Tipping limo driver.

On a $70 fare long distance like that (well, reasonable distance), with dogs and bags, I'd almost be inclined to bite the bullet and give the driver $100 total. That's still a bargain for that trip all things considered. If times are tough for you, then $85 - $90 total is probably appropriate... but given it's a limo, my guess is that the $30 tip will be well appreciated by the driver... you might find your return trip (if required) to be a bit more special - e.g. you might even be able to negotiate a free ride up and down the strip etc....

If there are a number of you travelling, this is even more of a bargain. E.g. 4 people in the limo = only $25 each. Cheap.

Thanks everyone. I was getting the rate of the limo from the other ladies. They didn't realize that the charge was by the hour with a 2 hour minimum and that was actually the price for a car that seats 3 and there is 5 of us. When I explained to them the actual cost was 150+ without tip 1 way they were shocked. These are older ladies that have never been to Vegas. We've decided to rent a van and split the cost. I will chauffeur them and we will go into Vegas a couple of times. We are all happy with this decision.

Sounds like a plan to me Cancer Chic. A van is much cheaper than the other options.

Yes through Alamo $276 and I will keep checking the price. I told them we will hit walmart for water, sodas, snacks etc. Like I said we keep our costs as low as possible.

The proper tip for a cab ride is 15-20%? Is there some type of source for this, like a respected expert on etiquette? I am all in favor of tipping for good service, but that seems very high to me.

Seems about right to me.

$1.50-2.00 on a $10.00 fare is high? What would you tip?

Here ya go

Well, itipping.com isn't what I was looking for, since it does not even purport to be by experts, or even provide any sources for the amounts quoted.

And no, I don't think that $1.50-$2.00 is high for a $10.00 cab ride. I do think, however, that $7.50-$10.00 on a $50.00 ride is too high.

Keep in mind that, unlike restaurant servers, cab drivers aren't paid sub-minimum wages. A $50.00 cab ride takes what, 20 minutes? An $8.00 tip equates to $24 an hour just for the tip! Depending on the situation, the cab driver probably also gets to keep at least half of the fare.

To me, a $50.00 fare is worth a $5.00 tip, maybe a couple dollars more if the service was especially good.

Before anyone starts calling me a cheapskate, I typically tip close to 20% on a good meal, including the price of drinks. I think that's only fair, since the server is only making $2.18 an hour.

I just don't think that a ride in a dirty car with a surly/uncommunicative driver is worth a 15-20% tip.

When poker was first legalized here in South Florida, tipping the dealers was "ridiculous" in many instances.

The "original" law limited the pot size to $10.00. The house collected a $0.25 rake/ante per hand, plus $1.00 per pot for the "Royal Flush progressives". The big royal would often exceed $50 - $60K, and at times was $100K +. (The specific suit, other RF paid $1199 or up, depending on the room)

For some reason, many of the public was convinced that when hitting the RF, the dealer deserved 10%. Many people also tipped $1.00 per hand or more per pot. A $10.00 pot.

The game was impossible to beat, even for the most skillful of players. The only reason to play was the often high RF jackpot. In those days, the dealers received something like $6.00/hr + 90% of their tip boxes. The other 10% went to floor people when they cashed out their tips. They were also "expected" to tip the cashier $3.00/shift.

Now, with higher stakes and rake (10% $5.00 max + $2.00 promotions drop), the dealers still "expect", and often receive 10% on those high hands promo's, etc, and often more than $1.00 per pot.

Even in the low limit games.

The regular or frequent players often arrive by walking, bus, or older car. When the dealers go home, they hop into their late model BMW's, and other "nicer than normal" vehicles.

My point?

None.

Some who work for tips deserve decent hourly earnings. Others don't. And still others make significantly more money than the uneducated person ever suspects.