Category: Insights

Fair Tips Talks – Episode Four: The Dangers Of Non-Compliance

Posted on by Angie Carney

Fair Tips Talks

Episode FOUR

The Dangers Of Non-Compliance

Step into the complex topic of fair tipping with Propel, TIPJAR and The Tronc Advisor, as we uncover the upcoming Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act in detail. Gain a deep understanding of the challenges surrounding these changes as we embark on a journey of exploration and clarification.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Or watch on Youtube:

About this episode

Embark on a candid exploration of the consequences of non-compliance with the new tipping legislation!

Gain invaluable advice for operators at risk, insights into common non-compliance areas, and practical solutions to navigate the evolving landscape of tipping practices. We’ll delve into the critical role of communication, discuss potential financial and reputational risks, and offer guidance on staying within legal boundaries.

Don’t miss this insightful session focused on ensuring compliance, safeguarding your brand, and nurturing positive industry relationships!

Our expert guests

Download our easy guide to the legislation

Dive deep into the intricacies of the imminent Fair Tips Act, and grasp what it signifies for hospitality enterprises in its evolving framework.

Enter your details to download our easy guide:

What is TiPJAR?

TiPJAR® is an award-winning cashless tipping and tronc platform that allows individuals and teams to receive cashless tips directly from customers, then distribute them transparently and fairly amongst the team.

We are a start-up on a global mission to help tipped workers in the emerging cashless society, to help businesses reward and motivate their best staff, and to help customers say thank you for great service.

Seamlessly Integrated into your workflows

The world’s only solution that effortlessly integrates into your existing payment flows for a streamlined tipping experience.

designed for enterprise

TiPJAR offers a comprehensive solution tailored to meet the unique needs of large-scale businesses.

Financial technology, built like a bank

With robust financial technology at its core, TiPJAR offers a secure and reliable platform, built to meet the highest complaince standards.

A solution for any kind of business

From restaurants to hotels, TiPJAR is the go-to solution for any kind of business looking to revolutionize their tip management.

Totally compliant with new legislation

A fully compliant solution that ensures your business meets all the requirements of new legislation, while keeping your teams happy!

A revolution built with purpose

We exist to help empower tipped workers with instant access to their tips, financial security, unrivalled transparency, and most of all – a method with which they can collect and share tips across teams fairly.

But our mission doesn’t stop there. We also equip businesses with a powerful tool to reward, motivate, and retain their exceptional staff, eliminating the notorious administrative headaches associated with tips on a global scale. We understand the challenges faced by businesses in managing this crucial aspect, and we are here to provide a game-changing solution.

Book A Demo
1
TiPJAR® Accounts
0
Registered Users
0.01 M
Transactions
£ 0.1 M
Tips Taken

Introducing

Distribute service charges or credit card tips, transparently.

Find Out More

Fair Tips Talks – Episode Three: A ‘People First’ Approach To The New Tipping Legislation

Posted on by Angie Carney

Fair Tips Talks

Episode THREE

A 'PEOPLE FIRST' APPROACH TO THE NEW TIPPING LEGISLATION

Step into the complex topic of fair tipping with Propel, TIPJAR and The Tronc Advisor, as we uncover the upcoming Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act in detail. Gain a deep understanding of the challenges surrounding these changes as we embark on a journey of exploration and clarification.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Or watch on Youtube:

About this episode

We’re diving deep into how the new tipping and tronc legislation supercharges inclusive workplace cultures. Our remarkable panel unravels its provisions for fair treatment, navigates business challenges, and serves up hot advice on aligning policies with people-first approaches.

You’ll gain insights from businesses that have already not just complied, but fully embraced the new legislation. Discover how they put employee well-being above all else!

Operators join the party to share their tales of adapting while keeping that people-first groove alive. And, of course, we’ll explore the fantastic benefits for businesses that make fair treatment and satisfaction the stars of their tipping and tronc practices. Join us for a sizzling discussion at the crossroads of legislation, workplace culture, and business success.

Lastly, we’ll discuss how this legislation might influence recruitment, retention, and relationships within the industry!

Our expert guests

Download our easy guide to the legislation

Dive deep into the intricacies of the imminent Fair Tips Act, and grasp what it signifies for hospitality enterprises in its evolving framework.

Enter your details to download our easy guide:

What is TiPJAR?

TiPJAR® is an award-winning cashless tipping and tronc platform that allows individuals and teams to receive cashless tips directly from customers, then distribute them transparently and fairly amongst the team.

We are a start-up on a global mission to help tipped workers in the emerging cashless society, to help businesses reward and motivate their best staff, and to help customers say thank you for great service.

Seamlessly Integrated into your workflows

The world’s only solution that effortlessly integrates into your existing payment flows for a streamlined tipping experience.

designed for enterprise

TiPJAR offers a comprehensive solution tailored to meet the unique needs of large-scale businesses.

Financial technology, built like a bank

With robust financial technology at its core, TiPJAR offers a secure and reliable platform, built to meet the highest complaince standards.

A solution for any kind of business

From restaurants to hotels, TiPJAR is the go-to solution for any kind of business looking to revolutionize their tip management.

Totally compliant with new legislation

A fully compliant solution that ensures your business meets all the requirements of new legislation, while keeping your teams happy!

A revolution built with purpose

We exist to help empower tipped workers with instant access to their tips, financial security, unrivalled transparency, and most of all – a method with which they can collect and share tips across teams fairly.

But our mission doesn’t stop there. We also equip businesses with a powerful tool to reward, motivate, and retain their exceptional staff, eliminating the notorious administrative headaches associated with tips on a global scale. We understand the challenges faced by businesses in managing this crucial aspect, and we are here to provide a game-changing solution.

Book A Demo
1
TiPJAR® Accounts
0
Registered Users
0.01 M
Transactions
£ 0.1 M
Tips Taken

Introducing

Distribute service charges or credit card tips, transparently.

Find Out More

Fair Tips Talks – Episode Two: New Tipping Legislation & Agency Workers

Posted on by Angie Carney

Fair Tips Talks

Episode TWO

NEW TIPPING LEGISLATION & AGENCY WORKERS

Step into the complex topic of fair tipping with Propel, TIPJAR and The Tronc Advisor, as we uncover the upcoming Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act in detail. Gain a deep understanding of the challenges surrounding these changes as we embark on a journey of exploration and clarification.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Or watch on Youtube:

About this episode

In Episode Two of our webinar series, FAIR TIPS TALKS, we’re delving deep into the impact of the new tipping legislation on agencies, agency workers, and industry operators.

We’ll tackle the challenges operators face when relying on agency workers, along with compliance strategies. Plus, we’ll explore how shifts in tip allocation and reporting are reshaping dynamics between staff agencies and businesses.

Discover the advantages of running a tronc and the potential for collaborative efforts between operators and staff agencies. Technology’s role in streamlining tip management will be a key focus.

Lastly, we’ll discuss how this legislation might influence recruitment, retention, and relationships within the industry!

Our expert guests

Download our easy guide to the legislation

Dive deep into the intricacies of the imminent Fair Tips Act, and grasp what it signifies for hospitality enterprises in its evolving framework.

Enter your details to download our easy guide:

What is TiPJAR?

TiPJAR® is an award-winning cashless tipping and tronc platform that allows individuals and teams to receive cashless tips directly from customers, then distribute them transparently and fairly amongst the team.

We are a start-up on a global mission to help tipped workers in the emerging cashless society, to help businesses reward and motivate their best staff, and to help customers say thank you for great service.

Seamlessly Integrated into your workflows

The world’s only solution that effortlessly integrates into your existing payment flows for a streamlined tipping experience.

designed for enterprise

TiPJAR offers a comprehensive solution tailored to meet the unique needs of large-scale businesses.

Financial technology, built like a bank

With robust financial technology at its core, TiPJAR offers a secure and reliable platform, built to meet the highest complaince standards.

A solution for any kind of business

From restaurants to hotels, TiPJAR is the go-to solution for any kind of business looking to revolutionize their tip management.

Totally compliant with new legislation

A fully compliant solution that ensures your business meets all the requirements of new legislation, while keeping your teams happy!

A revolution built with purpose

We exist to help empower tipped workers with instant access to their tips, financial security, unrivalled transparency, and most of all – a method with which they can collect and share tips across teams fairly.

But our mission doesn’t stop there. We also equip businesses with a powerful tool to reward, motivate, and retain their exceptional staff, eliminating the notorious administrative headaches associated with tips on a global scale. We understand the challenges faced by businesses in managing this crucial aspect, and we are here to provide a game-changing solution.

Book A Demo
1
TiPJAR® Accounts
0
Registered Users
0.01 M
Transactions
£ 0.1 M
Tips Taken

Introducing

Distribute service charges or credit card tips, transparently.

Find Out More

Fair Tips Talks – Episode One: Unravelling The New Tipping Legislation

Posted on by Angie Carney

Fair Tips Talks

Episode One

Unravelling the legislation

Step into the complex topic of fair tipping with Propel, TIPJAR and The Tronc Advisor, as we uncover the upcoming Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act in detail. Gain a deep understanding of the challenges surrounding these changes as we embark on a journey of exploration and clarification.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

Or watch on Youtube:

About this episode

We’re so excited to share Episode One of our webinar series! In this session, we’ll delve into the new tipping legislation’s implications on your day-to-day operations, discussing both the challenges it poses and the opportunities it presents.

We’ll consider the long-term benefits that this Act might bring to your business, and explore the importance of staff education and how these changes may affect your team dynamics. Finally, we’ll address the potential financial impact and share insights on how technology solutions can simplify compliance.

You’ll leave with valuable resources for further information and a sneak peek of our next webinar in this enlightening series. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed about the new tipping legislation! 

Our expert guests

Download our easy guide to the legislation

Dive deep into the intricacies of the imminent Fair Tips Act, and grasp what it signifies for hospitality enterprises in its evolving framework.

Enter your details to download our easy guide:

What is TiPJAR?

TiPJAR® is an award-winning cashless tipping and tronc platform that allows individuals and teams to receive cashless tips directly from customers, then distribute them transparently and fairly amongst the team.

We are a start-up on a global mission to help tipped workers in the emerging cashless society, to help businesses reward and motivate their best staff, and to help customers say thank you for great service.

Seamlessly Integrated into your workflows

The world’s only solution that effortlessly integrates into your existing payment flows for a streamlined tipping experience.

designed for enterprise

TiPJAR offers a comprehensive solution tailored to meet the unique needs of large-scale businesses.

Financial technology, built like a bank

With robust financial technology at its core, TiPJAR offers a secure and reliable platform, built to meet the highest complaince standards.

A solution for any kind of business

From restaurants to hotels, TiPJAR is the go-to solution for any kind of business looking to revolutionize their tip management.

Totally compliant with new legislation

A fully compliant solution that ensures your business meets all the requirements of new legislation, while keeping your teams happy!

A revolution built with purpose

We exist to help empower tipped workers with instant access to their tips, financial security, unrivalled transparency, and most of all – a method with which they can collect and share tips across teams fairly.

But our mission doesn’t stop there. We also equip businesses with a powerful tool to reward, motivate, and retain their exceptional staff, eliminating the notorious administrative headaches associated with tips on a global scale. We understand the challenges faced by businesses in managing this crucial aspect, and we are here to provide a game-changing solution.

Book A Demo
1
TiPJAR® Accounts
0
Registered Users
0.01 M
Transactions
£ 0.1 M
Tips Taken

Introducing

Distribute service charges or credit card tips, transparently.

Find Out More

Fair Tips Act & UK’s New Tipping Legislation

Posted on by Angie Carney

Fair Tips Act: What could the new tipping legislation mean for operators?

Dive deep into the intricacies of the imminent Fair Tips Act, and grasp what it signifies for hospitality enterprises in its evolving framework.

We pride ourselves on being completely compliant, fair, and transparent. In collaboration with The Tronc Advisor, we’re offering a no-obligation, 1-hour consultation with tipping and tronc specialist, Andy Hamman, for enterprises unsure about this shifting terrain.

Enter your details to download our easy guide:

Claim your free 1-hour consultation with
the tronc advisor.

Exclusive Offer: Claim your complimentary 1-hour consultation with the esteemed Andy Hamman. As the Director of Advisory Services at The Tronc Advisor, and with an impressive stint at organizations like HMRC, BDO, and KPMG, this is a £500 worth opportunity you shouldn’t miss! Claim Now

The UK's Tipping Culture is Evolving!

Introducing the Fair Tips Act, also recognized as the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act. This legislation is on a mission to guarantee that hospitality workers receive their tips in a fair and transparent manner. The repercussions of this act are monumental, reshaping the manner in which the hospitality sector addresses tips.

Navigating this change can be challenging. That’s where TiPJAR® steps in. We are committed to ensuring your business aligns with the latest regulations without a hiccup.

Unveiling the Fair Tips Act

Central to the Fair Tips Act is its commitment to ensuring every hospitality worker gets their rightful share of tips. In today’s economic scenario, where countless hospitality professionals depend on tips, this is a monumental shift.

Breaking Down the New Tipping Rules

Here’s a snapshot of the forthcoming changes:

  • Tips collected in a month must be disbursed by the subsequent month’s end.
  • Employees have the right to demand tip reports.
  • Using the Tronc pot to fund the Tronc system is now off the table.
  • The government will likely define the term “fair” in this context.
  • Tribunals can now grant restitutions concerning tip discrepancies.
  • A new code of practice will oversee tip distribution, emphasizing on-site team members engaged in the customer experience.

Feeling overwhelmed? TiPJAR® has your back. We’re more than equipped to assist you in integrating these changes smoothly.

The Push for Change in Tipping Practices

Transparency and fairness in tipping have become significant talking points. Historically, the tipping law in the UK had some grey areas, especially concerning service charges in restaurants. The new legislation is an attempt to bring more clarity to these practices, ensuring workers receive their rightful dues.

Key Things to Note:

  • Service Charges: Restaurants are now required to be more transparent about service charges. The recent changes to the service charge law aim to ensure patrons and staff are fully informed, without any ambiguities.

  • Tip Distribution: Methods such as tip pooling are under the spotlight. With the Fair Tips Act, there’s a push to ensure a balanced distribution, particularly in restaurants where front and back of house staff rely heavily on these contributions.

  • Cash Tips: Adjustments in cash tips practices stress the importance of timely distributions. It’s vital that the hard-working staff in the hospitality sector receive their cash tips without undue delays.

  • Clarity in Practices: Operators need to be aware of new stipulations surrounding service charges and tips. With a focus on service charge regulations and related areas, establishments are encouraged to adopt practices that are above board and in line with the latest guidelines.

Want to find out how we can help?

At TiPJAR®, we’re primed to support our partners in navigating the nuances of this tipping legislation. Our systems are designed to help establishments transition seamlessly, ensuring compliance and promoting best practices. With new regulations on the horizon, it’s crucial to be prepared. Let us help you align with the best practices in the industry.

Embrace the Future of Tipping with TiPJAR®

Get in touch

Book A Demo

Book a chat with us today and hear how TiPJAR® software can help your business grow!

Book A Demo

Customer Story: Jaunty Goat Coffee

Posted on by Angie Carney

Customer Story

Jaunty Goat Coffee - Boosting their team's earnings

How they've used TAP TO TIP to boost their team's earnings in a space where tips aren't commonly a thought.

# of venues

2

venue type

Coffee shops

Product(s)

TAP TO TIP

Average tip

£2.09

FOR EVERY £1 SPENT ON SUBSCRIPTION COSTS

Staff receive £12.30 in tips

£/ HOUR EARNINGS
PER STAFF MEMBER

£0.56

£/YEAR
PER STAFF MEMBER*

£723.61

*Based on the average staff member at JGC who works 25 hours per week. 

Who are Jaunty Goat Coffee?

Located in the fabulous, leafy-green city of Chester, sits this lovely group of small, local-run coffee shops.

This quaint, artisan brand prides itself on specialist coffee, quality honest food, and warm service.

Following the success of their first store, they have recently opened a second, also in the Historic town of Chester which is entirely plant-based. 

Their core values are based on sustainability, staff well-being, and transparency – which made them a perfect match for TiPJAR. Not only are they a Living Wage Employer, but they also take great pride in training and growing their teams to their best abilities.

Local at heart, we absolutely love this brand and love that we are able to help their passionate teams earn a little more for their hard work.

"It's a great USP for new employees, it saves vital time for the management team, so their efforts can be spent with the team and customers, plus TiPJAR is completely transparent which fits our business culture perfectly."
Elinor Summers
Operations Manager

USING TIPS AS A RECRUITMENT TOOL

As with many hospitality operators nowadays, JGC found it difficult to compete against bigger brands on the Chester high street for staff recruitment.

By implementing TiPJAR’s TAP TO TIP technology alone, they have increased their staff pay by 56p per employee, per hour worked (based on an average of 25 hours worked per week), increasing staff pay by £724 per year on average. which has proven a useful recruitment tool to attract talent – offering their staff the opportunity for extra earnings if they perform! 

"It has definitely helped with recruitment; especially for a coffee shop environment, where tips are typically far less than a bar or restaurant."
Elinor Summers
Operations Manager

Happy staff

TiPJAR, like JGC, pride ourselves on fairness and transparency. 

By implementing our platform, the brand have given their staff total ownership of the tips they recieve – linking employee performance to employee reward.

Over the two venues, they have collected over £10,000 across over 5000 contactless transactions in only 11 months. As hospitality operators, it’s no myth that they understand the value this can bring in terms of staff wellbeing, motivation, and employer-employee trust.

"Everyone loves how easy it is to use and how transparent it is from an ethical point of view."
Elinor Summers
Operations Manager

We’re excited to continue to work with Jaunty Goat Coffee as they hopefully go from strength to strength and continue to open up more sites!

We’re big fans!

 

Do you run a coffee shop and are keen to understand how we can help your business soar?

Book a Demo

Book A Demo

Book a chat with us today and hear how TiPJAR® software can help your business grow!

Book A Demo

Hospitality workers are set to lose £15M in tip income due to train strikes

Posted on by Angie Carney

Hospitality workers are set to lose £15M in tip income in december due to train strikes

UK hospitality staff could stand to lose out on £15M in tips due to train strikes scheduled in December, according to data from our tipping platform.

 

The trade union representing train workers is planning industrial action on 13, 14, 16, 17 and 24 – 27 December, as well as 3 and 4 January, and 6 and 7 January. As a result, the hospitality industry is due to lose over £1.5bn in sales during what is meant to be the busiest weeks of the year, according to UKHospitality.

 

There has been a lot of reporting on the impact of cancellations, refunds, and sales – but very little on the impact it has on those with boots on the ground in the industry, at a time when cost-of-living is at the highest it’s been in 41 years.

 

Arguably the busiest week of the year for the industry, and the first year since covid with no restrictions – this industrial action could be devastating for those businesses (and their staff) who are hanging on a financial thread.

 

According to our data as the UK’s leading cashless tipping platform, we can report an average loss of -17% in tips for hospitality staff on recent train strike days throughout October and November.

This loss will be equivalent to roughly -£15M loss in tips in December alone, as the national tipping market is worth £3bn a year.

 

The impact that that extra £35/£40 has on those that are more vulnerable in our industry is huge. It could be the difference in someone being able to feed their families, or giving their kids presents at Christmas.

Whilst we align with workers speaking to improve pay and conditions, our job is to represent some of the lowest-paid workers whose income is directly related to footfall in their pubs and restaurants. This strike action could have a devastating effect on hospitality workers.

If you’d like to find out more feel free to get in contact.

Book A Demo

Book a chat with us today and hear how TiPJAR® software can help your business grow!

Book A Demo

‘Non-Cash’ Tipping in Hospitality – The Staff and Customer View

Posted on by Angie Carney

Non-Cash Tipping In Hospitality

The customer and staff view report

Tipping and the thoughts/legislation surrounding tipping in the UK has always been a talking point for our industry. At TiPJAR, we wanted to know facts about how people really feel about the levels of transparency and fairness surrounding the issue. This is why we commissioned leading hospitality data specialists at KAM to carry out a survey with over 750 individuals to find out what the real consensus surrounding tips out there is.

Download the Full Report

of staff worry about not getting their fair share of 'non-cash' tips

The survey of 500 customers and 250 hospitality staff shows a concerning lack of trust in contactless tipping in the hospitality industry with the majority of staff (84%) worrying they are not getting their fair share of credit/debit card tips and service charges. In addition, their concerns are likely exacerbated through experiencing malpractice with findings revealing two thirds (66%) of staff say they have knowingly had tips held back or had deductions taken from their tips, with almost three quarters (74%) of them claiming that they were never told the reasons for this.

Lack of transparency is clearly an issue. With many workers relying on tipping to top up their income the government has unveiled plans to overhaul tipping practices. Also, with HMRC having recently changed their guidance it suggests they will start cracking down on businesses that don’t give 100% of tips to staff.
 
Tipping fairness plays a significant role in influencing job retention, with 88% of staff saying that the fairness of the tip process influences where they work and how long they stay in a role. The industry is already facing huge labour shortages so staff retention should be top of mind.

Staff aren’t the only ones confused about cashless tips. In fact, 2 in 3 consumers don’t understand where tips go despite a large majority (87%) expressing concerns for where their card tips or service charges end up. Providing this transparency could increase tips as 43% of consumers say that knowing their tip goes directly to the staff would prompt them to leave one. Providing fairer tips could also improve footfall for businesses with 1 in 2 customers being more likely to visit a venue if they knew ‘non-cash’ tips were being shared fairly.

In today’s cashless society, although more convenient, tips fall into a ‘black hole’ where staff simply have to trust that it has been fairly calculated by the time it appears on their pay slips at the end of the month. Both staff and customers really have no transparency or understanding of how tips are handled.

Our research has shown strong sentiments that a fairer, more transparent tipping process will not only alleviate feelings of mistrust but improve satisfaction and retention for staff. TiPJAR was built to enable workers to have total ownership of their tips, so that when a customer decides to leave a tip – it goes directly to staff and doesn’t touch the business.

Download the Full Report

Book A Demo

Book a chat with us today and hear how TiPJAR® software can help your business grow!

Book A Demo

Why let your staff keep their tips?

Posted on by Angie Carney

Why let your staff keep their tips

Tips have ordinarily found the pocket of servers the world around. Traditionally on lower wages, hospitality staff supplement their basic wages with the tips that they earn in a shift. 

Many restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels take a slice of the tips their servers earn, however. This prompted a legislation change in the UK at the backend of 2019 – which is still awaiting ratification.

Letting staff keep their tips

Unemployment and uncertainty in the hospitality sector in 2020 has influenced wages, tips, customers and their likelihood of tipping. The pandemic has also affected business, and tips may well be a useful end of month bonus. 

To counteract any argument, we have outlined five benefits of letting your staff keep their tips:

Staff Support

Waiting staff, bartenders and other hospitality staff are often working for an hourly rate. While it may be a good amount per hour, servers face a number of challenges, such as: 

– Not being offered enough hours

– Needing to work two jobs to supplement their wages

– Having to compete with other staff members for the best hours

If a company is willing to take away their tips from this equation, it causes an additional problem for their monthly finances. 

Tips earned in the UK are not added to the hourly rate of a worker. Despite the tips being taxed, staff can still come away with more to support their families live well each month. 

Staff retention:

One of the biggest challenges facing any hospitality business is staff retention. It was reported in 2018 that three in ten UK hospitality employees leave their job within the first year of their start date. This mind-boggling statistic needs to be helped in any way possible. 

Tips represent a key point of contention for staff in bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Staff may feel that tips go to undeserved parties when split evenly, or that the company is greedy taking a slice of the money. This is never going to help the myriad problems that exist in every HR department. A tipping system that works fairly for all staff will, fingers crossed, mean better staff retention is achieved. 

Staff motivation to work:

Waking up in the morning or leaving the house for the evening to go to work is never easy. Hospitality staff often working unsociable hours to cater and serve people, so motivation quickly becomes a vital aspect of their work. 

While it comes down to many different aspects, tipping can become a vital reason for your team to stay motivated. Adding incentives to their role in your business will boost motivation, and tipping is a great incentive that already exists.

Tips given to those who earned them:

Not every penny earned by tips is necessarily to do with a particular server. It depends on many factors, but, in general, servers earn more in tips by merit. Friendly, happy and helpful staff are more likely to earn a big tip. It is unfair on those that go the extra mile to exclude them from tips or split them equally. 

By letting your staff keep their tips, they are more inclined to do everything for their customers. This ethos translates into good business and removes another bone of contention for staff members.

Customers prefer giving tips to staff members:

In a similar vein as tips going to those who earn them, customers have a place in this. We have all tipped in different varieties. It might depend on how much change we have, the quality of the service or even the atmosphere within the cafe, restaurant or hotel. 

As a general rule, customers are more likely to part with more cash to those that impress them. An outstanding, helpful and friendly service will earn more in tips than a service that is sub-standard and unimpressive. 

Motivation to earn tips equals offering your customers a better service – even if that is a subconscious reaction.

Legal Responsibility in the UK:

In response to growing concerns about the tips that businesses across the UK were taking, the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 14 October 2019. 

Despite the global pandemic halting the next readings of the bill, businesses will soon have to allocate their tips in a fairer way – meaning more tips will find the pockets of servers and staff members. 

The government in the UK has set out a Code of Best Practice for tips. Despite being voluntary, it is in place to help ensure that tips are handled fairly. Considerations include: 

– How are tips distributed?

– Are cash and card tips treated differently?

– What deductions are in place for tips?

– What happens during annual or sick leave?

These factors may well encourage businesses to think differently about tips, but until the Bill is passed in the future, employers do not have a legal responsibility to fairly distribute their tips. 

Why should your staff keep their tips?

Motivation, staff happiness, staff turnover and morale are all impacted by tips. If you can influence these elements through your policy on tipping, it’s the easiest thing you will ever change in your business.

Checkout more tipping Guides

Get A Solo Account For Free

We offer no strings, no obligation free software for any solo accounts. Sign up with us today and start earning more!

We will be launching Solo+ soon which has many more benefits for the individual tip worker.

Sign Up

Gratuity in Aviation – Everything You Need To Know About Tipping

Posted on by Angie Carney

Aviation tipping etiquette; private jets, commercial airlines & airports

Tickets ready, bags packed, pre-flight refreshments consumed. A quick flight into mainland Europe or a huge long-haul across the world, the journey is often something to savour. 

It is well known that products on aeroplanes are bumped up – necessity is the mother of inflated prices. It’s little wonder then that many people don’t often bat an eyelid about tipping – but our journeys are supported by servers, bar staff, cabin crew, pilots, check-in assistants and many more.

Whether you’re about to go into business class or crammed into economy/coach, or even chartering a private jet, gratuity in aviation and in airports can seem slightly tricky, but we’ve got you covered. 

Can you tip in flight, and if so, how much?

Of course, it’s not a crime to show appreciation to dedicated professionals who make a difference to your experience.

However, there’s never been a set of guidelines on how, when, or an amount to tip those in aviation. In fact, tipping on commercial airlines isn’t wholly accepted. Private chartered flights is a different story.

A Quick Guide

Tipping on a private jet

Tipping on private chartered flights is welcome but not expected. In some cases, company policy is to turn down gratuity. Ultimately, it is up to you whether you wish to tip crew or pilots, and it’s up to the professional to decide whether they would like to accept your gratuity, or politely decline.

In the private jet sector, passengers are known from time to time to arrange for some form of gift to show their appreciation of the flight deck and cabin crew. 

David Pitt at News From The Ramp and Charter Sales Manager told us, “I’ve seen flight deck crew receive a wide variety of gifts as a thank you for their great customer care. Gratuity has varied from £50 cash, flowers, and even concert tickets and backstage passes.” Oh, the perks of flying bands and artists around!

Forbes also covered the private jet tipping etiquette with a great piece, hearing from other professionals in the industry covering the topic of gratuity. They spoke to Andrew Flaxman, a former business jet pilot who founded jet card broker ExpertJet. Andrew questioned, “Why is it that yacht crews, taxi and limo drivers, as well as anyone in the hotel service industry, may get a tip, but flight crew often neglected?”

Our answer to Andrew’s observation is that clients and customers just don’t have the knowledge or ease of tipping their crew or the pilot. This is where a virtual tip jar like TiPJAR® can help to shift flyers’ thinking on tipping in aviation and not be afraid or unsure on whether to tip or not.

Forbes also spoke to Adam Twidell, a former private jet pilot and the co-founder of PrivateFly. “Do people tip? Yes, however, much more in the US than in Europe.” To the question, is tipping expected, he replies, “Not really in the US, and absolutely not in Europe, but it is always very much appreciated.”

There seems to be inconsistency and a stigma around tipping cabin crew, but a consistency in the answer to whether receiving tips in aviation is appreciated. Yes it is appreciated.

Commercial flight gratuity giving

The speed of transactions on a flight depends on the nature of your journey. Travel from London to Spain and you will be asked once, if you’re lucky, whether you would like anything – snacks, drinks, sandwiches, duty free etc.

Tipping on a commercial flight is not an accepted custom. Some airlines actively refuse tips from passengers for their staff. It can be a little confusing, and it’s not as easy as asking the flight attendant to round up your bill before you tap your card or hand over your cash.

While the acceptance of tips on board is a little confusing, it may be worth you exploring the option of TiPJAR® with them. That way you can scan their QR code and ping them some money instantly and securely to their TiPJAR account. If a cashless tip isn’t quite what you had in mind, then why not send an email, give them a shout out on social, or gift them chocolates.

Ultimately, just like with private flights, it is up to you whether you tip, and the professional whether they accept your gratuity or politely decline.

Tipping at the airport

Duty-free beverages and the customary Instagram pictures of your pre-flight meal, it’s all part of any trip away. There are many moving parts at an airport, and tipping comes into practice in some areas more than others. 

For many flyers, the need for wheelchair support, help with bags, and ground transfers within the airport may be necessary. These tasks are carried out often by willing, awesome volunteers from across the airport who are assigned to help ensure your visit to the airport is super easy. Tipping in these situations is almost exclusively cash based (unless you have a virtual tipping account), and means you will need to part with your money that way – hopefully you have the right currency to hand! It’s also worth remembering they will not have cash on them to change up. 

Tipping airline staff may be tricky and hard to manage, but airport staff are in a different jurisdiction, they’re service staff, they’re much easier to show appreciation to.

Airport staff in North America, where tipping is often supplementary to someone’s wages, are welcoming of tips. In many server jobs in the United States, waiting staff, concierges, and other helpful employees will often take a pay cut to secure a job at an airport, because the tips can tend to be a little more fruitful. 

This is in the main down to the positivity of holiday travellers before they board their flight. Asked to arrive at the airport hours before their flight leaves, we have nothing better to do than sit, eat, drink, and chat with fellow travellers. This is, of course, why we are sometimes a little less frugal with our money in these scenarios. 

When it comes to airport restaurants, there’s no need to approach it differently. Whether you’re at a small, family-run restaurant or a chain, we always look to our server as the shining light. An airport server will almost certainly be working unkind shifts – an airport is a 24/7 conveyor belt of people from all over the world. 

To support their role, airport staff may learn new languages, understand how to communicate with people from all walks of life, and still manage to hold it together during the busy times and long night shifts. 

Tipping is an easy calculation when you receive your bill from an airport restaurant, but make sure to read your receipt before leaving any money. Airports often add service charges to the bill and will sometimes leave you paying an extra 20% or more. This is an opportunity to refuse the general tip on the bill, and choose to personally tip your waiter/waitress through a virtual tipping app – keeping that tip for themselves will certainly be appreciated by the staff member.

Where do my airport tips go?

Another point of contention when it comes to tipping on flights is where the money ends up. It is a difficult thing to know what happens when you contactless tap away your money. As airlines and flight operators do not actively accept tipping on their journeys, it is not something that is regulated specifically, and your money may just end up in a back pocket of a distant CEO. 

It isn’t 100% certain where all tips go. Service charges are often placed into a pot for all the staff to dip in and out of, but even these tips can end up in the general pool, rather than be taken home by your server.

Can I tip my airport transfer/taxi service?

The airport transfer is one of the most alien experiences of any new trip. As soon as you roll along the tarmac of a new city, a fresh landscape opens up. After your flight, no matter how long, you are seeking the solace of your accommodation. 

Fortunately, airport transfers are on hand to take you directly to that slightly confusing address which you’ve hastily printed off and shown to the driver in the hope they know the quickest or most direct route to your temporary base.

Depending on where you’re flying to, taxi fares can be inflated compared with those in the city – it’s easy to raise the prices for those seeking convenience. However, in some cases your taxi driver will be able to give you help and advice on the local area, inform you of the nearest supermarket, or give you the best place for food when you arrive. 

In addition to this, they may help you with your bags on arrival at your destination, or even help with the hotel check in using their native tongue. 

Taxi drivers will always accept extra tips for their work, and as the transaction is almost exclusively cash based, at least for the moment around the world, you can simply round up the fare. It goes without saying that to make this transaction as safe as possible, you should always agree to a fare before entering the vehicle, as standard fares can jump into astronomical numbers without it being mentioned. 

Taking tips worldwide

Wherever you’re planning on flying to, this guide has hopefully shown you that there are plenty of different ways you can tip and feel comfortable on your next journey. The role of cash is changing fast in many countries and regions, with some now actively discouraging its use due to Covid-19. Now is the time to transition over to a cashless/virtual tipping system like TiPJAR®.

From airport support staff and check-in assistants through to waiting staff and on-board airline cabin crew, you can confidently tackle the confusing world of tipping in aviation. 

Checkout more tipping Guides

Get A Solo Account For Free

We offer no strings, no obligation free software for any solo accounts. Sign up with us today and start earning more!

We will be launching Solo+ soon which has many more benefits for the individual tip worker.

Sign Up