How to pay a bill, before conflict arises?

Question

I'm taking a couple of my friends out to dinner in NYC, before I leave for college. The problem is i dont want any of them paying of arguing over the payment of the bill. How can I avoid this? Is it appropriate to give the waiter the credit card as we are being seated. It is a upscale casual restaurant....Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

You can call ahead to the restaurant and let them know that you only want the bill dropped to you or excuse yourself to the restroom then grab your server to pay the bill. You can even have your credit card number put on file so that a bill is not even dropped. Don't forget to let them know to add on a percentage for your server. I've gotten requests like this all the time. It's nothing new.

As far as servers stealing credit card number, it is highly unlikely. Besides, you have fraud protection and would get the money back anyway. I'm a host & waitress in a fine dining restaurant and would NEVER steal anyone's credit card number. Other posters must have encountered unethical people. Or never dined in a fine dining establishment.

I have a regular customer who demands we only give the check to her and it's really no issue to fulfill that request. As an excuse to get away to sign, I've gone to the table and let the card holder know "they have a phone call" at the front desk. Tell them you want that done so you can pay. Little things like that are not a hassle.

You can always get a copy of the itemized bill and if there are issues, the restaurant will gladly correct them. They want your business and would not do anything to jeopardize that.

Answer 2

To do it the right way, talk to the waiter at the beginning of dinner on the side and let him/her know you will be covering the tab and if they wouldn't mind - to just let everyone know at the end (if asked) that the bill has been taken care of ;).  Then, after dinner, excuse yourself to go to the restroom and pay the bill.  Its discreet and classy!  

I would not suggest giving the waiter your cc beforehand.  They are very busy and you do not want to take the chance of them charging anyone elses bill to your card or losing it during your dinner for that matter.  Let alone identity theft.  Its just being smart to keep it on you until necessary.  

Hope it helps, have a great dinner!!

Answer 3

ugh i hate when this happens. i would definitely give the waitress the cc before sitting down. i waited tables and when people fought over bills, i was embarrassed for them. if you do this, there's no question who's paying. the the waiter/waitress asks if anyone wants anything else, that's a sign for her to swipe the card.  

Answer 4

You give your credit card to the server at the beginning of your meal. Get up to go to the restroom and hand your server your card.

They will not try to charge for items that you didn't order. That is just ridiculous. Especially at a nice restaurant.

As a server and bartender the first person to give the card pays. You can always look at the bill after your credit card has been ran.

Answer 5

Whatever you do  not ever ever give the waiter or waitress your credit card until the bill arrives. Waiters and waitress will try to take advantage and charge you for things you didn't order if you are stupid enought to give your credit card to the server.

As soon as the bill arrives look it over and pay it and hand it over to the server before your friends can offer to pay.