Port Authority Mandates End to Airport Kiosk Tipping

Officials demand removal of tip prompts at self-checkout kiosks following customer complaints in Newark.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Remote Work

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single metal retail kiosk standing in a minimalist, sunlit airport terminal corridor. — The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has ordered the removal of tipping prompts from automated airport retail kiosks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is it appropriate for automated self-service kiosks to request tips from customers?

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is mandating the immediate removal of tipping options from self-checkout kiosks at Newark Liberty International Airport. The decision follows reports of automated 18% tip prompts appearing during simple transactions at airport stores.

Why it matters

The move addresses growing consumer frustration regarding the spread of tipping prompts to automated services where direct service is not provided. It reinforces the stance that such solicitations are inappropriate for self-checkout kiosks at major travel hubs.

A customer at a CIBO Express in Terminal C was prompted for an 18% tip, amounting to $1.17, on a $6.49 water bottle purchase. While tipping trends shift, 40% of consumers report tipping less frequently due to tightened household budgets.

The players

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

This government agency manages major transportation infrastructure, including Newark Liberty International Airport, and regulates operational policies for airport vendors.

OTG

This company operates various dining and retail concepts within airports, including the CIBO Express stores where the kiosks are located.

The details

The kiosk in question also featured an Employee Benefits Surcharge, which was authorized by the Port Authority in December 2024 to help cover labor costs associated with the Healthy Terminals Act. This surcharge is not a direct tip and is not payable to store staff, leading to confusion during the checkout process.

December 2024: The Port Authority approved the Employee Benefits Surcharge.
October 16, 2026: A customer encountered a tipping prompt at a Newark airport kiosk.

Market Landscape

This move highlights a significant shift in corporate retail strategy as operators attempt to reconcile labor cost mandates like the Healthy Terminals Act with consumer backlash against tipping fatigue. It positions the Port Authority against a growing industry trend of integrating voluntary gratuity prompts into automated systems.

Travelers using kiosks in Terminal C can expect the tipping option to be disabled, removing the pressure to add a gratuity to simple retail purchases. The mandatory Employee Benefits Surcharge remains in place to support labor costs, though it will not appear as a tip.

The takeaway

The incident demonstrates a growing friction point between automated service costs and public sentiment regarding gratuity. Travelers should remain aware that surcharges on airport receipts are often mandatory fees rather than discretionary tips.