The way things are going I'm half tempted to get a speeding ticket just to see if there's a gratuity line on it above the signature line.

I picked up three large subs for my crew on the way to work last Friday. $49 with tax and tip.

First time I've run into one of these in a hotel room...thought of this thread.

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I'm currently on a business trip. We were too tired to do the whole dinner thing so my coworker and I ordered some take out from a decent restaurant. Mandatory 20% tip automatically added on all takeout orders.

I always tip for this type of takeout order. I understand someone has to take the time to put it all together, bag it up, ring it up, etc. But I think a mandatory 20% for takeout is a bit much.

Vail, CO. Also ran into it in other CO mountain towns, but it was 10% or less there.

Here’s a new one: a mandatory 3% “Kitchen and Brewer Appreciation Charge”. Points for creativity I guess.

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This is the bill they bring you before they take your card and hand you the tablet to tip the server. Of course the pre-selected percentages start at 20%.

Here's another new one I encountered the other day...an "Admin Fee". No idea what it was; not enough to be worth arguing over. The tip screen was next, of course. Food sucked anyway; won't be going back.

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I agree with everything you (and others above) have said. Unfortunately, I travel for a living, and bringing five days' worth of food with me just isn't practical. So I'm a captive audience when it comes to eating out in that situation. My wife and I haven't eaten out in 4+ years. I've upped my cooking game during that time, so my food is usually better, cheaper, and there aren't any hidden fees!

I have the choice of actual expenses or per diem. Usually the per diem wins, aside from extremely expensive places or very short trips. In the case above, I was buying lunch for myself, a coworker, and a friend, so that one was on me.

According to my coworker who took an Uber ride yesterday, there is now a "NY Employee Benefit" percentage charged on Uber rides that involve that state. I didn't ask for the details.

This isn't new. I remember paying this while there on business at my previous job, pre-covid. I believe the restaurant called it a "California Cost of Doing Business" fee.

Got me again! Place I've never been to before. 5% "kitchen appreciation". I also like how the "suggested tip" *starts* at 20%. Won't be going back--food was good, service was not. There were other issues too.

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