Restaurant Gives Server $2,000 After Tip On Credit Card Declined

SAN ANTONIO, TX — It turns out Emily Bauer, the San Antonio waitress who hadn't received a dime from a $2,000 tip a customer left her nearly a week ago, will have the chance to spend that money on holiday gifts for her two young children after all.

Not only would the $2,000 tip left on a man's credit card not process, but Red Hook Seafood was out $69.01 for the meal the man had at the restaurant on Sunday. The man had a declined credit card, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and other reports.

“We tried multiple times, Emily tried, managers tried and the [restaurant] owner called Visa to ask what we can do,” Red Hook said in an Instagram post. “Visa could not force a $2,000 tip on his card. It was invalid, then later declined. We cannot charge a card $500 four times. It’s impossible and it’s fraud.”

The restaurant said on Facebook it had endured harassment, threats and bad reviews due to the perception that it refused to give Bauer the tip due to its inability to process a credit card for more than $500. But the restaurant is now seen in a different light.

The owner is giving $2,000 to Bauer even though the card was declined. Bauer said on Facebook she had been presented proof by the restaurant that the credit card was fraudulent.

"I appreciate everyone who was trying to help me find the man that left it to me, but unfortunately it was not true, which is sad and I hope that never happens to anyone because it is not a good feeling," Bauer wrote, a message that was screenshotted and shared on the Red Hook Seafood Instagram feed.

"I love my job," Bauer said in the post. "The owner is kind enough to give it to me even though it was not their mess up."

Patch has reached out to Bauer and Red Hook Seafood for comment.

Read more via Fort Worth Star-Telegram