Tipping question

[goldenmama]

???We have been in contact with the hotel concierge over the past month by email, and they have been very helpful in making restaurant reservations and answering questions.

Of course I plan to tip them, but should we do it on arrival, since they have already done so much, or would it be better to wait until the end of the trip?

I don't want them to think I'm a dead beat!

Also--does any one know how much you should tip the driver for the airport-hotel van service?

Thanks!

[terezacz]

What about dividing it? Something upon arrival for great services so far and let them know that there´s still something to come if you are satisfied...

[kasthor]

I would tip at the end, make sure you first meet the person that you have been in touch with most and see how the rest of the staff is, you can usually figure out who then is worth tipping and who's not. If you give the money to one person and say share that with Mr X for being so helpful you can assume it will never arrive, if you want to tip them all at the end because theiy were all nice, do it individually.

You should not assume that you will necesarily tip the taxi driver, wait and see how he behaves, if he's nice and takes you straight to the hotel you can leave 4 or 5 Euros, if the rate is already 70 Euros when you get to the hotel and the traffic was normal then you can assume he already included his tip...

[goldenmama]

Its not a taxi, but a transportation service that the travel agent booked for us. I guess its a van. It has already been paid for, so I'm just wondering if that driver would expect a tip. Thanks!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

I'm sure the answer is yes, but whether and how much does depend on the service. If the driver is helpful and courteous, I would say about 5E (more if extraordinary service, like if he carries 10 large bags all the way into the hotel for you). If he is surly and expect you to load and unload your bags (think NYC cabbie!), none. So, it's once again that maddening answer, "it depends"!