Tipping a hotel concierge around the world
Tipping a hotel concierge is customary in 9 of the 15 countries we track, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and 5 more. In the United States, $5–$20 for reservations; $50+ for hard-to-get bookings. It is unusual or unwelcome in Japan and South Korea.
Concierge staff who arrange reservations, tickets, and recommendations. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Appreciated | £5–20 if they secure something hard to get |
| 🇫🇷France | Appreciated | €5–20 for a real favour |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Appreciated | No tip for routine; €5–10 for moderate effort; €10–20 elaborate |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Appreciated | €2 for routine bookings; €5–10 for difficult arrangements |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Appreciated | €5–20 for a real favour |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Optional | $5–$20 for reservations; $50+ for hard-to-get bookings |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Appreciated | $5–$20 for a meaningful favour |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Appreciated | 50–200 MXN per favor; 100–200 for hard reservations |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0; ¥3,000–¥10,000 in an envelope for exceptional help |
| 🇨🇳China | Optional | ¥50–100 for substantial help; otherwise none |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0; ₩10,000–₩30,000 envelope for an exceptional favor |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Appreciated | ฿100–200 for substantial assistance |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Optional | Nothing routinely; A$10–20 for a meaningful favour |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Optional | R$10–R$20 routine; R$50+ for hard reservations |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Appreciated | AED 20–50 routine; AED 100+ for hard reservations |
Tipping a hotel concierge: common questions
Do you tip a hotel concierge?
It depends on the country. Tipping a hotel concierge is expected or appreciated in 9 of the 15 countries we track — including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and 4 more — and is unusual in Japan and South Korea.
How much do you tip a hotel concierge?
In the United States, $5–$20 for reservations; $50+ for hard-to-get bookings. Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Where should you not tip a hotel concierge?
Tipping a hotel concierge is unusual or can cause awkwardness in Japan and South Korea. A polite thank-you is enough.
Should you tip a hotel concierge in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, and 10 more, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.