The hospitality industry is deeply rooted in the guest experience. For the modern traveler, hotels provide much more than just a place to lay their head; rather, they provide an experience that can make or break a trip. This is why general managers and hoteliers alike regard their guest’s experiences with the utmost importance. hotel digital tipping

From high-speed internet to smart room technology, hotels are accustomed to meeting the ever-evolving needs of travelers. Modern travelers expect convenience and ease, and in many ways, hotels meet these expectations. However, there seems to be one area that the hospitality industry still approaches in an outdated way: tipping.

In an increasingly cashless society, it’s not likely that guests will have cash on hand to leave gratuities for your employees. Grazzy’s 2022 Traveler Survey found that 83% of guests want to tip hotel employees but don’t have cash on hand to do so. This creates an awkward, double-tap-on-empty-pockets moment for your guests; over 50% of respondents said they feel embarrassed or frustrated when this happens. The survey also found that 98% of guests would use their phone to leave a digital tip if they had the option to do so. Providing a way for guests to quickly and securely tip your employees for a job well done, all while fitting seamlessly into your curated guest experience, is key.

Digital Tipping Leader Grazzy Wins Hilton Partnership hotel digital tipping

After bringing digital tipping to more than 100 Hilton-branded locations in 2023, Hilton Hotels & Resorts confirmed that Grazzy meets its brand standards for exceptional guest experiences. Grazzy is now a preferred partner for the Hilton collection of properties.

Grazzy’s ability to quickly and securely scale across hotel brands and hotel operators’ portfolios has now helped the company win this type of recognition from all four major hotel brands, and it is the only digital tipping service to do so.

Because the major brands determined that Grazzy meets stringent software security and brand experience standards, large operators like Hotel Equities, Crestline Hotels, Dimension Hospitality, and many others have in turn tapped Grazzy to support rapidly scaling digital tipping programs. Grazzy’s ability to fully launch digital tipping programs in about 30 days, and then optimize program performance down to the level of individual locations makes the company a valuable partner as operators expand digital payment options for guests.

The digital tipping platform provides hotel guests with a simple way to tip without cash and without requiring an app download or account setup. Available payment methods range from credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or even charge-to-room options. Guests also have the option to provide real-time feedback that can be connected to user-generated content travel review websites.

“The stage is set for digital tipping to become commonplace in 2024. Hotels and many other types of service-focused businesses recognize the importance of tips as a competitive tool in a tight labor market,” said Russ Lemmer, Grazzy CEO. “But these businesses also need simple tools to help allocate earnings, automate tax preparation, and manage the success of digital tipping solutions within their businesses. Grazzy has approached the hospitality market as a collaborative disruptor, maximizing the value that Grazzy provides to hourly team members, operators, and guests.”

By making cashless tips simple for guests, Grazzy helps guest-facing employees earn as much as $1–2 more per hour. They can then access their earnings instantly with Grazzy Direct, a same-day payout option that allows employees to move money and begin spending the very same day.

In the back office, Grazzy provides IRS tip income-compliant reporting that is kept continually up-to-date, simplifying payroll processes for complex businesses. The platform also provides detailed program performance metrics to help hotel brands, operators, and individual locations maximize the value their guests and employees get from digital tipping.

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