So you all know that Sandals is exclusively All-Inclusive, no tipping required, and even no tipping allowed. But, there are still times when you SHOULD tip.

There always others along the way that deserve to be tipped. The Red Hat luggage handlers at the airport. The bus driver that takes you to the resort and typically the assistant that puts the luggage on and off the bus. These are just a couple of examples. When leaving, you’ll run into these same people again.

Here are several suggestions:

• • For the Red Hats on arrival: $2 per bag
  • Red Hats on departure: $2.50 per bag
  • Bus driver: $5 for a short transfer, $10 for a long transfer like to Ocho Rios or Negril from Montego Bay
  • Luggage helper on the bus: $5
  • For a private transfer, maybe double of even triple the bus driver amount depending on distance and friendliness
  • These are only suggestions and you should alter them based on the service you feel you got.

All these people work hard to make your life easier while you’re on vacation. They probably don’t get paid that much for doing a difficult job, so a small tip from you really helps them out and it’ll brighten their day. It doesn’t always take much, just a couple of bucks or even a 5, depending on how good of a job they did for you. If everyone that they helped gave them a buck or two, they’d come away with a nice little total at the end of the day.

In particular, The Red Hats at the airport when you’re leaving typically deserve a tip. They not only take your luggage for you, but if you tell them what airline you’re on, they’ll take you to the appropriate kiosk or line for the counter. If you’re flying first class (or business, or whatever your airline may call it) they’ll take you to the appropriate line for that. And they’re not bashful about getting you past the people that may be in the way of where you need to go. No, they don’t take you to the head of the line, but they make sure that you’re in the correct line and that there’s no “stray” people in the wrong place keeping you from being where you need to be. If you are the first in line, they may even stick around a bit to help put your bags on the scale to get checked in. YES, these people deserve a tip!!