Question 1

What are digital tips in hotels?

Accepted Answer

Digital tips in hotels allow guests to tip staff cashlessly using their phone, typically via NFC tap, QR code, or a web link. SmartTips makes this seamless: guests tap, choose an amount, and pay instantly. No app download required. Tips are collected securely and distributed to hotel staff in full compliance with EU regulations and GDPR.

Question 2

Will digital tips replace cash tips?

Accepted Answer

No — digital tips are additive, not a replacement. Our case studies show that hotels implementing SmartTips see up to 4× increase in cash tips alongside new digital revenue. Guests who previously never tipped now have a convenient digital option, while traditional cash tippers continue as before.

Question 3

How does GDPR compliance work?

Accepted Answer

SmartTips is built for European regulatory requirements from day one. All guest data is processed in accordance with GDPR, with minimal data collection, secure encryption, and no sharing with third parties. Guest feedback is anonymized and hotels maintain full control over their data.

Question 4

How do hotels receive the funds?

Accepted Answer

Digital gratuities are securely collected via Revolut's payment infrastructure and transferred to your hotel for distribution. You maintain complete control over how tips are allocated to your team, ensuring compliance with your internal policies and local regulations.

Question 5

What's the cost to the hotel?

Accepted Answer

There is zero upfront cost and no ongoing subscription. SmartTips operates on a self-funding model where a small transaction fee on digital tips covers all hardware, software, and support. The review management system is included at no additional charge.

Question 6

How does the review filtering work?

Accepted Answer

When guests interact with the NFC touchpoint, they're prompted to rate their experience. Positive ratings (4-5 stars) are directed to public platforms like Google and TripAdvisor. Critical feedback (1-3 stars) is captured privately, giving your team the opportunity to resolve issues before they become public reviews.