To Tip or Not to Tip . . .

That is the question. And it’s the question I’ve gotten here more than any other over the years. Should you tip the attendants in the sleeping cars? And, of  course, the next question is How Much?

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Here’s what I think is reasonable for a passenger to expect in the way of service from a sleeping car attendant and it’s on this basis that I determine how much of a tip I’m going to give him or her at the end of the trip.

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  • Greet me when I board and direct me to my roomette. Bring my small suitcase up to me after we depart.

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  • Come to my roomette after departure and give me an orientation for the roomette; explain Amtrak’s protocol for service in the dining car and lounge car.

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  • Keep the lavatories clean and stocked with paper towels, toilet paper and dixie cups throughout the journey.

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  • Make up my berth at a time of my preference in the evening.

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  • Convert the roomette back to daytime configuration the next morning while I’m having breakfast. (My part: door closed, but curtain pulled back so he can see that I’m up and have gone to the diner for breakfast.)

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  • Check on me once during the day to see if I need anything. (A car attendant who asks if you need water several times a day is just hoping for a more generous tip  at the end of the trip.)

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  • Shortly before arriving at my destination, ask if I would like him to take my suitcase downstairs to the exit door.

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For this amount of service, delivered with a friendly-but-professional demeanor, I suggest $10 per passenger per night. For a two night trip by one person, the tip would be $20; for two people in a roomette or a bedroom, the tip would be $40.

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Finally, if your car attendant falls short in any of these areas, do not hesitate to refrain from tipping. And–worst case scenario–complain. More on how to do that effectively coming soon.