Shocking U.S. Tipping Culture: $5 for Luggage, $5 for the Bed?! Even Locals Are Struggling!

Even New Yorkers are fed up with guidebooks that aren’t always up to date!

When traveling in the U.S., many people may struggle with tipping. From hotel housekeeping to restaurant bills and taxi fares, it is customary to add a tip. However, tipping rates vary depending on the situation, and even travel guidebooks often provide vague guidelines like 10–20% of the bill.

Now, due to rising costs in the U.S., tipping rates have increased compared to before. The term tipflation (a combination of tip and  inflation) has even been coined, reflecting how even locals are frustrated by the trend.

If you don’t know the proper tipping rates in advance, you may end up embarrassing yourself. Moreover, the travel guidebooks that are supposed to serve as references may not always have the most up-to-date information, so caution is necessary.

【Hotel】Bed making costs $2–$5 per bed!?

A Japanese man who has lived and worked in New York for over 30 years shared detailed insights into the current tipping situation, emphasizing that his observations are based on personal experience in New York and other major U.S. cities.

First, regarding tipping at hotels. According to the latest travel guidebooks, the common recommendation is $1–$2 per bed, with some suggesting $2–$5 per bed. However, tipping customs have been changing in recent years.

“Recently, it seems more common for people to skip tipping for housekeeping. Personally, I only tip when I receive special service, and I hand it directly to the person—usually around $5 rather than just $1. Also, leaving $1 on the pillow seems to be a Japanese habit. If you want to tip, placing it on the bedside table with a ‘Thank you!’ note is a more considerate approach.”

For luggage handled by a porter, guidebooks suggest varying amounts, such as $1–$2 per bag or $2–$3 per bag.

“It depends on the number of bags, but a smooth way to tip would be handing over either a $5 bill or three $1 bills.”

Some travel guidebooks mention tipping a hotel doorman $1 for calling a taxi, or $2 in bad weather. The tipping amount varies depending on the situation, so travelers should be mindful. Meanwhile, when using hotel or airport shuttle buses, it remains standard practice to tip the driver $1 per person upon exiting.

【Taxi】Tipping added to credit card payments, now optional with Uber’s rise

Next is tipping for taxis. Travel guidebooks mention tipping 10–20% of the fare or 1 dollar per piece of luggage handled.

“In New York, the well-known Yellow Cabs are still widely available. If you take one, adding around 15–20% to the fare as a tip is standard. Credit card payments are also accepted.”

However, in recent years, ride-sharing services like Uber have become more popular alongside taxis. With Uber, passengers can specify their destination precisely, and in large cities like New York, there are many available drivers, often arriving within just a few minutes.

“With Uber, the fare is displayed in the app when you request a ride, so tipping is generally not required. However, if the service was particularly good, you can choose to tip through the app after the ride. That said, it’s not mandatory.”

【Restaurants】tips added to expensive dining bills even cafés and self-checkout counters request tips!?

For Japanese travelers, tipping at restaurants is perhaps the most confusing aspect. Travel guidebooks often provide vague guidelines, such as 15–20% of the bill or twice the tax amount (18% in New York).

“In New York recently, the tipping standard seems to be around 20–25%. Many restaurants have credit card payment terminals where you select the tip amount, and some start at ‘22%.’ Most places offer three options, like ‘18% / 20% / 25%,’ along with a custom tip option.

With rising food prices, tip amounts have also increased. In general, restaurant staff rely on tips as their main source of income. In high-end restaurants, servers can earn around 150,000 yen per night. Also, if you check your coat, tipping just one dollar per item might not be enough anymore.”

Moreover, the tipping culture has expanded beyond restaurants to cafés. When the writer visited a major café chain in New York last December, they were surprised to see a tip screen appear at checkout. Even locals who have lived there for years find this strange.

“Tipping is supposed to be for service, but now even Starbucks prominently displays tip options when you order and pay. It often pressures you to choose from ‘18% / 20% / 25%,’ though there is a ‘NO TIP’ button. However, pressing that in front of the cashier can feel awkward.”

Interestingly, many locals, especially younger people, don’t hesitate to tip at cafés.

Café tipping is often not mentioned in travel guidebooks. Of course, customers can select “NO TIP” at the register, and tipping isn’t as mandatory as in restaurants. However, even when ordering coffee through an app or using a self-checkout, a tip option still appears.

Bar tipping: From $1 per drink to $15–$20 per drink!?

After the pandemic, the U.S. economy has rapidly recovered, and inflation shows no signs of slowing down. Having visited the West Coast, Hawaii, and now New York after the pandemic, the author was struck by how expensive everything had become—not just tipping but also hotels, restaurants, cafes, transportation, and admission fees for tourist attractions. The difference in prices compared to Japan was overwhelming.

New York’s cost of living, in particular, is on another level. A long-time resident of the city confirmed, “The tipping rates have definitely gone up.”

“Restaurant tipping at 25% is on the higher end, but tipping in general has increased significantly since the pandemic ended. In the past, there was a custom of tipping $1 per cocktail at bars, but now, a single cocktail in Manhattan can cost $15–$20. With tax and tip added, having just one drink after work has become quite difficult.”

Additionally, the U.S. is even more cashless than Japan, with credit cards being widely used everywhere. While it’s easy to add a tip when paying at restaurants or in taxis, tipping hotel staff such as housekeeping, doormen, or concierges is still typically done in cash. Even long-time residents sometimes find themselves in a pinch when they don’t have cash on hand.

Since tipping is not a custom in Japan, travelers unfamiliar with tipping etiquette and amounts may feel confused upon arrival in the U.S. Some people have shared experiences of either forgetting to tip or giving too little and receiving unpleasant reactions. However, tipping is not mandatory—it is a gesture of appreciation for good service, and there is certainly no need to tip if the service was unsatisfactory.

Beyond just tipping, many aspects of post-pandemic travel have changed significantly. The common sense of pre-pandemic travel no longer always applies, so travelers relying on guidebooks should be cautious.