"Recognizing your parking attendant/valet by tipping is not only a common courtesy, but especially so if the service meets or exceeds expectations," Lewis explains. If you notice any damage/missing items, inform the managing valet right away; its hard to prove negligence/wrongdoing on the valet services part if you dont notice the damage until you get home. Valet parking has grown considerably in popularity within the United States over the past twenty years. 0000018959 00000 n Some valet parking providers also use specially designed umbrellas and signs to direct customers or display prices. Save 2 to 5 more dollars to tip the driver once you return to your vehicle. According to Drew, most people will just tip the valet thatretrievestheir vehicle when theyre leaving the hotel/event. Below, we'll investigate what a concierge is, what they do, and how much they make. If you eat at a restaurant that has valet parking, can you leave your car with the valet while you see a movie? In the following blog post, well investigate what valet parking is, how it works, and the details of how it works. 595 0 obj<>stream For example, you can schedule guests for extended stays close to each other, freeing up the rest of your lot. 0000001779 00000 n If you've ever worked in the hospitality industry, chances are you've heard the term valet parking. People with expensive cars have enough money to tip bigger! When youre ready to leave, walk over to the head valet. Keep an eye out for valet workers, as they will direct you and show you where to pull up. Additionally, a valet ensures the parking area is clean and safe. An advantage of valet parking is that it is possible to pack more cars into a given physical space, in what is generally known as "stack parking". Some places and events offer complimentary valet parking. That, unfortunately, is not at all how my first time using valet parking went. For example, in wealthy suburban areas like California's Silicon Valley, some hospitals (like Stanford University Medical Center) offer valet parking for the convenience of patients and their visitors. The biggest advantage of valet parking is that it saves time; there is no need to take a shuttle to the airport. Weve created a guide to discuss the differences between hotel stars, so you can properly market your hotel business to your customers and boost your bottom line. Be sure to select candidates with a clean driving record, exemplary customer service skills, and a strong work ethic. A valet is usually an employee of the establishment or an employee of a third-party valet service. It doesnt need the full wax service, but a wash is a good idea if its super dirty and cleaning out the McDonalds bag in the backseat will make sure you arent embarrassed to hand over the keys. Im not so sure about that bit of advice, however. Not necessarily how much to tip hotel valet should be the same as a fancy event. In this email, you will describe where you will meet the driver and you will need to dial a phone number before arriving. Just dont lose that claim ticket! Rates for valet parking insurance are based upon such factors as the type of business, whether it is operating in a private parking lot or on public property, and whether or not self-parking is an option. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Also, you might want to add in a little extra if youre going in and out of a hotel multiple times per day. Giving your entire key ring to the valet worker is also a pain for them, especially if you have an abundance of keys on your ring. 0000013558 00000 n To determine whether offering traditional room service is a profitable venture for your hotel, start by evaluating your clientele, menu, and location. 2023 parkingaccess.com All Things Parking, Find Capital One Arena Parking Garage & Alternatives for Downtown Events, How to Dispute Parking Tickets Ultimate Guide. Your email address will not be published. Understanding the core concepts of valet parking is critical to your success. Have any other suggestions for first-timers using valet parking service? Among the most important tips, valet parking is that you have some cash on hand to provide to the valet when you arrive at and leave from your destination. If youre driving a 2000 Honda Accord, youd only be tipping the valet $.30 when you drop off the car and $.30 when you pick it up. To activate your own valet parking service, follow these steps: The parking industry can be high-stakes, and anything from a small dent to a complete collision can result in your business having to pay a lot of money. 0000026893 00000 n You will need to designate a parking area before you can start looking after a guests car. 0000016262 00000 n Not only has parking space become more limited, but more people who go to restaurants, hotels, and even hospitals are willing to pay a service to park and attend to their cars. 0000004717 00000 n 0000021524 00000 n Drew says that the hourly pay for most valets is similar to that of waiters, i.e., they get paid below minimum wage (usually $4 an hour), and make most of their income from tips. Some cars come with an additional key, known as a valet key, that starts the ignition and opens the driver's side door, but prevents the valet from gaining access to valuables that are located in the trunk or the glove box.[1]. You can book on the Parkos website, where you can clearly see the cost of valet parking. For example, you might want to tip less if they were unfriendly. A good valet parking insurance plan should cover the following: General Liability: This includes personal injury as a result of your valet parking service. Some establishments may ask that their valets stay up-to-date on the business and surrounding area in the event that a guest needs questions answered. Valet parking has grown considerably in popularity within the United States over the past twenty years. So if you have somewhere to be at certain time, or you just dont want to wait around in the lobby, call the valet service ahead of time so that when youre ready to go, your car is too. Taking your keys out for the valet just mucks up the intricate ballet they have going on. An additional advantage of valet parking, aside from stacking, is that valets can park cars closer and straighter than some customers may park. Their purpose is to ensure that guests or c. A WebstaurantStore account is required to comment. Although washing the exterior of your car is not necessary, do so if your car is extremely dirty. If you keep phone cables, a GPS, cash or other electronics and expensive items in your car, move them so they're out of sight. Another circumstance of when to tip valet parking more is when you forget something in your car and ask them to bring it back for you. Do not lose this ticket or you will not be very happy. Business Insurance Calculator: Estimate Your Costs. I negotiated a larger tip with a guy who said, Well surely you can find a spot for my vehicle somewhere in the garage. He pulled out a $5 bill and said, Dont you think you can find a spot? And I said, Not for 5 bucks I cant. So I got a $20 tip from that guy and I found a spot for his car.. Not only are you responsible for the loss, but you are also responsible for lost wages as you leave with an injury. Dont take your keys out of the ignition. Always talk to the valet beforehand, but they will usually allow this. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Use-a-Parking-Valet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Parking-Valet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Use-a-Parking-Valet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid128008-v4-728px-Use-a-Parking-Valet-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"