Hotel bill says service charge already included then adds a tip line — pay both or cross the tip out?
Coastal hotel restaurant. Bill shows service charge. Waiter slid the folder over with an empty tip line and a pen. Partner thinks refusing is rude; I think double tipping by default is silly. What do travelers actually do without a scene at the table?
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3 Answers from travellers
If service charge is already itemized, you are not obliged to fill the tip line. A small extra cash tip for standout service is optional, not automatic. Cross the tip line out or write zero politely, smile, and pay the bill as printed. Scenes help nobody; clarity does. Hotels that print service charge and still push a tip line are hoping fatigue wins. I will not invent percentages as gospel.
Wrote a dash on the tip line when service charge was present. Waiter still thanked us. No drama.
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