Comments on: Am I too cheap to check a bag?

By: polyalida

polyalida — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:25:05 +0000

I’ve never been known to travel light! And also believe in the “if you packed it, you lug it” and I do. Hotel staff may glare – though I’ve never really taken notice – but I get my own luggage to my room. I hate watching it disappear without me and arrive who knows when. Maybe they just figure I’d be a lousy tipper anyways (I’m not!) Happy travels to you!

By: yosithezet

yosithezet — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:22:12 +0000

$5? I tip bellhops THB 20 in BKK and INR 30-50 in India. If carrying my bag between the Westin and Sheraton on Sukhumvit then I tip THB 100 to the one that carried it from one hotel and another THB 20 to the one that brings it to my room at the other hotel.

By: boxo

boxo — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:43:09 +0000

I *love* mpw81′s air guitar comment.

By: MatthewLAX

MatthewLAX — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:58:10 +0000

I’m in PHL this week with four pieces of baggage. My two checked wheelies are attached with my duffel bag on top and my laptop bag in the other hand. No bother from the concierge at Loews.

You should be fine as long as you can easily carry all your bags yourself.

By: Ace

Ace — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:28:57 +0000

Who cares what the bellhops think. Lug your own bags, and enjoy the stay.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:14:46 +0000

“I don’t feel like giving someone $5 for the privilege of having my bag delayed. If I did I’d just start tipping rampers.”

I LOL’d this one… and that’s coming from a former ramp rat.

By: chitownflyer

chitownflyer — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:45:29 +0000

Lucky, I usually get into the city with public transport upon arriving at my international destination, so I have some distance to walk to the hotel or a possible short cab ride from the train station. If the bellhop tries to take my bags, I politely tell them that I just walked from the train station, so I can handle my bags for the short distance to my room. If arriving by cab, I tell them I am fine to handle my bags. In Japan, I let the staff handle my bags as tips are not expected. In short, my advice is to check a bag, so you can bring back all of your amenity kits.

By: Vagabond Jim

Vagabond Jim — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:07:43 +0000

You can easily carry/wheel all those bags yourself. Plus, you write “we” so have your travel mate put your laptop on their rollaboard and you can pull 2 rollaboards.

Who cares if the bell staff is miffed at your choice to haul your own bags?

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:37:32 +0000

Yeah, I think you’re too cheap. I don’t think you’re worried about the tip ($5 for a bag is a bit much, in my experience – $2/bag). Moreover, you probably would pack light and be able to carry all three of your bags up to the room. If you’re in a midnight situation, tell them either to walk up with you with the bag, or you’ll take it yourself (I hate when bags take forever to come up..usually a bigger problem with group moves).

Have fun!

By: gobluetwo

gobluetwo — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:09:22 +0000

Assuming most or all of your carryon items (not your laptop bag) can be consolidated into your suitcase, you could have just one bag + laptop bag. Or, replace your standard carryon rollaboard with a smaller duffle. Duffle + backpack + suitcase is easily doable for one person, with one hand still free.