Short answer: create a tip page in an app such as TipIns, print the QR code and put it on a card you leave in the room with the luggage. Customers scan it with their phone camera and tip by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. They do not need an app or an account.
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.
How a QR code tip jar works
You create a tip page once and get a personal QR code and link. A customer points their phone camera at the code, a secure payment page opens in their browser, and they pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. The tip shows in your balance straight away and is paid out to your bank account.
Where bellhops put the code
- On a card you leave in the room with the luggage.
- On your name badge or lanyard.
- On the luggage tag or claim ticket.
- At the bell desk.
Size the code for the distance: a phone reads one from about ten times its width. The measurements are in how to make a tip jar QR code sign.
What to write on the sign
Thanks for staying with us. If you would like to tip your porter, scan here.
Put your own name where the brackets are. You can export a print-ready design from the app in business card, A5, A4 or A3 size.
How to mention it
As you set the last bag down: "Enjoy your stay. If you need anything, my card is on the desk."
Your own code or a shared one
A bell desk group, shared between the team on shift, is the most common set-up.
What customers usually 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.
| 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 |
Customers looking for the etiquette can read how to tip a bellhop without cash.
What it costs
TipIns is free to download and has no monthly fee. Each tip carries a 10% platform fee plus a small card processing fee, and by default the person tipping covers both, so you receive the amount they chose. Weekly payouts to your bank are free. The details are in the FAQ.
Common questions
Where should a bellhop put a tip QR code?
On a card you leave in the room with the luggage. On your name badge or lanyard.
What should a bellhop's tip sign say?
Try: "Thanks for staying with us. If you would like to tip your porter, scan here." Give a reason, show a large code and include your name.
Should I use a personal code or a team code?
A bell desk group, shared between the team on shift, is the most common set-up.