Stacey Wittig, a travel writer friend who runs the travel blog Unstoppable Stacey, recently posted on Facebook about a scam travelers should watch out for when dining out, no matter where they are.
While traveling through Miami International Airport (MIA), Stacey ordered a beer from Bacardi Mojito Bar and shared that she was in “CULTURE SHOCK” after paying $15.74 for a 16 oz Bud Light at the airport. The steep price could be a story in itself, as she mentioned, “I asked for a tall, but got a pint in a cheap plastic cup.”
However, the real issue is that an 18% tip was automatically added to the bill, with a space for an additional tip. Stacey called it “a SCAM for those not paying attention.” See photo above.
Stacey is absolutely right. This is a scam and it’s a tactic many restaurants try to pull on travelers who might be distracted, tired or unfamiliar with the prices.
No matter where you’re traveling, it’s crucial to check the prices beforehand and even take a picture of the menu. Some restaurants and bars are known to use the old switcheroo, offering one menu with lower prices and another with inflated prices, just in case you challenge the charge later.
Unfortunately, in the U.S., where tipping culture has become excessive, restaurants and bars like Bacardi Mojito Bar try to sneak in charges by altering the wording. In the bill above, you can see they added an 18% gratuity and left a line for an additional tip.
Out of curiosity, I looked up the difference between gratuity and a tip. Turns out, they’re pretty much the same thing. The only difference is that “gratuity” can sometimes mean an automatic charge added to the bill, especially in restaurants. A “tip” is usually something you give voluntarily. But, either way, it’s extra money for the service.
The problem is, if the restaurant doesn’t share the gratuity with the staff, the waitstaff ends up getting shortchanged and many people don’t even notice or leave an extra tip. Personally, I know I wouldn’t.
Stacey, who frequently travels internationally, shared that, “in Spain, a caña (draft beer) is 2-3 Euro ($2.10-$3.13) and typically comes with complementary tapas, such as potato chips, a nut mix, or a slice of Spanish tortilla. It’s cheerfully served in a no-tipping hospitality system.”
Her Facebook friends agree. Here are some of the comments: “Miami is an expensive city, and airports are always more expensive. While it’s customary to include gratuity in checks here, most places will note an ‘additional’ tip. This check is definitely misleading!”
Another friend said, “I can’t order drinks here after spending time in Spain.” One commenter joked, “Makes you want to quit drinking! Highway robbery.”
Another suggested a solution: “Yep, welcome to American airports. If you travel a lot, it’s worth getting a club membership. Beers in the American Airlines club cost the same as a tip ($1-2).”
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How is it a “SCAM” if it’s clearly written on the bill? And she said it herself, “for those not paying attention.” A seasoned traveler (or anyone) should always, always look at a restaurant bill before paying. And if they’re adding the gratuity, no way I’m leaving an additional tip, unless the server is exceptional, in which case I’ve left as much as 200 percent of the bill for a tip.
It’s not only airports.
This happens at our local restaurants in San Diego. This was pointed out to me recently by a friend. Always study the final check.. you’d be amazed..
Great newsletter, as always.
Thanks for the kind words!
Hotels in So Fla do it as well. I noticed at the Marriott Biscayne Bay a year ago or so. And there was no mention of this on the menu at all. So yes, 100% look at the check.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing
I wonder if that’s the outdoor smoking bar near the Centurion lounge. My wife smoked until a few years ago and we stopped there for her to grab a cigarette or two. I don’t recall exactly how much our drinks cost but do remember the prices were extremely high, no doubt due to the lack of any competition.
First, check the menu ( or the price list or whatever; ask? ) to determine if the gratuity is charged based upon the # in the party. Ask the general manager ( not the bar keep ) if the gratuity is identical to a “tip”. Is the gratuity a mandatory charge under their state law. If not, delete out the gratuity. Take a photograph of the original bill and then the deleted charge bill. If the business says the gratuity amount is mandatory, then two ways to handle. 1) Just pay it. or 2) contact the airport police for assistance. If I refuse to pay the gratuity amount and attempt to leave, will I be charged with defrauding an innkeeper ( that is what you’d be charged with in my State under the penal code ). Also, gather all the facts including names and titles, then later contact your card issuer company and request a charge back. Make sure to request the card issuer company provide a copy of the sales receipts & ask for a refund.