Parking attendants are one of the most overlooked service workers when it comes to tipping. Whether it's a garage attendant who retrieved your car quickly or a valet who parallel-parked in a tight spot, knowing when and how much to tip makes a real difference.
| Situation | Tip Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard garage / lot attendant | $2–3 |
| Valet — drop off only | $0–2 |
| Valet — car retrieval | $3–5 |
| Valet at upscale restaurant / hotel | $5–10 |
| Attendant who helped with luggage | $2–3 extra |
| Long-term airport parking attendant | $2–3 |
| Attendant who went above and beyond | $5–10 |
Tipping parking attendants is customary in the US, especially for valet services. For self-park garages with a booth attendant who just takes payment, tipping is optional. But for valets who physically handle your car, tip at car retrieval — that's the moment they've delivered the service.
Most etiquette experts recommend tipping at pick-up, not drop-off, since that's when service is complete. However, tipping $1–2 at drop-off at a busy venue can signal good faith and often results in better care for your vehicle. If you can only tip once, tip at retrieval.
Always tip parking attendants in cash. Most parking operations don't have a card-based tip system for attendants, and even when they do, cash reaches the worker immediately without any processing delay or management taking a cut.
Tip $2–3 for standard garage attendants and $3–5 for valet retrieval. At upscale restaurants or hotels, $5 is a solid baseline for valet service.
Tip at pick-up — that's when the service is complete and the attendant has safely returned your car. Tipping at drop-off is optional but can result in extra care.
For self-park garages where you take your own ticket, tipping is not expected. For attended garages where someone parks your car, $2–3 is appropriate.
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