Ok. Fifteen dollars per day for a 14 day trip is 15X14=$210 per person. We are not talking about thousands of dollars except perhaps for those who plan on doing back to back to back trips on a months long trip. I’m guessing that is a small number of people. If you are not comfortable carrying around two hundred and ten extra dollars, perhaps foreign travel is not the correct activity. I’m guessing that in this crowd many people have single pieces of clothing that cost more than $210.
Then there is $10 per day pp for the bus driver on some tours too.
I don’t think I’ve ever paid $210 for a piece of clothing, not even a coat. I guess that’s why I can afford to go on lots of tours. I’m not objecting to the tip, I don’t want t carry that much cash by choice. Never underestimate the trauma of being robbed.
You forget many people travel as a couple. Let's say a 14 day trip, two people, $15 per day for the TD and $10 per day for the driver. That's $700, plus a few hundred that each of us carry normally on a trip. That's over $1,000, maybe $1,300.
Normally, when we're traveling, only one of us has the "extra money" (usually Judy) so she's carrying maybe $1,000. I have the rest.
And some of our trips are more than 14 days, such as the India trip we took recently. It adds up to a lot of cash.
Not to beat a dead horse but this thread began with a notification that Tauck had increased the “suggested” gratuity amounts. Once again, in their communication Tauck says the following: “Please note: Although gratuities represent the majority of your Tauck Director's compensation, ourpolicy prohibits Tauck Directors from directly soliciting gratuities.” So, these gratuities are not truly gratuities, these are the TD’s compensation for the most part. My take away is that Tauck is either not paying them or paying them so poorly that they are dependent on our gratuities. If you look up the definition of gratuity this ain’t it folks. Time for Tauck to pay the TD a decent wage, increase the price of the tours and eliminate this so called gratuity. Then, for those who wish to extend a gratuity in appreciation of service ( a true gratuity) so be it. This eliminates all the discussion about carrying cash, which currency, the freeloader issue, etc.
This is a really interesting discussion…. We don’t fill out the evaluation forms anymore. We bring them home and formulate a letter a week after when we have fully thought about everything and then mail it. Given the fact that we complained in a big way about a tour director in Ireland in 2012 and Mike H had the same guy and was also complaining about him at least 10 years later, it is pretty obvious that they read them, may or may not call and act concerned, and then don’t do much. They may change hotels or itineraries ( eg Scandinavia), but about certain things, complaints fall on deaf ears. As for tips- we write checks for american dollars. We don’t care if we are luddites. It is the most convenient way to tip in American dollars and we don’t want to carry a lot of cash🤷🏻♀️. I was recently called by customer service about an unrelated issue , and expressed dissatisfaction about the tipping mechanism in place. My suggestions were either include it in the price ( like the cruises) or let us do it through the Tauck website. I assume they don’t want to deal with tips because then the income will have to be “ claimed” and taxed. Personally, I think the tip should be included in the price. I also think tours should be advertised by number of full days…. A welcome dinner and a breakfast on the way to the airport are not 2 tour days. Just a pet peeve….
Thank you M of P. I think you made the point for the present tipping system. You did not like your Ireland tour director. I hope your tip reflected that, or you might as well have had the tip included in the tour price. The present system gives you a vote … poor service … less money. I’m done. Case closed. (;-)
Blimey, here I go again beating that horse. With so many Tauck directors not being Americans, how do they deal with an American check? I remember some years ago being given a British check and our bank here in the US was clueless. Also, in Britain I don’t think they use checks anymore. I’m not sure about other countries. I remember finding jte banking system in the US very backward when we moved here.
The check thing.... we have never had a problem with writing a check until recently. We figure Tauck is an American company, so the TDs must have some sort of access to the American dollar. 17 tours later we tipped our TD in Africa, a native Zimbabwean ( lovely, lovely ,lovely, wonderful TD, Kathleen) by check in AMerican dollars. The Zimbabwean currency is AMerican dollars. Well - after many attempts , we ended up Venmoing the tip to another TD who then Venmoed the money to Kathleen. This finally occurred one month after the tour. Thus when the customer service person called me regarding another, completely unrelated issue and out of the blue, I brought this up. It had taken a month for Kathleen to get her tip. We think this was probably a function of it being Zimbabwe. This has never come up before. I think if enough people call Tauck customer service and suggest a direct way for us to give tips through Tauck , or include it in the price of the tour, then they will listen about this. I really do think it is about undeclared income, though. Thirty six people on a tour of 10 days at a rate of $15 day is $5400 of potential undeclared income for every 10 day tour. That is a lot of potentially undeclared income. FOr that some 10 day tour, adding the tip of $150 to the cost of the trip and then stating that the tip is included is ridiculously easy for everyone and will not stop anyone from going on a particular tour. I really think it is the tax thing. (Sealord - I can't remember how much we tipped the Ireland TD. I am sure we gave the suggested amount because we don;t want to take food out of anyone's mouth... But - how can you be an Ireland TD and not know the meaning of "Danny Boy"?)
kfnknffzk - That, in my opinion, is short sighted given that on one has offered any solutions to the more far reaching
implications of using credit cards to pay for gratuities after the fact. Sealord has touched upon some issues.
If they offer a web-based way to pay a tip (not included in the price of the tour) at the end of a tour it doesn't preclude people that feel strongly about tipping in cash from doing so. It simply allows people that don't feel comfortable carrying all that cash to have a way they feel safer to tip.
The fact that tips have been provided this way for 'some portion of one hundred years' means nothing. One hundred years ago Tauck probably didn't fly guests around in airplanes. When airplanes became a viable option Tauck evolved and incorporated them into their business strategy.
All that is being suggested by offering, not mandating, a web-based solution for tipping that can be done at the end of a tour is seeing Tauck evolve to new technology for the betterment of, at least some of their customers, while still allowing the others to stay with the cash based system.
Based on comments in this thread it seems like offering both a web-based system and a cash based system for tipping would make the most customers happy. That seems like a good business model!
Do you remember when Tauck used to quote the price of a tour, but then when internal flights were part of the tour, those prices were add ons and then the final price exposed. That was changed!
As for Checks, have all your checks to tour directors on all your tours of the world been cashed? Or have they taken a long time?
Maybe I should find my ancient check book and try that, hand a check, not in an envelope, and see what the tour director’s reaction is in one of the remote locations we find ourselves in.
I look forward to continue to reading this thread when I return from my adventures today. It sure beats, do I need to take a sports jacket?
Checks- this is the first time we have ever had an issue. Every other check has been cashed quickly. We generally write out a thank you card with a personal note , put the check in the envelope too and hand it to the TD at the farewell dinner. Nary a complaint.
I went on my first Tauck tour this year. I have previously been on tours with two other companies. In all cases policy was same for tipping the tour director . I have not been on an A&K tour, but just looked at the web site and it appears that tips are suggested for the tour director with them as well. As a side note, I did not care for the Tauck tour director and I absolutely agree with comments above, that Tauck will not do anything about it. This director has been with Tauck for several years. Other than that, the trip was lovely.
Sealord - The present system gives you a vote … poor service … less money. I’m done. Case closed. (;-)
If there is a web-based system that is used at tours end to enter your tip it has the same effect as a cash based system, providing for and reflecting performance throughout the tour. And it has the added benefit of not requiring you to carry a lot of cash throughout the tour.
I'm glad you think it's 'Case closed'. Same thinking as 'Your way or the highway'.
A web-based system in which a tip is provided or not based on performance, at tours end, seems like a good solution. It doesn't have to preclude people that prefer tipping in cash, but it provides a solution for those that don't want to carry a lot of cash just for a tip.
I understand that you seem to like to 'Make it Rain' with your wad of cash, but others would prefer not to have to bring extra cash, but would still like to tip at the end of the tour (not have it included in the tour's price up front). Why not provide both options?
Checks? OMG In the past few years I've written only 1-2 checks a year. Most purchases I use credit cards and all banking is online. Never had a problem. On the other hand, I've know several people using checks who lost money to fraud. Sorry, but it's not safer than digital alternatives.
In this thread of over 100 comments there are a lot of assumptions but no direct feedback from Tauck Corporate or from some of the more experienced tour directors. I only have six trips under my belt, but perhaps a small group of you "regulars" that have twenty or more trips should set up a call with the CEO or someone else in upper management. Some of you must also have some personal relationships with some tour directors that can give feedback. I'm also speculating that at their annual meeting of tour directors there is also a lot of discussion on this. Someone like Anna who does river cruises and Africa safaris has probably thought about it a lot. With all due respect to many of you who I have learned much from, I would suggest stop the squabbling here and let's hear from the decision makers and the tour directors who are directly affected by this discussion. Thank you, Happy and safe Holidays!!
Taxare - I did post, about a submission I made to Tauck and the response I got. Look back 40 some posts or more.
Basically the response was polite, thanked me for my input, said they would pass it along to Tauck management, but they currently had nothing in the works. In my response to their response I also suggested that they pass this thread on to Tauck management to see the level of discussion taking place.
Ok. Some may have missed my wink … (;-) … or perhaps don’t understand a ‘wink’. In any case the following is quoted from the tour documents from my most recent Tauck land journey. The Tauck tipping policy is clearly stated as is the reasoning for that policy. Perhaps this should be discussed with your TD if you want to tip in a different manner.
“Tauck Director Gratuities
One of the highlights of your Tauck journey will be your professional Tauck Director. Our Tauck Directors are passionate about sharing their knowledge of local customs, cultural traditions and contemporary topics with our guests, and they choreograph each day's activities and work tirelessly to ensure that you get the utmost enjoyment from your journey.
We have chosen not to include Tauck Director gratuities in the price of your tour because we truly believe that gratuities are an important way for you to express your appreciation and to acknowledge your Tauck Director's genuine, personal interaction and superior customer service.
Unlike most other tour guides, Tauck Directors receive no commissions on your shopping purchases, nor do they earn additional income by selling options to you on tour. Instead their sole focus is on serving you, and making sure you have the best possible experience during your travels. We ask that you extend gratuities on an individual basis rather than as a group, and we offer the following guideline to assist you in determining an appropriate amount.”
Very revealing what kind of folks travels with Tauck. Let the world knows their background, their experiences, their upbringings and their conception of money and most of all what kind of credit cards they have.
@henrypoon_66 - if anyone participates in social media, all of that is already well known. Facebook, for example, monetizes their knowledge of you, and they know a whole lot about you. They do everything they can to get you to disclose information about yourself and your life. People post pictures which have EXIF data in them which gives the time and date of the picture and where it was taken. They know where you live, how much money you make, how many kids you have and their ages, who your friends are, where you travel and how often, and a lot more.
Thank goodness I don’t use or need Facebook either. I’ve asked myself why I don’t want to use on many occasions when everyone else thinks it’s the best thing since lemon meringue pie. I don’t need to broadcast to the universe what I do and with whom, where I go, how I shop, how I spend my day, etc etc. I’m sure I’ve left some kind of trail somewhere even without intending to. I don’t want the things I do, copied, tagged or anything else. I am by no means a prima-dona. I just prefer it that way. if anyone needs to get a hold of me, they certainly know how. Google even listen to you. Alexa does for sure. Have you ever noticed you’re talking about something, then lo and behold, that item appears as a subliminal pop-up for you to think about purchasing that item.
I don’t know where the ‘thousands of dollars’ issue arises. Do the math and figure out what you need. I’ve never carried more than six or seven hundred dollars, and we tip generously. We carry the expected TD tip money, plus a little, a pile of ones for small gratuities. I’ve never been anywhere that a couple of dollar bills were not quite visibly appreciated by the hotel staff for small services. I have never carried as much as a thousand dollars … certainly never ‘thousands’ of dollars. I know some are not comfortable carrying cash. My wife rarely has enough money for a parking meter. In any case the cash requirements for a Tauck trip are less than the daily tour charge for one person.
Sam and Sealord, I did read and note your posts. I am suggesting having a conversation, not an email not an additional post, actually a small group speaking to a influential person in management. What has happened to old fashioned direct conversation between management and some of their most important customers?
Sealord - In any case the cash requirements for a Tauck trip are less than the daily tour charge for one person.
It's not that the amount is too much to give in a tip, it is that it is too much for some people to feel comfortable carrying around.
You apparently are comfortable carrying $600 - $700 in cash. Lots of people aren't.
The thread is just discussing if there is a way to provide an optional (that wouldn't preclude you tipping in cash) web-based system for the people that don't feel comfortable carrying the amounts of cash that you feel comfortable carrying but still want to provide a generous tip.
This optional system would not impact your preferred method at all.
I appreciate all the hard thought and effort people have made to address this issue, but it still seems to me such a silly first world problem…how about a little change of perspective? Just think about how fortunate we are to be able to travel with Tauck or, for that matter, to be able to travel at all. Tis the season to be especially grateful. Wishing everyone happy holidays and stress free tipping.
Haven't read all 4 pages, so I may be repeating others, but home or abroad, I don't carry cash, $50 tops. Since I'm mostly an urban traveler, I simply go to an ATM b/f farewell dinner and pay in local currency. But I agree, Tauck needs to just incorporate these costs into tour price. The nonprofit Road Scholar btw is another example where staff are not allowed to accept tips. Tipping in the restaurant sector is a hot topic under review in many jurisdictions. And yes, the Forum is a bubble of privilege. Season's Greetings, everyone!
Just a follow-up on my original post. On day 2 of a tour now and the paperwork the TD handed out stated recommended tip is $12/day. Maybe he didn't get the word, or it only "applies" to new bookings?
Comments
Ok. Fifteen dollars per day for a 14 day trip is 15X14=$210 per person. We are not talking about thousands of dollars except perhaps for those who plan on doing back to back to back trips on a months long trip. I’m guessing that is a small number of people. If you are not comfortable carrying around two hundred and ten extra dollars, perhaps foreign travel is not the correct activity. I’m guessing that in this crowd many people have single pieces of clothing that cost more than $210.
Then there is $10 per day pp for the bus driver on some tours too.
I don’t think I’ve ever paid $210 for a piece of clothing, not even a coat. I guess that’s why I can afford to go on lots of tours. I’m not objecting to the tip, I don’t want t carry that much cash by choice. Never underestimate the trauma of being robbed.
You forget many people travel as a couple. Let's say a 14 day trip, two people, $15 per day for the TD and $10 per day for the driver. That's $700, plus a few hundred that each of us carry normally on a trip. That's over $1,000, maybe $1,300.
Normally, when we're traveling, only one of us has the "extra money" (usually Judy) so she's carrying maybe $1,000. I have the rest.
And some of our trips are more than 14 days, such as the India trip we took recently. It adds up to a lot of cash.
Not to beat a dead horse but this thread began with a notification that Tauck had increased the “suggested” gratuity amounts. Once again, in their communication Tauck says the following: “Please note: Although gratuities represent the majority of your Tauck Director's compensation, ourpolicy prohibits Tauck Directors from directly soliciting gratuities.” So, these gratuities are not truly gratuities, these are the TD’s compensation for the most part. My take away is that Tauck is either not paying them or paying them so poorly that they are dependent on our gratuities. If you look up the definition of gratuity this ain’t it folks. Time for Tauck to pay the TD a decent wage, increase the price of the tours and eliminate this so called gratuity. Then, for those who wish to extend a gratuity in appreciation of service ( a true gratuity) so be it. This eliminates all the discussion about carrying cash, which currency, the freeloader issue, etc.
This is a really interesting discussion…. We don’t fill out the evaluation forms anymore. We bring them home and formulate a letter a week after when we have fully thought about everything and then mail it. Given the fact that we complained in a big way about a tour director in Ireland in 2012 and Mike H had the same guy and was also complaining about him at least 10 years later, it is pretty obvious that they read them, may or may not call and act concerned, and then don’t do much. They may change hotels or itineraries ( eg Scandinavia), but about certain things, complaints fall on deaf ears. As for tips- we write checks for american dollars. We don’t care if we are luddites. It is the most convenient way to tip in American dollars and we don’t want to carry a lot of cash🤷🏻♀️. I was recently called by customer service about an unrelated issue , and expressed dissatisfaction about the tipping mechanism in place. My suggestions were either include it in the price ( like the cruises) or let us do it through the Tauck website. I assume they don’t want to deal with tips because then the income will have to be “ claimed” and taxed. Personally, I think the tip should be included in the price. I also think tours should be advertised by number of full days…. A welcome dinner and a breakfast on the way to the airport are not 2 tour days. Just a pet peeve….
Thank you M of P. I think you made the point for the present tipping system. You did not like your Ireland tour director. I hope your tip reflected that, or you might as well have had the tip included in the tour price. The present system gives you a vote … poor service … less money. I’m done. Case closed. (;-)
Blimey, here I go again beating that horse. With so many Tauck directors not being Americans, how do they deal with an American check? I remember some years ago being given a British check and our bank here in the US was clueless. Also, in Britain I don’t think they use checks anymore. I’m not sure about other countries. I remember finding jte banking system in the US very backward when we moved here.
The check thing.... we have never had a problem with writing a check until recently. We figure Tauck is an American company, so the TDs must have some sort of access to the American dollar. 17 tours later we tipped our TD in Africa, a native Zimbabwean ( lovely, lovely ,lovely, wonderful TD, Kathleen) by check in AMerican dollars. The Zimbabwean currency is AMerican dollars. Well - after many attempts , we ended up Venmoing the tip to another TD who then Venmoed the money to Kathleen. This finally occurred one month after the tour. Thus when the customer service person called me regarding another, completely unrelated issue and out of the blue, I brought this up. It had taken a month for Kathleen to get her tip. We think this was probably a function of it being Zimbabwe. This has never come up before. I think if enough people call Tauck customer service and suggest a direct way for us to give tips through Tauck , or include it in the price of the tour, then they will listen about this. I really do think it is about undeclared income, though. Thirty six people on a tour of 10 days at a rate of $15 day is $5400 of potential undeclared income for every 10 day tour. That is a lot of potentially undeclared income. FOr that some 10 day tour, adding the tip of $150 to the cost of the trip and then stating that the tip is included is ridiculously easy for everyone and will not stop anyone from going on a particular tour. I really think it is the tax thing. (Sealord - I can't remember how much we tipped the Ireland TD. I am sure we gave the suggested amount because we don;t want to take food out of anyone's mouth... But - how can you be an Ireland TD and not know the meaning of "Danny Boy"?)
If they offer a web-based way to pay a tip (not included in the price of the tour) at the end of a tour it doesn't preclude people that feel strongly about tipping in cash from doing so. It simply allows people that don't feel comfortable carrying all that cash to have a way they feel safer to tip.
The fact that tips have been provided this way for 'some portion of one hundred years' means nothing. One hundred years ago Tauck probably didn't fly guests around in airplanes. When airplanes became a viable option Tauck evolved and incorporated them into their business strategy.
All that is being suggested by offering, not mandating, a web-based solution for tipping that can be done at the end of a tour is seeing Tauck evolve to new technology for the betterment of, at least some of their customers, while still allowing the others to stay with the cash based system.
Based on comments in this thread it seems like offering both a web-based system and a cash based system for tipping would make the most customers happy. That seems like a good business model!
Do you remember when Tauck used to quote the price of a tour, but then when internal flights were part of the tour, those prices were add ons and then the final price exposed. That was changed!
As for Checks, have all your checks to tour directors on all your tours of the world been cashed? Or have they taken a long time?
Maybe I should find my ancient check book and try that, hand a check, not in an envelope, and see what the tour director’s reaction is in one of the remote locations we find ourselves in.
I look forward to continue to reading this thread when I return from my adventures today. It sure beats, do I need to take a sports jacket?
Checks- this is the first time we have ever had an issue. Every other check has been cashed quickly. We generally write out a thank you card with a personal note , put the check in the envelope too and hand it to the TD at the farewell dinner. Nary a complaint.
I went on my first Tauck tour this year. I have previously been on tours with two other companies. In all cases policy was same for tipping the tour director . I have not been on an A&K tour, but just looked at the web site and it appears that tips are suggested for the tour director with them as well. As a side note, I did not care for the Tauck tour director and I absolutely agree with comments above, that Tauck will not do anything about it. This director has been with Tauck for several years. Other than that, the trip was lovely.
If there is a web-based system that is used at tours end to enter your tip it has the same effect as a cash based system, providing for and reflecting performance throughout the tour. And it has the added benefit of not requiring you to carry a lot of cash throughout the tour.
I'm glad you think it's 'Case closed'. Same thinking as 'Your way or the highway'.
A web-based system in which a tip is provided or not based on performance, at tours end, seems like a good solution. It doesn't have to preclude people that prefer tipping in cash, but it provides a solution for those that don't want to carry a lot of cash just for a tip.
I understand that you seem to like to 'Make it Rain' with your wad of cash, but others would prefer not to have to bring extra cash, but would still like to tip at the end of the tour (not have it included in the tour's price up front). Why not provide both options?
Well said, Sam.
Besides a web-based tip portal, it's time for a web based survey. Or they could put it on the Tauck app - oh, wait...
Checks? OMG In the past few years I've written only 1-2 checks a year. Most purchases I use credit cards and all banking is online. Never had a problem. On the other hand, I've know several people using checks who lost money to fraud. Sorry, but it's not safer than digital alternatives.
I think this subject has been beaten to death.
In this thread of over 100 comments there are a lot of assumptions but no direct feedback from Tauck Corporate or from some of the more experienced tour directors. I only have six trips under my belt, but perhaps a small group of you "regulars" that have twenty or more trips should set up a call with the CEO or someone else in upper management. Some of you must also have some personal relationships with some tour directors that can give feedback. I'm also speculating that at their annual meeting of tour directors there is also a lot of discussion on this. Someone like Anna who does river cruises and Africa safaris has probably thought about it a lot. With all due respect to many of you who I have learned much from, I would suggest stop the squabbling here and let's hear from the decision makers and the tour directors who are directly affected by this discussion. Thank you, Happy and safe Holidays!!
Taxare - I did post, about a submission I made to Tauck and the response I got. Look back 40 some posts or more.
Basically the response was polite, thanked me for my input, said they would pass it along to Tauck management, but they currently had nothing in the works. In my response to their response I also suggested that they pass this thread on to Tauck management to see the level of discussion taking place.
Ok. Some may have missed my wink … (;-) … or perhaps don’t understand a ‘wink’. In any case the following is quoted from the tour documents from my most recent Tauck land journey. The Tauck tipping policy is clearly stated as is the reasoning for that policy. Perhaps this should be discussed with your TD if you want to tip in a different manner.
“Tauck Director Gratuities
One of the highlights of your Tauck journey will be your professional Tauck Director. Our Tauck Directors are passionate about sharing their knowledge of local customs, cultural traditions and contemporary topics with our guests, and they choreograph each day's activities and work tirelessly to ensure that you get the utmost enjoyment from your journey.
We have chosen not to include Tauck Director gratuities in the price of your tour because we truly believe that gratuities are an important way for you to express your appreciation and to acknowledge your Tauck Director's genuine, personal interaction and superior customer service.
Unlike most other tour guides, Tauck Directors receive no commissions on your shopping purchases, nor do they earn additional income by selling options to you on tour. Instead their sole focus is on serving you, and making sure you have the best possible experience during your travels. We ask that you extend gratuities on an individual basis rather than as a group, and we offer the following guideline to assist you in determining an appropriate amount.”
Such an interesting thead.
Very revealing what kind of folks travels with Tauck. Let the world knows their background, their experiences, their upbringings and their conception of money and most of all what kind of credit cards they have.
????
@Sealord - I didn't notice your "wink" but even if I had, I don't know what a wink means.
@henrypoon_66 - if anyone participates in social media, all of that is already well known. Facebook, for example, monetizes their knowledge of you, and they know a whole lot about you. They do everything they can to get you to disclose information about yourself and your life. People post pictures which have EXIF data in them which gives the time and date of the picture and where it was taken. They know where you live, how much money you make, how many kids you have and their ages, who your friends are, where you travel and how often, and a lot more.
That’s the primary reason I don’t use Facebook.
Thank goodness I don’t use or need Facebook either. I’ve asked myself why I don’t want to use on many occasions when everyone else thinks it’s the best thing since lemon meringue pie. I don’t need to broadcast to the universe what I do and with whom, where I go, how I shop, how I spend my day, etc etc. I’m sure I’ve left some kind of trail somewhere even without intending to. I don’t want the things I do, copied, tagged or anything else. I am by no means a prima-dona. I just prefer it that way. if anyone needs to get a hold of me, they certainly know how. Google even listen to you. Alexa does for sure. Have you ever noticed you’re talking about something, then lo and behold, that item appears as a subliminal pop-up for you to think about purchasing that item.
I don’t know where the ‘thousands of dollars’ issue arises. Do the math and figure out what you need. I’ve never carried more than six or seven hundred dollars, and we tip generously. We carry the expected TD tip money, plus a little, a pile of ones for small gratuities. I’ve never been anywhere that a couple of dollar bills were not quite visibly appreciated by the hotel staff for small services. I have never carried as much as a thousand dollars … certainly never ‘thousands’ of dollars. I know some are not comfortable carrying cash. My wife rarely has enough money for a parking meter. In any case the cash requirements for a Tauck trip are less than the daily tour charge for one person.
Sam and Sealord, I did read and note your posts. I am suggesting having a conversation, not an email not an additional post, actually a small group speaking to a influential person in management. What has happened to old fashioned direct conversation between management and some of their most important customers?
It's not that the amount is too much to give in a tip, it is that it is too much for some people to feel comfortable carrying around.
You apparently are comfortable carrying $600 - $700 in cash. Lots of people aren't.
The thread is just discussing if there is a way to provide an optional (that wouldn't preclude you tipping in cash) web-based system for the people that don't feel comfortable carrying the amounts of cash that you feel comfortable carrying but still want to provide a generous tip.
This optional system would not impact your preferred method at all.
I appreciate all the hard thought and effort people have made to address this issue, but it still seems to me such a silly first world problem…how about a little change of perspective? Just think about how fortunate we are to be able to travel with Tauck or, for that matter, to be able to travel at all. Tis the season to be especially grateful. Wishing everyone happy holidays and stress free tipping.
Haven't read all 4 pages, so I may be repeating others, but home or abroad, I don't carry cash, $50 tops. Since I'm mostly an urban traveler, I simply go to an ATM b/f farewell dinner and pay in local currency. But I agree, Tauck needs to just incorporate these costs into tour price. The nonprofit Road Scholar btw is another example where staff are not allowed to accept tips. Tipping in the restaurant sector is a hot topic under review in many jurisdictions. And yes, the Forum is a bubble of privilege. Season's Greetings, everyone!
Just a follow-up on my original post. On day 2 of a tour now and the paperwork the TD handed out stated recommended tip is $12/day. Maybe he didn't get the word, or it only "applies" to new bookings?