Youtip Enters Hospitality as Digital Tipping Solution

CHICAGO—Youtip, a new digital tipping solution, has entered the hospitality market to provide a contactless, cashless and “appless” enterprise system for digital gratuity with full reporting.

“In today’s economy—even before COVID-19—businesses are choosing to go cash-free, including hotels, with many encouraging credit card and contactless payments,” said Sarah Taveprungsenukul, co-founder/CEO, Youtip. “We’ve all been there. We want to tip service staff, such as the valet parking attendant, bellman or hotel housekeeper for jobs well done, but don’t have enough cash on hand to do so. Taking the time to download a gratuity app is inconvenient, especially for travelers who often find themselves in a time crunch to run to the ATM or who want to limit their exposure to handling germ-ridden cash. We developed Youtip as the easiest digital tipping solution in the market. Tippers simply scan a QR code displayed anywhere that is visible and convenient, such as a valet stand, on the in-room TV or smart speakers with digital displays, or on an employee’s badge/card. They can also click on links sent directly to them via text or email. This digital scan-and-tip system provides a quick and easy experience for guests and gives operators service feedback in seconds.”

The solution is the brainchild of Doug Miles, co-founder/COO, and a 20-year fintech veteran who too frequently found himself without the cash to tip during business travel. Noticing the rapid adoption of QR codes in the U.S. and smartphone cameras now having QR code reading capability, Miles dusted off an old idea to pitch to Taveprungsenukul, his long-time friend in hospitality. The duo also brought tech-solution developer and friend Nicholas Okuley, cofounder/CTO, Youtip, to the table to help fine-tune the offering.

“To achieve mass adoption, the solution had to be faster than cash,” Miles said. “Youtip utilizes technology that already exists in your phone rather than requiring an app download. You just scan, tip and go. Our system routes the tip to the business’s bank account along with transaction reporting and guest feedback. This appless solution is a ‘first’ in hospitality, and we anticipate that it will change the way tips are transacted for the foreseeable future.”