Automatic Gratuity for use of credit card at a bar

[AccruedExpenditure]

Let me start this off by saying I'm a generous tipper... I often tip upwards of 20-25 percent at restaurants...

Last night I went to a bar, ordered 4 Long Island Ice Teas, handed over my card and was shocked to see an automatic 15 percent gratuity added to the bill. Mind you the drinks were themselves were 12 dollars each (fffuuuu)... not a big deal but it's not something I've seen before. When I asked the bartender why the gratuity was added she informed me that it was policy the for credit cards payments...

Is this allowed?

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: AccruedExpenditure
Let me start this off by saying I'm a generous tipper... I often tip upwards of 20-25 percent at restaurants...

Last night I went to a bar, ordered 4 Long Island Ice Teas, handed over my card and was shocked to see an automatic 15 percent gratuity added to the bill. Mind you the drinks were themselves were 12 dollars each (fffuuuu)... not a big deal but it's not something I've seen before. When I asked the bartender why the gratuity was added she informed me that it was policy the for credit cards payments...

Is this allowed?

Sure it's allowed as long as they tell you they're doing it... I suppose it's not much different than restaurants charging x for large parties.

With that said, you should have told the lady that it was 10% less than you would have tipped

 

[her209]

Another reason why you shouldn't pay with credit cards at a club.

 

[NFS4]

Fuck that. If they're gonna do shit like that, she should have told you when you handed her the card or a sign should have been posted.

 

[AmdEmAll]

If it was a tab they do this because half the people that use credit cards get wasted and forget to cash out at the end of the night leaving the bartender with no tip. Ive done it a few times.

 

[LS21]

15 percent on bar tabs is cheaper than i would tip manually.. so it would work better than me. i usually pay by card so i wont have to get a 3$ bill and leave a 1$ cash tip..but i end up tipping high on the card anyway


btw it was better if we didnt have to tip or tip so much like in europe... obligatory comment

 

[summit]

Originally posted by: LS21
15 percent on bar tabs is cheaper than i would tip manually.. so it would work better than me. i usually pay by card so i wont have to get a 3$ bill and leave a 1$ cash tip..but i end up tipping high on the card anyway


btw it was better if we didnt have to tip or tip so much like in europe... obligatory comment

europeans don't tip well!

 

[DrPizza]

Since a mixed drink around here is $2.50 to $4.00, and a bottle of beer is $1.50 to $2.50, I'd feel bad for the bartender if they only got 15%

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Since a mixed drink around here is $2.50 to $4.00, and a bottle of beer is $1.50 to $2.50, I'd feel bad for the bartender if they only got 15%

IMO once they take the tip from you, they don't need nor deserve anything more.

æ

 

[Amused]

I guarantee they have a sign posted, though you'd have to look for it.

Most bars will have this policy for CC tabs left and not closed out. They'll close them out with a 15% tip and hold the card for the owner.