Hilton HHonors - HH status breakfast coupons

This is probably either discussed in the past (if so I can't find it), or assumed knowledge in the US but here goes...

I know the rules state "continental" breakfast, and the coupons often state "continental" breakfast, but often the breakfast is a buffet of both hot and cold items. Does this mean I'm not supposed to take the hot items? Weird.

So far I do, is that bad?

Thx :)

This is probably either discussed in the past (if so I can't find it), or assumed knowledge in the US but here goes...

I know the rules state "continental" breakfast, and the coupons often state "continental" breakfast, but often the breakfast is a buffet of both hot and cold items. Does this mean I'm not supposed to take the hot items? Weird.

So far I do, is that bad?

Thx :)

Of course it's bad. The staff may not call you on the theft, and so many will say "see, that makes it OK."

It doesn't.

This is probably either discussed in the past (if so I can't find it), or assumed knowledge in the US but here goes...

I know the rules state "continental" breakfast, and the coupons often state "continental" breakfast, but often the breakfast is a buffet of both hot and cold items. Does this mean I'm not supposed to take the hot items? Weird.

So far I do, is that bad?

Thx :)Yes. It's bad.

I suggest you declare yourself to the server. So far, with a dozen or so hotels in at least four differnt countries, at least 50% of the time I have NOT been charged the "hot" supplement.
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13F

When I use my Gold coupons, I always ask what I can partake of. I've always been given complimentary access to the whole buffet (which often, but not always, has hot items). Only when hot dishes have to be ordered a la carte have I been told I'd have to pay for them.

It depends on the property. Sometimes they care, sometimes they do not care. You should ask what your coupon covers, as sometimes the hotel gives you a coupon for hot breakfast, sometimes it's just the cold stuff.

Usually the server will mention it when they bring over your coffee, if not I'll ask just in case.

When I use my Gold coupons, I always ask what I can partake of. I've always been given complimentary access to the whole buffet (which often, but not always, has hot items). Only when hot dishes have to be ordered a la carte have I been told I'd have to pay for them.

This seems like a perfectly reasonable approach. I often will call down to the restaurant to ask what's included before I leave my room. I always double-check with the server.

We have always paid for the "upgrade" to the hot buffet.... never been given to us.

I would never think of just taking from the hot buffet when the coupon is very clear that it is for the continental breakfast.

To me, that is stealing whether or not the server catches it.

Usually the server has told us what the Continental breakfast consists of. And, at least at the Hilton SF on O'Farrell, there's something like an $11 charge to upgrade to the full buffet (even though on the menu the full buffet doesn't actually cost $11 more). The Continetal was more than sufficient.

If you aren't sure what it includes, it pays to ask. It's far less embarrassing than having a wait staff member hit you with a bill for the upgrade at the end of the breakfast.

It depends on the property. Sometimes they care, sometimes they do not care. You should ask what your coupon covers, as sometimes the hotel gives you a coupon for hot breakfast, sometimes it's just the cold stuff.

Usually the server will mention it when they bring over your coffee, if not I'll ask just in case.

Good point. Different properties have different rules. Yet, from these responses it might almost seems like the server makes up the rules. If the server tells me the coupon covers everything, I don't argue with him/her, and if there is a cost to upgrade to hot, I make my decision day by day depending on my mood and appetite and how good the hot stuff looks.

When I am told the cert covers the hot breakfast, I have never thought I was stealing, but when the cert is good for cold, that is what I take. And when the server says "your cert gets you the cold side of the buffet or you can upgrade to the hot side for $5-10-15 or you can use your cert for $10 for anything on the menu and pay the extra" I make my decision and play by the rules. The key - different properties have different rules so almost always the first day of the stay you listen to the spiel of what the cert is worth and act accordingly from then on.

This is probably either discussed in the past (if so I can't find it), or assumed knowledge in the US but here goes...

I know the rules state "continental" breakfast, and the coupons often state "continental" breakfast, but often the breakfast is a buffet of both hot and cold items. Does this mean I'm not supposed to take the hot items? Weird.

So far I do, is that bad?

Thx :)

A couple weeks ago I was at the Doubletree in Philly and they gave me breakfast coupons when I checked in, which I assume was because of Gold status. I didn't read them closely but when I went to the restaurant and showed my coupon to the server, he said I could help myself to anything on the buffet or if I wanted an omelet or waffle from the kitchen I could have that as well. Sounds like it's very property dependent.

Sounds like it's very property dependent.

That's been my experience. The server should tell you what the coupon is good for and what the upgrade charge is, if any, to the hot buffet.

That's been my experience. The server should tell you what the coupon is good for and what the upgrade charge is, if any, to the hot buffet.

I would think so, too. But in reality, at least for me, only half the servers tell you, then after you eat, they come with the rediculous "up charge" for the hot portion of the buffet.