Cashless Tipping and the Power of Appreciation

As hotels and restaurants begin to re-open and adapt to the contactless and cashless world of COVID-19, fewer and fewer customers are carrying cash. With concerns about health and safety, most Americans now fear handling cash, preferring mobile, touchless payments. Some businesses aren’t accepting cash at all.

But there are unintended consequences when customers don’t have cash to tip and show their appreciation!

First, decreased income from lost cash tips has a disproportionately negative impact on minimum-wage workers – housekeepers, valet, bellman, and other tipped employees. (New York Times) Second, reduced earnings for tipped employees can have a cascade of unfortunate effects: Lower morale, diminished motivation, higher turnover, decreased service quality, and negative guest reviews. However, you quantify it, hotel owners and managers know how real these costs are, but have had no good way to solve them.

Cashless tipping offers a solution by enabling those employees who depend on cash tips to recover the lost opportunities for earnings.

As a touchless system, TipBrightly enables anyone to send a virtual tip by scanning a QR code or clicking a URL The guest verifies the recipient, enters the amount, and leaves feedback. Tips are anonymous and can be sent at any time. Transactions are securely processed by Stripe,a leading payments platform used by companies such as Instacart and Lyft. QR codes can be linked to individuals and teams and displayed in multiple ways -- integrated into signs, shared on social media, and printed on receipts. As a turnkey solution, TipBrightly can also be used to collect donations.

The system is working successfully in New Hampshire at Appalachian Mountain Club’ s Highland Center, and at hotels in California, North Carolina, and Colorado, including Hilton Embassy Suites, Marriott Aloft and Kimpton.

Picture taken prior to the pandemic.

Once set up, TipBrightly worked immediately and smoothly. For guests and staff alike, TipBrightly is plug and play—the QR code works seamlessly and is easy for guests to understand and we could see the Stripe transactions immediately. Our servers and housekeeping staff really appreciate receiving tips from our lodge guests who increasingly travel Club, Highland Center without cash." - Jess Wilson, Appalachian Mountain Club, Highland Center

Emily Grubb, General Manager of Highland Center explained that the adoption of cashless tipping communicates the positive message to staff that their employers recognize their value and financial wellbeing in challenging times.

Increased tips have made a difference for our employees and helped boost their earnings. We’re happy to have this in the dining room and also for housekeeping.

Purpose-built for the hospitality industry and compliant with New Hampshire ’ s tipping laws, TipBrightly provides a fast and easy way to express appreciation from a social distance without losing the warmth of gratitude. The benefits of cashless tipping provide a win for guests, a win for employees, and a win for management. As NHLRA’s preferred vendor for contactless tipping, TipBrightly’s team is happy to help.

Visit TipBrightly.io or contact Elle Rustique, CEO of TipBrightly, at elle@tipbrightly.io for special discounts for NHLRA members.