How to Add a Tip to Your Card Payment

With the increasing use of card payments, understanding how to add a tip when completing a transaction has become a common necessity. This process varies depending on the payment scenario, from restaurant tables to self-service kiosks.

Adding a Tip at a Restaurant Table

When dining at a restaurant, adding a tip with a card typically involves one of two methods after receiving your bill. The first, and often most traditional, is the physical receipt method where you manually write in the tip. After your card is processed for the initial bill amount, you will receive two copies of the receipt: one for the merchant and one for your records. You should clearly write the desired tip amount on the designated “Tip” line, then add this to the subtotal to calculate and write the “Total” amount. Your signature on the merchant copy authorizes the establishment to charge the final amount, including the tip, to your card.

The second common method involves a portable payment terminal brought directly to your table, streamlining the digital payment process. The terminal will typically display prompts on its screen, guiding you through the tipping options. You may be presented with pre-set tip percentages, such as 15%, 18%, or 20%, or given the option to enter a custom amount. After selecting your preferred tip, the terminal will update the total, which you then confirm before completing the transaction by inserting, swiping, or tapping your card. This ensures the tip is included in the single authorization.

Adding a Tip at a Counter or Kiosk

Adding a tip when paying at a counter or self-service kiosk follows a different procedure. At these locations, the point-of-sale (POS) system or kiosk typically presents tipping options on a customer-facing screen before the card payment is finalized.

You will usually see pre-calculated tip percentages displayed, similar to those found on portable terminals, or an option to input a custom tip amount. There is also typically an option to decline a tip. Once you select your desired tip, or choose not to tip, the system automatically adjusts the total amount due. You then proceed to complete the payment by tapping, inserting, or swiping your card on the card reader. The full authorized amount, including the tip, is then processed in a single transaction.

Confirming Your Tip

After adding a tip to your card payment, it is prudent to verify that the correct amount was processed. The most immediate way to do this is by reviewing your receipt, whether it is printed or digital. Check that the tip amount you intended to leave and the final total are accurately reflected on the receipt you receive.

Beyond the immediate receipt, monitoring your bank or credit card statements provides an additional layer of verification. While the initial transaction may appear as a pending charge without the tip, the final posted amount, which typically takes one to three business days, should include your added gratuity. If you discover a difference between your receipt and the charged amount on your statement, you should contact the establishment to resolve the discrepancy.