Short answer: Bellhops and hotel porters in the US are usually tipped $1 to $2 per bag, with about $5 as a minimum when they bring bags to your room. With no cash on you, the options are: ask the bellhop, ask the front desk to add it, get cash at check-in, or tip on the way out.
How much to tip a bellhop
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Bags taken to your room | $1 to $2 per bag, $5 minimum |
| Heavy or awkward luggage | $2 to $3 per bag |
| Bags held in storage and brought back out | $1 to $2 per bag |
These are customary amounts in the United States, in US dollars. They are a guide, not a rule: tip more for exceptional service.
Do you have to tip a bellhop?
It is customary in the US whenever someone carries your bags. If you take your own bags up, nothing is owed.
Can you tip a bellhop by card?
Not directly. A bellhop carries no terminal, and the tip is traditionally handed over at your room door.
4 ways to tip a bellhop without cash
- Ask the bellhop. Many now have a QR code on a card or badge, or will give you a payment handle.
- Ask the front desk to add it. Some hotels will post a porterage gratuity to your room.
- Get cash at check-in. Ask for a few small notes against your room while your bags are still on the trolley.
- Tip on the way out. If the same team handles your bags at departure, you can cover both then, and say so.
What a tip QR code does
If a bellhop shows you a QR code, point your phone camera at it. A payment page opens in your browser, you choose an amount, and you pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. You do not install anything or create an account, and it works with cards from other countries.
If you cannot tip on the day
Take their name and leave an envelope at the desk later. Front desks handle this routinely.
Outside the United States
In the UK and Europe one or two pounds or euros per bag is usual at larger hotels. In Japan do not tip. In Australia it is optional.
Do you work as a bellhop?
Guests arrive from an airport with foreign currency or none. They are grateful at the door of the room, and they have nothing to give you.
See how bellhops take card tips with a QR code: where to put it, what to write on the sign and how to mention it.
Common questions
How much should I tip a bellhop?
Bellhops and hotel porters in the US are usually tipped $1 to $2 per bag, with about $5 as a minimum when they bring bags to your room.
Do I have to tip a bellhop?
It is customary in the US whenever someone carries your bags. If you take your own bags up, nothing is owed.
Can I tip a bellhop with a card or Apple Pay?
Not directly. A bellhop carries no terminal, and the tip is traditionally handed over at your room door.
What if I have no cash to tip a bellhop?
Take their name and leave an envelope at the desk later. Front desks handle this routinely.