In the restaurant industry, tipping can be a sensitive topic—for both guests and staff. To ensure a smooth and transparent experience, here’s a clear explanation of how Sunday manages tips when an auto-gratuity or service charge is already included in the check.
🔍 What is auto-gratuity?
Auto-gratuity refers to a pre-set tip automatically added to the bill by the restaurant’s Point of Sale (POS) system. This is commonly applied in specific situations, such as:
Large parties (e.g. 6 or more guests)
Private events or special services
Based on the restaurant’s own tipping policy
💬 Note: Auto-gratuity is not configured through Sunday. It is managed directly via your POS system.
💰 Why can this cause confusion for guests?
When a service charge or auto-gratuity is included, and Sunday also displays tipping options, some guests may feel they are being asked to tip twice.
To prevent this, Sunday’s system automatically adjusts the suggested tip amounts based on the gratuity already included in the bill.
⚙️ How Sunday adjusts tip suggestions
Sunday uses a tiered approach to adapt the suggested additional tips depending on the level of service charge or auto-gratuity already applied.
Case 1: Auto-gratuity under 10%
➡️ Standard tipping options are shown (e.g. 20%, 23%) since the included gratuity is relatively low.
Goal: Allow guests to tip according to their appreciation, as usual.
Case 2: Auto-gratuity between 10% and 17%
➡️ A pro-rated adjustment is made, so the combined gratuity (included + additional) remains around 20–23%.
Example: If 12% is already included, Sunday might suggest adding 8%, 10%, etc.
Case 3: Auto-gratuity above 17%
➡️ Suggested additional tips are lowered to 3%, 5%, 7%, recognizing that the guest has already tipped generously. This avoids the perception of excessive or “double tipping.”
🔧 Customization coming soon
We’ve heard from many partners that they would like to:
Customize the tipping thresholds
Control the tip options displayed based on the included service charge
👷 These features are currently in development and may be released in the coming months based on client feedback.
📣 Summary Table
Auto-Gratuity Level | Tip Options Displayed |
< 10% | 20%, 23%, 25% (standard options) |
10% – 17% | Pro-rated to ~20–23-25% total |
> 17% | 3%, 5%, 7% |
At Sunday, we’re committed to delivering a fair, seamless, and transparent tipping experience—both for your teams and your guests.
Q&A
What is auto-gratuity?
Auto-gratuity is a preset tip that is automatically added to the bill by your Point of Sale (POS) system. This practice is commonly used in specific situations such as:
Large parties (e.g., 6 or more guests).
Private events or special services.
Based on your own restaurant's tipping policy.
Note: Auto-gratuity is not configured via Sunday. It is managed directly within your POS system.
Why do my guests see tipping options when a service charge is already included?
When an auto-gratuity is included in the bill and Sunday also displays tipping options, some guests may feel they are being asked to tip twice. To prevent this confusion, the Sunday system is designed to automatically adjust its suggestions.
How does Sunday adjust tip suggestions when there is an auto-gratuity?
Sunday uses a tiered approach to adapt the additional tip suggestions based on the amount of service charge already applied to the bill.
Case 1: Auto-gratuity under 10%
Standard tipping options are shown (e.g., 20%, 23%), as the included gratuity is relatively low. The goal is to allow guests to tip according to their appreciation, as usual.
Case 2: Auto-gratuity between 10% and 17%
A pro-rated adjustment is made, so the total gratuity (included + additional) remains around 20-23%. For example, if 12% is already included, Sunday might suggest adding 8%, 10%, etc.
Case 3: Auto-gratuity above 17%
The suggested additional tips are lowered (e.g., 3%, 5%, 7%), acknowledging that the guest has already contributed generously. This avoids the perception of excessive "double tipping."
How do I configure auto-gratuity in Sunday?
The configuration of auto-gratuity is not done in Sunday. It must be set up directly in the settings of your Point of Sale (POS) system. Sunday will then automatically detect the amount applied to the bill.
Can I customize the thresholds and tip options displayed in the case of auto-gratuity?
We have noted that our partners would like to be able to customize these thresholds. These features are currently in development and may become available in the coming months, based on client feedback.
Last review : 09/30/2026