1. COACHES IN NORTH AMERICA:
It is important to note that seatbelts are NOT required on any motorcoach in North America. Only private vehicles and mini vans up to 14 passengers are fitted with seat belts.
2. TIPPING - ADULT GROUPS:
Unlike the UK and most of Europe, tipping is a generally accepted and expected practise in North America, in all parts of the service industry. In fact it forms a part of the employee's salary. This includes, tour guides and coach drivers.
Tour Guides and Coach Drivers;
For step on guides, an amount of $1.00 per person for a tour is perfectly acceptable.. as is a gratutity for a coach driver for an airport transfer.. especially due to the fact that they are usually loading and un loading your luggage. These can be pre collected or paid by the group leader.
For an extended coach tour a minimum of $1.00 to $2.00 per person per day should be considered.. in the case where there is an escort and driver.. then $1.00 each per person per day is recommended. Should you feel that your Tour Escort deserves more than the minimum, then we know that any gratuity would be appreciated.
3. TIPPING - STUDENT GROUPS:
Effective for all quotations for 2008 and beyond, gratuities for drivers and tour guides will be built into the tour cost.. however, once again any additional gratuity would always be appreciated.
4. TIPPING IN RESTAURANTS AND BARS, ETC.
For any pre arranged meals, the gratuity has been included in the cost of the meal, and no additional tip is required or expected.
When enjoying individual time on a tour however, tips are expected by bar tenders, and servers in restaurants. these should be based on service, but a minimum of 10% of the cost is expected.. 15% is preferred.. in some US States.. as high as 18% can be suggested.. these tips should be based on the cost before taxes.
Basically tips in North America are expected as employees generally are on minmum wage and tips make up the different - it is simply the way of life !
Taxi drivers expect 10% minimum.
Porters at airports generally have their own rules but in general this is $2.00 per bag minimum. baggage trolleys are generally available but unfortunately at Toronto Airport there is a charge of $1.00 for a trolley.. however, there are generally assistants to give change or credit cards can be used. US airports generally have free trolleys available.
- HIDDEN SALES TAXES
In the UK and Europe generally, the VAT or its equivalent is already included in the item you purchase, so the price you see is the price you pay. In North America for all purchases, whether meals or merchandise, or any other service, the tax is added on top. Taxes vary among the States and the Provinces. these are always added on top. in the case of a meal or a drink then the gratuity goes on as well..
In Canada, unfortunately we have two taxes.. each Province has their own tax, and then the Federal Government adds their own Goods and Services tax (GST) of 7%.. So when purchasing a meal or a product, you will have to add the appropriate Provincial Tax.. ithis varys from 5 to 10% on goods and on meals, and 7% GST.
- MOBILE PHONES:
Please note that for your mobile phone to work in North America it must be a triband phone, so please check with your service provider before leaving home.
- HOTEL PHONES:
As everyone using your hotel room phone for phoning anywhere even locally will have a service charging and overseas calls are extremely expensive. You can purchase phone cards and use this in public telephones and this will be far the cheaper option.
- TIME DIFFERENCES:
It is important to note that there are 3 main time zones in North America.for example the west coast including British Columbia will be 8 hours behind the UK.. and Alberta will be 6 hours behind so please keep these in mind. Ontario and the East Coast of the USA is 5 hours behind the UK.
- CREDIT CARDS AND BANK CARDS:
Your credit cards will be widely accepted although Diners Club is not as well accepted in this country. Your interac bank card will be able to dispense you cash in all or most locations..from banking or ATM machines located in many stores and public places.. keeping in mind when you might be in more remote areas these may not be readily available. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted in most establishments. Your overseas bank cards cannot be used for purchases from stores .
- LEGAL DRINKING AGE AND ALCOHOL PURCHASE.
This is important for student groups to keep in mind. The legal drinking age in Canada is 19, in most of the United States the legal age is 21. This is enforced in both restaurants and bars as well as stores.
For those over the legal age, in Canada (except Quebec where wine can be purchased in grocery stores), all alcoholic beverages are purchased from Government controlled Liquor or Beer stores. These are open 7 days a week with the exception of statutory holidays.
In the US, look for the signs but in general all alcoholic beverages are available from corner grocery stores and supermarkets.
We trust the above will prove helpful.
