabs in Las Vegas. Ride Share vehicles are now taking over. The same tradition follows. If the car was clean and the driver friendly, knew where to go and got you there safe and sound? 10% of the fare
Valet
The people who will park your car then return it to you when you are ready to leave: $2/$5 at pickup
If you tip nicely when you first enter, they tend to park it closer. Larger the tip, the closer to the front they will park it!
If you tip nicely when you first enter, they tend to park it closer. Larger the tip, the closer to the front they will park it!
Bellman:
Standard pick up at check-in or at drop off in room:$2 a bag
If they go above and beyond, be sure to increase the tip
If they go above and beyond, be sure to increase the tip
Casino Cocktail Waitress
If standard well drinks: $2 a drink. Call drink $5
The better you tip, the faster she will return!
The better you tip, the faster she will return!
Housekeeping
![Las Las](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/14080775_web1_CV-WYNN-FOLLO-APR24-20_042420kc_003.jpg?crop=1)
You do not always get the same housekeeper every day, tip every day. Tip: $2/$5
Put it someplace by itself and leave a note so they know its for them and not loose change you may have left behind when you left the room for the day.
Put it someplace by itself and leave a note so they know its for them and not loose change you may have left behind when you left the room for the day.
Tour Guides
Las Vegas Tips And Secrets
Multi-day tours: $5/$10 per day. Day trips: $5/$10 per person. If the guide was wonderful, maybe even extraordinary: 10% of the price of the tour
Maid Tipping Las Vegas
Cheat Sheet!
- Shuttle Driver – $1 per bag
- Valet – $2/$5 at Pickup
- Uber/Lyft Drivers – 10% of fare
- Bellman – $2 per bag
- Casino Cocktail waitress – $2 per well drink/$5 for call drink
- Housekeeping – $2/$5 per day
- Tour Guide – $5/$10 per day
I’m sure I missed a few people. But these are the common ones. Rule of thumb is that if its a personal service being performed, there probably is a tip expected at the end. If not sure, don’t be afraid to ask.
General Rule of Thumb. Not In Stone!
Appropriate Tipping In Las Vegas
Nothing is ever set in stone. Tipping is a very personal decision and has to do more with emotions than anything else. Had a great person do something more than what you expected them to do? Tip a little more than suggested. Had crappy service? tip lower. Want better service from the same person next time? Be memorable by tipping heavy and being friendly when you tip. oftentimes a “thank you” with a nice tip can go a long way. Service people in hotels talk. Especially the maids. The word is passed on who is and who isn’t a great tipper.