Hilton HHonors - Hotels Where You Can't Upgrade Continental Breakfast

This morning I was shocked to learn that the Hilton Checkers in downtown Los Angeles did not allow me to upgrade my continental breakfast coupon (good for coffee, juice, and breads, and maybe yogurt) to full breakfast. If I didn't want the waiter-served continental selection, my Diamond breakfast amenity was near-worthless. My protest at the front desk didn't get anywhere until I mentioned they had also failed to deliver complimentary water bottles to the room, and the water hadn't shown up even after a special request. Even then, I had to insist on a special arrangement for breakfast, which was finally made: I received a yellow coupon good for full breakfast, normally provided only to package guests.

Do any other Hilton Family properties refuse to allow you to buy up to full breakfast, assuming full breakfast isn't already free to elites? Let's name some names.

Annoying perhaps, but certainly not something I would be "shocked" about. There are much bigger potential travel issues to warrant that sort of outrage. Maybe like missing water.:rolleyes:

back to Explore's point, the Hilton Checker is probably the worst offender I have ever seen. They just don't care...

Honors gives executive lounge access or a continental breakfast. A breakfast voucher upgrade is not part of the Honors benefits. Why would you think that you are entitled to something that is not under the Honors terms?

Just because some hotels may choose to give you the monetary difference between a free continental and a full breakfast they do not have to under Honors terms.

back to Explore's point, the Hilton Checker is probably the worst offender I have ever seen. They just don't care...

It's been a while since I have stayed at this property (couple years probably), but I was given a full breakfast at Checkers (and IIRC it was pretty good) and I thought they treated diamonds great. Sorry to hear that property is going downhill.

As to the OP's comment the property isn't obligated to allow you to buy up to a full breakfast but it would be nice if they would allow you to pay the prices difference and upgrade. IMO, a great benefit to diamonds would be to offer a full breakfast.

Why would OP be "shocked." It's not a benefit and just because a given property chooses to do something above and beyond its contractual commitment isn't a reason for everybody else to do it.

I've had hotel staff do all kinds of special favors for me over the years at everything from dumps to super luxury. When they do it, I thank them. When they don't, I don't give it a second thought.

I have yet been to a Hilton brand hotel that does not let me upgrade to full breakfast or let me trade it in the free continental breakfast for about $12-$13 worth of food. It seems strange that they would not do that. What do they expect you to do? Discard your coupons and pay for full breakfast? Most people would just end up having the continental breakfast instead. I think it would make better business sense to let you pay for an upgrade.

Honors gives executive lounge access or a continental breakfast. A breakfast voucher upgrade is not part of the Honors benefits. Why would you think that you are entitled to something that is not under the Honors terms?

Just because some hotels may choose to give you the monetary difference between a free continental and a full breakfast they do not have to under Honors terms.

I think the point is, most give you a little flexibility (ie paying the difference) Out of all the Hilton's I have stayed in over the years, the Checkers is the absolute worst in terms of flexibility for breakfast. No they don't have to but they seem to go out of their way to not.

More details here btw

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/1203907-hilton-checkers-la-bye-bye-full-breakfast.html

I think the point is, most give you a little flexibility (ie paying the difference) Out of all the Hilton's I have stayed in over the years, the Checkers is the absolute worst in terms of flexibility for breakfast. No they don't have to but they seem to go out of their way to not.

More details here btw

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/1203907-hilton-checkers-la-bye-bye-full-breakfast.html

Ok then, hotels that allow you to just pay the difference are not actually following the terms of Honors since this is not a published benefit. So when a hotel does follow the terms you get upset. If the other hotels didn't follow the terms on something you were suppose to get you would be just as upset.

If people want the Hotels to follow the loyalty program rules then it should go both ways with no complaining...LOL

Ok then, hotels that allow you to just pay the difference are not actually following the terms of Honors since this is not a published benefit. So when a hotel does follow the terms you get upset. If the other hotels didn't follow the terms on something you were suppose to get you would be just as upset.

If people want the Hotels to follow the loyalty program rules then it should go both ways with no complaining...LOL
+1 - Might as well move to the old USSR. Not written in a rule, you don't get it. Make this thing a marketing negative and the benefit will be eliminated faster than you can say "Hilton."

If you don't like the price of breakfast at Checkers, there are at least 8 places which serve it within a 2 block walk.

Ok then, hotels that allow you to just pay the difference are not actually following the terms of Honors since this is not a published benefit. So when a hotel does follow the terms you get upset. If the other hotels didn't follow the terms on something you were suppose to get you would be just as upset.

If people want the Hotels to follow the loyalty program rules then it should go both ways with no complaining...LOL

Your argument doesn't make sense. A published benefit is the minimum standard that you can expect when you stay at a hotel not the absolute standard. A hotel can certainly go above and beyond what is published, such as offering upgraded bathroom amenities, robes or offering full breakfast, and still be in compliance. What they can't do is go below the minimum standard and if they did you would have a right to be upset.

About a year ago I inquired for more specifics on the 'continental' breakfast. I was provided with the following information:

"Voucher redemption for Continental Breakfast is defined as and should be identified on the voucher as:
· Guest choice of table or walk-up counter service
· Coffee or tea
· Juice (choice of any available)
· Hot bakery items (ideally, signature items), minimum two pieces (Danish, bagel, muffin, etc.)
· Tax and tip included"

About a year ago I inquired for more specifics on the 'continental' breakfast. I was provided with the following information:

"Voucher redemption for Continental Breakfast is defined as and should be identified on the voucher as:
· Guest choice of table or walk-up counter service
· Coffee or tea
· Juice (choice of any available)
· Hot bakery items (ideally, signature items), minimum two pieces (Danish, bagel, muffin, etc.)
· Tax and tip included"

BTW, I don't believe the continental at the Hilton Checkers included the tip.

Hilton Barbados
You used to be able to pay an upgrade for the full monty but not anymore.
So if you pay for an executive room with an advertised breakfast included and do not find the rather off-putting selection to be a particularly good start to the day, then you will have to pay for your already paid breakfast (included in the higher rates for the exec room) once more.

Your argument doesn't make sense. A published benefit is the minimum standard that you can expect when you stay at a hotel not the absolute standard. A hotel can certainly go above and beyond what is published, such as offering upgraded bathroom amenities, robes or offering full breakfast, and still be in compliance. What they can't do is go below the minimum standard and if they did you would have a right to be upset.

And people are whining that the hotels are providing the minimum standard and not giving them upgraded -fill in the blank- that is not part of the program. The published benefit is the standard and hotels that do not follow the published benefits, either by under delivering or over delivering, are out of the published standards. Being nice does not always pay off with some people.

People complaining about hotels that meet the standards is just silly and shows their lack of understanding of the program. It could also cause a backlash from corporate Hilton that only the published standard is to be given.