7 tipping mistakes guests don't realize they're making at hotels

Tipping at a restaurant is second nature for most Americans, but hotel tipping is a different story. Between housekeeping, bellhops, concierges, and valets, it's easy to feel unsure about who to tip, how much to give, and when you could skip it altogether. Nobody wants to stiff someone who earned it, but you also want to avoid wasting money on tips that aren't customary.

Here are the most common hotel tipping mistakes to avoid so you could travel with confidence on your next trip.

1. Forgetting to tip housekeepers

Housekeepers make a median annual wage of $33,450, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. So, consider tipping them the next time you stay at a hotel. 

Experts suggest $5 per day as a good tip, but you should add a little more if you're leaving behind a mess or have kids who cause you to leave dirty diapers in the trash.

A clean experience will definitely make you want to travel more, so reward those efforts accordingly.

2. Taking valet service for granted

If your hotel offers a valet service for your car, it might be a good idea to include a tip either when the valet parks the car or retrieves it from the hotel's valet lot.

If you want extra care for your car, add a few more dollars to the tip and make the request to the valet. And like the shuttle driver, consider a bump up in the tip if the valet helps you load and unload bags.

3. Forgetting that a gratuity already is included

Talk to your hotel staff when you check in to see if the hotel automatically includes a gratuity in your charges.

You may still want to add an additional tip here or there for extra service, but remember that a gratuity may be part of the bill at the end of your stay.

4. Tipping when it's not necessary

There are times when tipping is not necessary. If the water doesn't work or the air conditioner is blowing hot air, you don't need to tip the person who performs the repair.

Other situations are less clear. For example, if a concierge's local knowledge adds something special to your stay, a tip makes sense. But there is no need to tip when asking for directions to a local attraction.

Butler service is another gray area. Consider tipping butlers if you use their services regularly during your stay. Otherwise, you can skip the tip.

5. Not tipping shuttle drivers

Some hotels may offer shuttle services to and from the airport. You may also be able to use these services to get to a restaurant or event without the need for a cab or Uber driver.

In these cases, give your shuttle driver a few dollars. You also might want to add a little more to the tip if the driver helps with your suitcases or other bags.

6. Failing to reward work that is above and beyond

Maybe the staff accommodated an unusual request or gave you an upgrade at a reduced rate when you arrived, helping you to save money on travel costs. Any extra work that went above and beyond the usual standard should be rewarded with a tip.

7. Forgetting to bring extra cash

Tips can add up over the course of a stay, depending on how much you would like to tip hotel workers and how often you decide to use hotel services.

The easiest way to reward workers is with a cash tip, so try to put extra cash in your pocket specifically for any tipping situations you encounter.

Bottom line

Hotel tipping can be confusing for even the most seasoned traveler. But knowing the basic tipping rules allows you to have a good stay while appropriately tipping staff.

To put it simply, keep more money in your wallet during your stay and reward those who served you well. And if you're ready to book your getaway, check out some of the best travel credit cards to help fund future adventures.