Figuring Out How Much Should I Tip The Limousine Chauffeur

You've rented a limo for a special event such as a prom, wedding or night our on the town. Everyone attending has put in their share to pay for the night and you are ready to go. All of a sudden someone mentions the tip. Suddenly you wonder, how much should I tip the limousine chauffeur.

Many people think that the general rule of thumb is to tip on the same sliding scale that they use in restaurants. Unfortunately that is not true. The activities and duties they perform are the same yet different in almost all cases.

Tipping is how you show appreciation for a job well done. Should the driver perform well one can go above the standard rate and if the driver perform poorly one can tip on the low end of the scale. The high end being 25 percent, the low end being 15 percent.

There are quite a few determining factors that one should look at when figuring out the amount of a tip. Things such as punctuality, being courteous, driving skills, driver training and knowledge of the area all play into a fun and successful night for you and a good tip for them.

When you call the limo company to book the car make sure to double check their policies on tipping. Some companies automatically include a 15 percent gratuity into the price. This is done to protect the drive from non tipping customers. This works well when the jobs are for short term rides like proms and concerts.

Special services are sometimes offered by limo companies such as red carpet roll outs, food and beverages, photography and assuring the same driver throughout the night. These are instances where the tip may also be rolled into the price. Customers may also want to tip more if these services are performed well.

The city a customer is in needs to be considered as well. The larger cities generally have different rules when it comes to tipping than smaller ones. These rules are not ones you are going to find in any travel guide; they are more of a local custom. Planning to tip toward the high end of the scale in larger cities is a good idea.

No matter what event you have rented a limo for you will always want to do some research beforehand. The limousine chauffeur will be part of your group for the entire night and catering to your every needs. From the first time they open the car door for you and your party to the end of the night when they drop you off at your end location. Take special note of the way the do their job and treat you and your friends. If the limo rental included a built in tip; the drivers actions during the night will determine a tip above and beyond the included gratuity. If a tip was not included they well determine the size of the tip. No matter how the night went always remember to tip something.