Auto-gratuity

Auto-gratuity is when a restaurant or hotel automatically adds a tip to your bill, usually 18-22%, without asking you. It's most common in: large parties (typically groups of 6+ at restaurants), all-inclusive resorts, room service, banquet events, bottle service at bars/clubs, and cruises. By US law, the practice must be disclosed on the menu or your bill. Important watch-out: when you sign a bill that already has an auto-gratuity, the "tip" line is sometimes blank, but the gratuity is already included. If you write another tip on top, you're double-tipping. Always check the bill before signing, especially in Las Vegas, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and at any group meal. You can legally refuse auto-gratuity in most cases, but it requires explicit conversation.