1 week Ago By Michal Roberts
For many travelers, airport lounges give an opportunity to escape, even for a little time, from the noise and hustle of terminals, as they can offer big, comfortable chairs, a glass of wine, or in some cases, even a massage. It’s a place where passengers expect peace and luxury, but definitely not a laminated, self-made card with a waiter's Venmo account information. However, this is exactly what happened to one of the Delta One Lounge guests in Los Angeles .
His experience has caused a storm on the internet, with social media users arguing whether it was just an innocent gesture or an unacceptable breach of etiquette. The aforementioned passenger has shared the story in detail on Reddit , as he was startled when the waiter gave him a card with Venmo information that was designed with the Delta One logo in the background. The comments in the thread were divided, with some going as far as saying that it was “termination-worthy” behavior.
Out of a sudden, the topic of a premium and renowned lounge has become the host of a heated discussion about the tipping culture and etiquette. But..
. what actually are the rules for tipping in premium airport lounges? Should the travelers tip for these already expensive and luxurious services, or does the initial price cover sufficient employee pay? The Incident That Caused A Storm It all began with a post on Delta Air Lines subreddit page, where a traveler shared his experience in Delta One Lounge at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). After finishing his meal and getting ready to leave, a waiter brought a DIY laminated card with his Venmo account, asking for a tip.
The card was designed with a Delta One logo in the background, suggesting that the tip is not only welcomed but even expected. Unsurprisingly, the thread has sparked a heated discussion, with some claiming it was completely understandable, comparing it to similar practices in hotels or restaurants, and others deeming it unacceptable. "I ’ve seen a couple of bartenders at Skyclubs that had a card with their Venmo/cash app for tipping.
I always tip the sky club bartenders at baseline, so I never thought much about it” – said one user. Others were much less understanding, saying, “No. Just no.
I would honestly report it. You can submit a comment/complaint, and it will get sent to the LAX leadership to handle.” However, the most controversial was the use of the Delta One logo on the self-made card, which, according to many in the comments, was a serious breach that could even justify termination.
Interestingly, this doesn’t seem to be a one-off event. On the same forum, some time ago, a photo of a tip jar went viral, as it was placed..
. in the Delta One Lounge showers. A place that is considered to be one of the most premium lounges, accessible for first-class passengers and invite-only 360 members, has become a place of tacky battles for tips, and discussions about the line between good gestures and distasteful nagging.
How Did Delta Air Lines Respond? Delta Air Lines has been clear about its policy regarding tipping workers in the Delta Sky Club or the Delta One Lounge. They can accept tips from guests, but in no case can they demand or request them. In a conversation with the New York Post , Delta’s representative added that “ Any situation where an employee solicits a tip, whether it is with a paper card or verbally, is not allowed.
” It’s important to outline that all Delta Lounge employees are employed directly by the airline. However, some lounges are contracted to other companies, such as Compass or Sodexo, which can have their own internal rules regarding the tipping process. For example, their workers can give the guests their ‘tip account’ details, but only on request.
The incident in the Delta One Lounge at LAX, where the waiter gave the customer his Venmo details with a Delta logo, has sparked many controversies. For many, the line was crossed when the worker used Delta’s logo, which the airline confirmed as a breach of their policy. Such actions can confuse guests by suggesting that giving tips is encouraged by Delta, which is far from the truth.
The airline's newest lounge solidifies its luxury offering, which seems to be a principle for the carrier. What Is The Tipping Culture In Airport Lounges? Although tips are not as commonly expected in airport lounges as in other establishments, they are always welcomed with a smile. This is especially true in the United States, where the overall tipping culture is the most prevalent compared to other countries.
In airport bars, a good rule is to leave $1 or $2 per drink served. However, lounges that have open bars will not be particularly picky about getting the tips. In the case of meals served at airport lounges, guests can choose to tip a percentage of the bill, just like in a restaurant.
When meals are included in the lounge membership, they should not be expected and should only be brought up after guests' request. These will generally be in the 15-20% bill value range, in terms of SPA services, which some lounges offer at no extra cost, and tips of five to ten dollars are not uncommon, according to Reddit users. Outside the US, however, tips in airport lounges are very uncommon.
Generally, the tipping culture in, for example, Europe is much different from that in the states; the waiter will not expect more than between five and 10 percent of the bill value. “US tipping culture is nuts and the people who fully buy into it are even worse,” said one of the comments under the Delta's Reddit thread. But some also criticized Delta directly, saying that the airline should cover all the expenses, including the expected tip.
“I find this trashy as f*** for delta. You pay a fortune for tickets, and delta makes billions in profits and still asks customers to subsidize their labor costs,” another explained. The USA vs.
The Rest Of The World The tipping culture in the United States is much different from that in other parts of the world, as tips are most often expected rather than earned. This extends to places where services such as meals, massages, or drinks are included in the entry price, like in airport lounges. Although tipping in airport lounges should never be expected, it’s not unusual to see a few dollars left per drink served.
Some choose to tip a larger amount upfront to receive more attentive service. In Europe, however, the situation is very different. Tips are considered optional and will never be required by servers, as most often, the service is included in the price.
In countries like France or Germany, 10% is considered generous, and some regions, like Scandinavia, rarely see any tips added to the bill. In Asia, tips are even more uncommon, while in Japan, they can reportedly be considered to be rude. For people traveling, it is important to get accustomed to local rules.
If unsure whether tips are welcome, it’s good practice to observe others or simply ask the staff. In most cases, however, tipping in airport lounges will not be necessary, but can be a nice gesture and recognition of good service. Airport lounges can be an exciting place, but there could be lots you're missing out on.
Delta Air Lines Modern And Luxurious Lounges Delta Air Lines is one of the largest airlines in the United States, and it's not a surprise that they offer many premium services across the world. The Sky Club is a brand of modern and luxurious airport lounges that passengers can use before their flights . They have over 50 locations around the world, with the biggest ones being in the airline’s key airports, such as New York and Atlanta.
According to Delta Air Lines, passengers who choose to spend their time in the lounge can expect top-level service, with relaxation areas, buffets with freshly prepared food, quiet workspaces, and even SPAs and showers. Some lounges also offer laundry and cleaning services. List of all Sky Club Lounge locations in the USA City Airport Code Location Austin AUS Barbara Jordan (Main) Terminal (near Gate A4) Boston BOS Main Terminal (Gate A6), Satellite Terminal (Gate A18 by Starbucks), International Terminal (near Gate E13) Charlotte CLT Concourse A, mezzanine level, near gate A32 Chicago ORD Terminal 5, Concourse M (between Gates M14 and M11) Cincinnati CVG Main Terminal, Concourse B (near Gate B14) Dallas/Fort Worth DFW Terminal E (between Gates E10 and E11) Denver DEN Main Terminal, Concourse A (fourth floor, center core) Detroit DTW Concourse A (second level at Express Tram South Station across from Gate A18), Concourse A (at gate level, across from Gate A43), Concourse A (second level at Express Tram North Station across from Gate A68), Concourse C (at gate level near the entrance to Concourse C), Gate level at the link (across from Gate A38) Fort Lauderdale FLL Main Atrium (between Gates D2 and D3) Milwaukee MKE Concourse D (across from Great American Bagel and Bakery) Atlanta ATL Domestic Terminal, Concourse A (in the center on the second level), Concourse B (near gate B18), Concourse C (near gate C37), Concourse D (near the food court between gates D18 and D21), International Terminal, Concourse E (across from gate E15), International Terminal, Concourse F (Mezzanine Level), Domestic Terminal, Concourse T (near gate T6) Honolulu HNL Main Concourse (across from Gate F1) Indianapolis IND Concourse A (immediately after security and before Starbucks) Jacksonville JAX Concourse A (right after Chili’s and the Day Spa) New York JFK Terminal 4, Concourse A (near gate A8), Terminal 4, Concourse B (near gate 31) Kansas City MCI B Gates, Right side of CenterPoint, next to Auntie Anne’s LaGuardia LGA Terminal C, to the left of the security checkpoint exit, Terminal C, near Gate 81 Los Angeles LAX Terminal 2 (Mezzanine Level), Terminal 3 Sky Way New Orleans MSY Concourse C (near Gate 1) Memphis MEM Terminal B (Adjacent to B Security Checkpoint in B/C Connector) Miami MIA South Terminal, Airside (in the H and J Connector, left of H Concourse Security) Minneapolis–Saint Paul MSP F/G Concourse (entrance located at the beginning of the F Concourse), G Concourse (near Gates 17 and 18), Terminal 1, Concourse C (next to Gate C12) Nashville BNA Main Terminal, Airside (adjacent to gate B3) Newark EWR Terminal A (near Gate A8) Orlando MCO Airside 4 (center atrium area near Gate 71) Palm Beach PBI Concourse C (opposite Gate 4) Phoenix PHX Terminal 3 (near Gate F8) Philadelphia PHL Near Terminal D/E connector Portland PDX Concourse D (between Gates D5 and D7) Raleigh–Durham RDU Terminal 2 (second level, across from Gate C3) Washington DC DCA Concourse B (above Gate 15) Salt Lake City SLC Concourse A, Level 2, east of the new airport plaza San Diego SAN Across from the security checkpoint, Mezzanine Level, above Sunset Cove San Francisco SFO Terminal 1 (near Gate C3) Anchorage ANC South Terminal Seattle SEA Concourse A (near Gate 1) Tampa TPA Concourse E (near Gate 68) For passengers flying in first class, the airline has created an even more premium offering.
Delta One Lounge, such as the one in LAX discussed earlier, offers a range of wellness and dining services. Meals and drinks are often à la carte, and everything is included in the ticket price. Access to Delta One is only available with a first-class ticket or for “360” invite-only club members, who are usually the most loyal customers.
Tipping Controversies And Lounge Access Rules Delta’s lounge network is an exclusive service provided to travelers at selected airports. In the United States, access is available to American Express Platinum and Delta Reserve credit card holders; However, since February 2025, it has been restricted to a limited number of entries annually. The recent viral Delta One Lounge controversy has sparked many heated discussions, with passengers asking about how premium the service actually is.
After passengers expressed their thoughts, the waiter's behavior of providing guests with his Venmo details was deemed inappropriate. The airline’s representative has stated that the tipping policy will be better communicated with workers, which states that tips can be received but not pursued in any way..
