Tipping a massage therapist is an important part of the service.
According to therapists, it’s not about how much you tip, but rather that you do tip at all.
If you are new to tipping at spas, here are some guidelines for tipping your masseuses:
- Tip 20% of the cost of the treatment on cash payments or by credit card.
- For each additional person receiving a treatment in your party, add another 10%.
- Tip in cash if you can, or tip a little extra on your credit card bill.
- If the massage is very expensive, ask at the front desk if a gratuity has already been included in the cost of your treatment. If it hasn’t, add another 20%.
- Give a small gift to recognize outstanding service from therapists and an even smaller thank you when they make you feel particularly good. They may not open it until after you’ve left so they won’t be embarrassed by any big reactions.
Tipping for spa services isn’t always automatic, but when in doubt err on the side of generosity – which massage therapist wouldn’t want their clients to give them more money?
Is $20 a good tip for a 90-minute massage?
20% of $100 is $20 so yes, that is a good tip.
At a high-end spa where services are typically very expensive (e.g., at least $100 for a 60-minute session), figure on tipping more like 25% of the cost, or perhaps even higher if they have gone out of their way to provide exceptional service.
How much do you tip for a 75-minute massage?
20% of an a75-minute massage is $15, so that is a good tip.
But if the service was exceptional, you may want to tip more.
If the massage therapist provides extra services, such as stretching or aromatherapy, tip them separately at the end of the massage.
A good rule of thumb is to give an extra $2-$5 per service.
Remember, when in doubt, always tip on the higher side!
Some people choose to tip a massage therapist more if they had an especially good experience.
If, for example, the therapist went out of their way to accommodate a special request or worked especially hard on a troublesome area, then a larger tip is certainly in order.
Do I need to tip my massage therapist if I’m not happy with the service?
On the other hand, if you felt like the therapist did not meet your expectations, then a smaller tip, or no tip at all, maybe more appropriate.
In any case, it is always best to discuss the issue with the therapist before leaving.
They will certainly appreciate any feedback you may have.
What is a good tip for a massage therapist?
A good tip would be $20-30 for a massage. It is customary to tip based on the length of the service, so plan for at least $20-30 if it is an hour or longer.
Some people choose to tip more if they had an especially good experience.
If you’re not sure how much to tip your massage therapist, follow these simple guidelines:
- Tip 20% of the cost of your treatment on cash payments or by credit card.
- For each additional person receiving massage treatment in your party, add another 10%.
- Tip in cash if you can, or tip a little extra on your credit card bill.
So how much should you tip a massage therapist?
$20 – 60 minutes
$30 – 90 minutes
$40 – 2 hours
Remember, when in doubt, always tip on the higher side!
Spas appreciate a 20 percent tip and like it even more if given in cash.
That’s because if you tip on your credit card, most spas will pay that tip out with the therapist’s weekly or biweekly paycheck.
The best way to show your appreciation is with a cash gratuity, but if that’s not possible, add it to your credit card bill. If the massage is very expensive, ask at the front desk if a gratuity has already been included in the cost of your treatment.
