What Is an Appropriate Tip for an Airport Wheelchair Attendant?

My wife got COVID last March and though she recovered, she still has symptoms, one of which is shortness of breath. We're planning a trip to Las Vegas for a family Thanksgiving and I'm thinking through all the possible variables. One I need help with is the appropriate tip for a wheelchair attendant in the airports. What do your travel experts consider a good tip for the wheelchair handler?

When it comes to tipping, we're all our own experts. But here are a few aspects for you to consider.

Wheelchair services at all airports in the U.S. are complimentary. The cost is picked up by the public-service provider (in this case, the airport) to ensure that everyone who comes through its doors has equal access and isn't unfairly penalized for it. Equal access is also a guarantee of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The wheelchair attendants are usually employees of contractors to the airport authority and are rarely paid much above minimum wage. Even knowing that, it still boils down to what the wheelchair attendant actually does and what kind of tipper the user of his or her services is.

Some people believe that since this service is required by law, no tip is necessary, no matter what. Others are extremely charitable by nature and tip generously. The typical range is somewhere in between. (This writer falls in the latter group, so the following numbers might seem benevolent or even lavish to the former group.)

We’d say it depends on time spent and distance covered. If one attendant simply wheels you off the airplane and hands you off to another at the gate, then from nothing to a buck or two is probably appropriate. Same with being wheeled onto the airplane by a gate attendant.

If the attendant wheels you from the gate to the baggage area in a small airport, $5 is probably plenty. But if it's a big airport and a long way to baggage claim (such as McCarran), $10 might be more appropriate. Also, if a wheelchair attendant has to wait for luggage or for a car at passenger pickup, then time should be factored in.

For example, if the attendant spends a half-hour with you, you might think that $10-$15 is appropriate, with $20 an hour as the criterion. Keep in mind that the attendant also spends some time getting to and from his/her duty station, so perhaps add another 10 minutes for the round trip into your calculations.

This writer’s mother is 96 and right up to the pandemic, she took at least one airplane trip per year on her own. Of course, she was wheeled in a chair all the way from the drop-off curb to her airline seat and vice versa.

She reports that one time, the wheelchair attendant (in Atlanta) picked her up at the gate, wheeled her to baggage, waited with her till the luggage showed up, retrieved it from the carousel, and helped her to the curb. She looked in her purse and was horrified to see that she had only a $5 bill. When she handed it to the attendant, he acted like it was the most bounteous tip he'd ever received. On the other hand, another time (at JFK), she had only a $10 bill and the attendant who’d spent two minutes getting her from baggage claim to passenger pickup seemed insulted when she gave it to him.

As always in tipping situations, it depends on the individuals (the tipper and the tipped), the circumstances, the airport, and the service. Whatever you decide, we highly recommend you have plenty of various denomination bills on hand, so you’re prepared for every eventuality.

But the way we look at it, an extra $5 or $10 probably means little to you as you take your family vacation in Las Vegas (or plan on playing 100 times that amount, or more, at the tables or slots). But it can make a world of difference to the minimum-wage service person whose efforts improve the quality of your life -- and your wife's. Bring some fives, tens, and twenties and pass around some good feelings.

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Jackie Sep-28-2021

Well said

As the QoD says;
Distance
Time 
Waiting time
Quality of service akin to his mother's experience all the way in and out.
But the one quality not mentioned was ATTITUDE.
The good attitudes far outweigh the the bad ones, but the bad ones literally frighten you.
Never feel like you can't call for help, even from other travelers.

However, in your case, you will most likely be her "motor" (no tip but a kiss required).

As for her shortness of breath, a Doctor once told me to always breath in through the nose and out with the mouth.  Surprised me that it worked.

Donzack Sep-28-2021

Affordable

If you have a little more give a little more. If their service is exceptional give an exceptional tip. I can’t give singles to an adult anymore. I go to Chase bank and get two dollar bills. It always brings a smile and a comment from the recipient. I worked at O’hare for two years and I don’t think I saw fifty percent of wheelchair assistants get tips. Time spent, service and attitude. Give what you can afford.

MeBlonde Sep-28-2021

$100

On my first trip to Las Vegas, solo, I read a travel book that said "Las Vegas is a tipping town. Bring $100 for tips. $20 in ones, $30 in fives and $50 in tens. Worked so well, I never felt I over or under tipped. Also got a big laugh seeing a person who thought I was a dumb lady tourist when I did the math and tipped a fare amount.

John Lopez Sep-28-2021

Wheel chair attendant tip

As a former limo driver, I would occasionally pick up people that would need wheel chair assistance. They would whelk them to the car, the typical tip was $20, but I’ve seen as high as $100 if it was an Emirates flight, as they got complementary car service with a business class or higher, those passengers would most likely tip me as opposed to the regular business accounts we had, I can only assume because they weren’t traveling for business. The time I saw the wheel chair attendant get a $100 tip, they stiffed me. In all fairness our company policy was tipping wasn’t required, but I found it ironic, I drove them 2 hours to their destination, and the wheel chair attendant was with them for a few minutes. 

Sorry for the long rant.

Bumbug Sep-28-2021

good advice

I understand those who feel that people who provide services are being paid and thus tips shouldn't be necessary. They're right, but also wrong. The world in which we live has created a system where companies can pay their people only the lowest amount possible and depend on the public they serve to help them achieve a living wage. Because of that I've always felt that if I'm lucky enough to be able to afford to participate in whatever activity requires the assistance of service people, I can afford to reward them for the help they provide. A trip to Vegas isn't cheap, even with comp'd rooms, etc., and tipping generously isn't going to break the bank for me. I figure that my tip may make a difference in that person's life in some small way, and it's good karma for me.

Llew Sep-28-2021

Tips

Before I had both knees and both hips replaced (hey! I’m bionic! 😄), I always used wheelchairs at the airport. If the attendant just took me from the baggage check-in, thru security and to the gate, I tipped $10. If they waited for me at the restroom and/or helped me get food, I doubled it. 
If they had picked me up at the rental car shuttle, I added $5. 
I’m very lucky that, through hard work and rather frugal living, I’m comfortable financially. However, this hasn’t always been the case. I grew up poor and worked my way through college in jobs in which most of my income depended on tips.  I know how much a good tip is appreciated. It was recognition for the great service I provided. It also helped pay the bills!  Now I just try to pay it forward. 
I know some people don’t agree with tipping, but the system is not the employees’ fault. Just thing how you would feel if, after doing a great job at work, you received only minimum wage.

Dave in Seattle. Sep-28-2021

Just a buck?

I'm a 2 dollar tipper, too.2, 4, 6, 8.

Doc H Sep-28-2021

Abolish tipping

"But it can make a world of difference to the minimum-wage service person whose efforts improve the quality of your life"

Well sure, but lots of people have jobs that are low min wage range, and they do indeed do work just as hard to improve "all of our lives", yet don't get tips. Think someone who cleans bathrooms. Sweeps the floors. Someone who works in customer service at a retail store or via phone and gets yelled at all day, etc. Countless low paying jobs are like that, zero tips. Rewarding "efforts" that "improve the quality of your life" are sure lopsided. In the end, I'm of the mind companies should add in the "tip" to the wage and stop the tip nonsense and adopt that practice that's used in many other nations. The customer ends up paying it one way or another in the end so why not?

Vegas Days Dec-09-2023

This is my job

I push wheelchairs. The most common tip is $5, 10 and 20. Occasionally, a person doesn't tip, or gives $2. The lowest tip if all your needs were met and the person was pleasant and helpful is $5. If you can afford it, $10. Many people tip $20. Occasionally, a person tips 40, 60, 100+, but that is a very generous person. Anything 20 and over is generous. This is 2023.

Question of the Day - 28 September 2021

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