luggage porter

Meaning

A luggage porter is a person employed at a hotel, airport, or railway station to help travelers carry their suitcases and bags. This service is common in upscale accommodations and busy transit hubs, often requiring a small tip. The term is neutral and polite.

Examples

• The luggage porter helped us load our heavy bags into the back of the taxi.

  The luggage porter helped us load our heavy bags into the back of the taxi.

• We tipped the luggage porter for bringing our suitcases up to the fifth floor.

  We tipped the luggage porter for bringing our suitcases up to the fifth floor.

• Is there a luggage porter available to assist me with these boxes?

  Is there a luggage porter available to assist me with these boxes?

• The luggage porter greeted us at the hotel entrance and took our bags.

  The luggage porter greeted us at the hotel entrance and took our bags.

• I prefer to carry my own backpack, but we hired a luggage porter for our heavy trunks.

  I prefer to carry my own backpack, but we hired a luggage porter for our heavy trunks.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We asked the luggage carrier to take our bags.

  ✓ We asked the luggage porter to take our bags.

  While 'luggage carrier' exists, it usually refers to a physical cart or rack, whereas 'porter' is the correct term for the person.

• ✗ I gave a tip to the baggage boy.

  ✓ I gave a tip to the luggage porter.

  'Baggage boy' can sound outdated or slightly patronizing. 'Luggage porter' or 'bellhop' is more polite and professional.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The ___ loaded our suitcases onto a trolley as soon as we arrived.

  💡 The hotel employee who helps carry bags.

  Show answer

  luggage porter

• Should we leave a tip for the ___ who brought up our bags?

  💡 The person assisting you with heavy luggage.

  Show answer

  luggage porter