Please note gratuities are not included, but added to your final invoice for ease of distribution. We hire the top ground teams in each country. It’s protocol to tip our guides, drivers, assistance, porters, staff, lodges and more for each group abroad. This is detailed in your Trip Tips which are posted on our website for all to see and sent to you by email. Discretionary tips help ensure a good relationship and the only thing we travelers behind is our reputation.
Since 1989, our trip leaders used to collect tips from each traveler on a daily basis. However, we encountered some who refused to tip, leading our trip leaders to cover the expenses themselves. In response to this, AFSers suggested a pre-payment system where tips are collected in advance so that travelers do not have to worry about this during their vacation. Since we implemented this approach in 2014, the trip leader takes care of collecting tips from local staff serving our group, ensuring a smooth process. The question has been brought up: what if I really liked the service somebody gave me? There’s nothing preventing you from tipping more on your own.
Our new booking platform from WeTravel displays all trip prices, including the gratuity amounts, which are listed below the itinerary, in WeTravel and the Trip Tips. The specific gratuity amounts vary depending on the destination and group size so we add the exact amount at final payment. As a tour company, we follow industry standards to determine the tipping amount based on the size of the group. Generally, smaller groups incur higher tipping costs. If any local staff goes above and beyond their duties for you, we encourage you to consider giving them an additional tip directly. (For African safaris, the tipping guidelines are more detailed and can be found in your trip tips.)
