Gratuities on LD trips

Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Status
Not open for further replies.
N

New traveler

Guest
Hi -

I am taking an epic adventure soon -

Lake Shore Limited NY to Chicago
Empire Builder Chicago to Seattle
Coast Starlight Seattle to LA
Southwest Chief LA to Chicago
Cardinal Chicago to NY
(spending a few days in Seattle and LA to break things up)

What are the expected / customary gratuities for sleeper car stewards on these trips? It is usually the same steward for the entire leg, or do they change during the leg?

Thanks
 
You'll keep the same sleeping car attendant (Amtrak's name for a sleeper car steward - it's also often abbreviated as SCA) throughout each leg - they don't change during that leg of the trip. Opinions vary wildly on what's an acceptable tip, although the most common figures I've seen range between $5-$10/night for quality service, up to about $20/night for exceptional service. That said, Amtrak staff are paid a standard wage (not a minimal "tipped wage" as is common in restaurants) so a gratuity should not be seen as an obligation, but rather a token of appreciation for quality service.

EDIT TO ADD: Many people also tip when using the dining car or having meals delivered to their room. In these cases, two common ways people tip is by doing a set tip for each meal (often $2 for breakfast, $3 for lunch, and $5 for dinner) or tipping as they would at a restaurant. If you have meals delivered to your room and wish to tip, you'd typically tip your SCA when they deliver the meal. That said, the dining car staff is also paid a standard wage, not a "tipped wage," and these should similarly be seen as a token of appreciation for quality service rather than an obligation.
 
Last edited:
You'll keep the same sleeping car attendant (Amtrak's name for a sleeper car steward - it's also often abbreviated as SCA) throughout each leg - they don't change during that leg of the trip. Opinions vary wildly on what's an acceptable tip, although the most common figures I've seen range between $5-$10/night for quality service, up to about $20/night for exceptional service. That said, Amtrak staff are paid a standard wage (not a minimal "tipped wage" as is common in restaurants) so a gratuity should not be seen as an obligation, but rather a token of appreciation for quality service.

EDIT TO ADD: Many people also tip when using the dining car or having meals delivered to their room. In these cases, two common ways people tip is by doing a set tip for each meal (often $2 for breakfast, $3 for lunch, and $5 for dinner) or tipping as they would at a restaurant. If you have meals delivered to your room and wish to tip, you'd typically tip your SCA when they deliver the meal. That said, the dining car staff is also paid a standard wage, not a "tipped wage," and these should similarly be seen as a token of appreciation for quality service rather than an obligation.
I do the exact same thing as jebr.

The only thing I can add is I do not "pre-tip", aka "bribe" the SCA soon after boarding as some advocate. I tip at the end of the journey with that attendant. My standards for minimum service meriting at tip is putting down the berth at the time I request, within reason (10 or before), putting up the berth usually while I am at breakfast, being reasonably present in the car.

I am not afraid to stiff a bad SCA, that includes not putting down berths at all, commanding the time that they will put down berths ("if you want me to put down the bed, I am doing it at 7"), never being in the car.
 
What are the expected / customary gratuities for sleeper car stewards

jebr's suggest gratuity amounts for Sleeping Car Attendants are what I offer. More often $10/night than $20. Never $5/night. My service was not that disappointing that I tipped that amount.

For at table service in the dining car (I have not traveled on Amtrak, other than on the Auto Train, since the "new flex meals" concept began), I tip as I would do at a restaurant depending upon the quality of service. I usually try to leave a small gratuity for the Lounge/Cafe car attendant. Maybe a $1/drink; more if I buy a bottle of wine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top