Help those who are serving you

In the US, service workers are some of the hardest working yet lowest paid employees. In many case, waiters, maids, cab drivers, etc earn a large part of their income from tips. I find that most of those that I travel with and socialize with adequately tip between 15-20% for wait staff and cabs, many tip hotel maids little or nothing at all. A simple and small tip of $2 to $5 per night, helps someone who is doing a service for you. If you are staying multiple nights, you'll probably notice a difference with an extra candy, refreshed soap and shampoo, and probably the best towels they have on the rack. Bottom line: your recognition of them is meaningful! If you are tipping a hotel maid, leave the tip on the pillow as many are instructed to leave everything else alone. When it's on the pillow, it's clear who the tip is for!