With Mobile Tipping, Hoteliers Aim To Ease Housekeeper Staffing Problems

In a near-cashless society, hotels are finally catching up to other industries that allow for digital tipping, and that could help ease staffing shortages.

While most customers are used to tipping when they receive a service, such as for food delivery or a car valet, not everyone is aware that tipping housekeepers is also customary.

Fewer people carrying cash on trips also means housekeepers have been missing out on tips.

The rise in online payment services and apps has created opportunity for hotel companies to integrate these platforms, and hotel executives believe this extra compensation for employees could help with hiring and retention.How They Work

Noble House Hotels & Resorts has been integrating a third-party digital tipping platform at several of its properties, said Stefan Mühle, vice president and regional managing director. The integration started with the Argonaut Hotel and Hotel Zoe Fisherman's Wharf, which are both in San Francisco, and Noble House has been rolling it out to other hotels one at a time.

Guestrooms have cards with QR codes on them that show the name and, optionally, a picture of the housekeeper responsible for the room, he said. Guests can scan the QR codes with their phones to leave a tip.