Should you tip hotel reception in Egypt for room upgrades or early check-in?

At some Egyptian hotels, reception staff may hint that you've been given a premium room 'as a gift' that normally costs extra — a common soft-pressure tactic to prompt a tip.

Some travelers have stopped giving cash tips to hotel reception altogether. Instead, they bring chocolates, tea, or coffee from home as a gift. If staff aren't satisfied with that, it's their problem.

One traveler tipped $20 at reception for an upgrade from a family room to a family suite. The receptionist described it as a voluntary thank-you gift, not a required fee. The family suite was described as very spacious.