View Poll Results: Concerning the new Hilton "credit" benefit instead of free breakfast
The new credit system is fine as-is but the implementation bugs need to get worked out
9
5.08%
The new credit system is fine, but the monetary amounts need to be increased
13
7.34%
Go back to the previous free breakfast benefit
45
25.42%
Offer Gold/Diamond members their choice of either the credit or free breakfast
110
62.15%
Voters: 177. You may not vote on this poll
May 20, 2021, 12:49 pm
Last edit by: beltway
The most commonly posed question about the new food/beverage benefit, which is now extended through the end of 2022, is how it works for multi-night stays. Here's what we do & don't know:
Official Hilton benefit statement (updated for 2022) with FAQ at end:
Through 2022, well be offering Gold and Diamond members a Daily Food & Beverage Credit at our luxury, full-service, lifestyle and Hilton Garden Inn hotel brands in the U.S. This credit is offered as part of the Hilton Honors MyWay benefits, in place of the prior complimentary continental breakfast.
Starting February 1, 2022, we are also increasing the credit amounts across our full-service and lifestyle brands from $12 to $15 per night, and $15 to $18 per night in select markets.
Traveling with a friend or loved one? You and up to one additional guest registered to the same room will each receive the daily credit. The credit applies to the one guest room in which the Elite member is staying and will be provided for each night of your stay.
You can use the credit towards eligible food and beverage purchases that are charged to your roomany time of dayat designated outlets throughout the property. Refreshing beverages? Check. Appetizer or desert with dinner? Check, check. Breakfast at the restaurant? Sure. Breakfast to go? No problem.
Gold members can choose to receive the Daily Food & Beverage Credit or Bonus Points as part of their Hilton Honors MyWay benefits. Diamond members will receive both the Daily Food & Beverage Credit and 1,000 Bonus Points at all brands listed above except for Hilton Garden Inn, where Diamond members can choose between the credit or 750 Bonus Points. Visit your MyWay profile through your Hilton Honors account online or through the Hilton Honors app to select your preferences before your next stay.
The credit will be applied automatically to your bill for any eligible purchases charged to your room prior to checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What hotels offer the Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit is available to Gold and Diamond members at all of Hiltons luxury, full-service and lifestyle properties as well as all Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the United States, replacing the MyWay complimentary continental breakfast benefit.
The brands include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Signia by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Motto by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn.
2. When was the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit launched?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit became available to Gold and Diamond members at all of Hiltons luxury, full-service and lifestyle properties as well as all Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the United States in July 2021.
3. Which members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit is provided to all Gold and Diamond members that select the F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit. The credit is provided to the Hilton Honors member and one additional guest registered to the same room for each night of their stay. The credit is per person (up to two people) in one guest room per stay.
Members can check their Hilton Honors status and make changes to their MyWay benefits by logging in to their account online at HiltonHonors.com or Hilton Honors mobile app.
4. What are the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit values for each Brand Category?
Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members that select the complimentary Daily F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit will receive a $10 F&B Credit per night when staying at Hilton Garden Inn, a $15 F&B Credit per night at full-service and lifestyle properties, and a $25 F&B Credit per night at luxury properties.
A $18 F&B Credit per night will be provided at full-service and lifestyle properties located in the cities of Boston, Chicago, District of Columbia, Key West, Key Largo, New York City, San Francisco, the County of Los Angeles and the state of Hawaii.
For reference, please find the full list of participating brands below.
Guests staying at Hiltons brands that offer complimentary breakfast to all guests will continue to receive this offering. The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit does not apply to the following brands: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton.
6. How does the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit work?
Prior to arrival, members will be notified by email or notification through the Hilton Honors app of the complimentary Daily F&B Credit. Members can then log in to their Hilton Honors account online or through the Hilton Honors app to select their preferred MyWay benefit for their next stay the Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit or Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Upon hotel check-in, the members status will be confirmed, and they will be informed by the front desk staff and/or the Hilton Honors app about the Daily F&B Credit including which on-property outlets are participating. Each day of their stay, the Hilton Honors member will charge their eligible F&B purchases to their room, and the credit will be automatically applied to their total bill for those F&B purchases charged to their room.
7. Will the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit accrue across days?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit is provided to the member (and up to one additional guest registered to the same room) for each night of their stay and does not accrue or rollover from one day to the next if unused.
The daily credit amount may be used in full on the day of check-in or check-out, or on various eligible items throughout these days until the maximum daily amount is reached.
8. How does the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit work for a 1-night stay? Would a member receive two credits (for check-in and check-out day) or one credit?
Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members receive one complimentary Daily F&B Credit for the member and one for the additional guest registered to the same room each night of their stay, consistent with the previous complimentary Continental Breakfast benefit. For a one-night hotel stay, a Hilton Honors member would receive one complimentary Daily F&B Credit; the member may use the credit on the day of arrival or day of departure. The credit may be used in full/entirety on day of check-in or check-out, or on various eligible items each day until the maximum daily amount or total stay maximum is reached.
9. Which F&B outlets can the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit be utilized?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit can be utilized at all participating F&B outlets on-property, including the market/grab-and-go and in-room dining/room service, where applicable, plus participating third-party outlets. The Daily F&B Credit cannot be utilized for any non-F&B related spend, such as the room rate, spa or gift shops.
10. Can members use the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit on alcoholic beverages?
The Daily F&B Credit may be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, subject to state and local laws.
11. Do members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit on day-rate reservations, such as WorkSpaces by Hilton?
Like the previous elite continental breakfast benefit, the Hilton Honors Daily F&B credit will not apply to day-rate reservations.
12. Will members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit on rates/packages that include F&B, such as the Breakfast Included rate?
Yes, Diamond or Gold members that select the complimentary Daily F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit will receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B credit on Points eligible rates including specific food & beverage rates or packages.
13. Do members who book with a group such as a meeting or conference receive the Daily F&B Credit?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit benefit is provided to Diamond and Gold members, based on their MyWay selection, on Points eligible rates and reward nights.
14. Can the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit apply to taxes and gratuity?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit can be applied to taxes and gratuity.
15. How do members add/register a guest to the reservation?
When booking the reservation through preferred Hilton channels, such as online at Hilton.com or the Hilton Honors app, members should ensure they indicate the total number of people staying in the room to receive up to two Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit allowances.
16. Does the Hilton Honors member receive an additional Daily F&B Credit for double occupancy?
The complimentary Daily F&B Credit is intended to cover up to two guests, which includes the Hilton Honors member and one additional guest registered to the same room (on one room per stay), per night.
17. Can the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit be utilized across multiple outlets within a day?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit can be utilized across multiple outlets within one day. It will be automatically applied against all eligible F&B charges made within that timeframe, up to the total daily credit amount.
18. If members do not have F&B charges, can they apply the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit to the total folio?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit was created to provide guests with more dining-related flexibility, so the credit can only be applied to eligible F&B charges billed to the members room.
19. Some members may utilize the hotel restaurants or bar areas for meetings, dinners, etc. without staying at the hotel. Does the Hilton Honors member have to be staying at the hotel to receive the F&B credit?
Hilton Honors members, even if utilizing hotel facilities such as a restaurant or bar area, must be a registered guest of the hotel to receive the complimentary Daily F&B Credit.
20. Do members receive the Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit on redemption/reward stays?
Yes, Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members that select the complimentary Daily F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit will receive the Daily F&B Credit on hotel reward stays, both reservations booked with all Points or Points & Money.
21. Do members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit at all-inclusive properties?
Like the previous elite Continental Breakfast benefit, the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit is not offered at all-inclusive properties.
22. If a member selects Points over the Daily F&B Credit on a reservation with a registered guest, do they receive double Points?
The Hilton Honors Bonus Points selection via MyWay Benefits is a one-time bonus per stay, regardless of the number of guests.
23. Can a guest make a change to their MyWay benefit mid-stay to receive the Daily F&B Credit?
No, Hilton Honors members should make their MyWay benefit selections prior to check-in or during arrival in order to receive the complimentary Daily F&B Credit.
24. When does the credit expire each day?
The credit does not expire until the member checks out, however, the daily amount re-sets each day to the maximum daily credit value. Members can use up to the total daily maximum and are responsible for anything beyond that amount.
Since the member gets a new credit each day (for the number of nights of their stay), the only day they can use any leftover credit is the morning of check-out.
25. How will the F&B Credit work between January 1-February 1, 2022?
Stays that take place between January 1-February 1, 2022 will receive the complimentary Daily F&B Credit amounts announced in 2021. The increased credit amounts for Hiltons lifestyle and full-service brands will go into effect on February 1, 2022 and beyond.
26. How will the complimentary Daily F&B Credit appear on my hotel bill/folio?
The total eligible Daily F&B Credit amount used and billed to the room during a members stay will be automatically applied and appear as one line item per day on a members hotel bill/folio, deducted from the total stay cost at the end of their stay.
27. How will the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit be handled at hotels with Executive Lounges?
At hotels that have an Executive Lounge that offers complimentary breakfast, Diamond members and Gold members upgraded to Executive Lounge access will not receive the Daily F&B Credit. These hotels will provide the Daily F&B Credit to Gold members not upgraded to Executive Lounge access.
28. Is the Daily F&B Credit now a permanent benefit?
In addition to increasing credit amounts across the lifestyle and full-service brands, Hilton Honors is extending the complimentary Daily Food & Beverage Credit into 2022 and will continue to evaluate this benefit to make the best decisions for our members going forward.
- The credit does not accumulate over the duration of your stay. For instance, if you stay for 2 nights at a $15/night property, you cannot use the benefit toward a single $30 purchase at one time.
- Thus, the credit for a given day may only be used on that day. It expires afterward.
- Unfortunately, Hilton has offered no clear explanation of what qualifies as a "day." (FAQ 24 purports to give an answer, but makes no sense.)
- Some properties reportedly apply a "calendar day" rule. For a stay arriving Monday and departing Wednesday (two nights, ergo two credits), this means the credit is available only on Monday (first credit) and Tuesday (second credit), with no option for breakfast use on Wednesday.
- Other properties don't use midnight as the cutoff, but instead allow use of a day's credit until the bar/restaurant closes, even if that occurs early the next calendar day (say, 1am). This interpretation also precludes use for breakfast on the day of departure.
- Neither of these approaches makes logical sense, given that on a one-night stay the credit may be used either on day of arrival or day of departure, per FAQ 8.
- A few properties reportedly use the standard checkin or checkout time as the dividing line: guest arriving Monday has until noon or 3pm Tuesday to use the first day's credit (or whatever the checkin/checkout times for that property are).
Official Hilton benefit statement (updated for 2022) with FAQ at end:
Through 2022, well be offering Gold and Diamond members a Daily Food & Beverage Credit at our luxury, full-service, lifestyle and Hilton Garden Inn hotel brands in the U.S. This credit is offered as part of the Hilton Honors MyWay benefits, in place of the prior complimentary continental breakfast.
Starting February 1, 2022, we are also increasing the credit amounts across our full-service and lifestyle brands from $12 to $15 per night, and $15 to $18 per night in select markets.
Traveling with a friend or loved one? You and up to one additional guest registered to the same room will each receive the daily credit. The credit applies to the one guest room in which the Elite member is staying and will be provided for each night of your stay.
You can use the credit towards eligible food and beverage purchases that are charged to your roomany time of dayat designated outlets throughout the property. Refreshing beverages? Check. Appetizer or desert with dinner? Check, check. Breakfast at the restaurant? Sure. Breakfast to go? No problem.
Gold members can choose to receive the Daily Food & Beverage Credit or Bonus Points as part of their Hilton Honors MyWay benefits. Diamond members will receive both the Daily Food & Beverage Credit and 1,000 Bonus Points at all brands listed above except for Hilton Garden Inn, where Diamond members can choose between the credit or 750 Bonus Points. Visit your MyWay profile through your Hilton Honors account online or through the Hilton Honors app to select your preferences before your next stay.
The credit will be applied automatically to your bill for any eligible purchases charged to your room prior to checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What hotels offer the Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit is available to Gold and Diamond members at all of Hiltons luxury, full-service and lifestyle properties as well as all Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the United States, replacing the MyWay complimentary continental breakfast benefit.
The brands include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Signia by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Motto by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn.
2. When was the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit launched?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit became available to Gold and Diamond members at all of Hiltons luxury, full-service and lifestyle properties as well as all Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the United States in July 2021.
3. Which members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit is provided to all Gold and Diamond members that select the F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit. The credit is provided to the Hilton Honors member and one additional guest registered to the same room for each night of their stay. The credit is per person (up to two people) in one guest room per stay.
Members can check their Hilton Honors status and make changes to their MyWay benefits by logging in to their account online at HiltonHonors.com or Hilton Honors mobile app.
4. What are the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit values for each Brand Category?
Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members that select the complimentary Daily F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit will receive a $10 F&B Credit per night when staying at Hilton Garden Inn, a $15 F&B Credit per night at full-service and lifestyle properties, and a $25 F&B Credit per night at luxury properties.
A $18 F&B Credit per night will be provided at full-service and lifestyle properties located in the cities of Boston, Chicago, District of Columbia, Key West, Key Largo, New York City, San Francisco, the County of Los Angeles and the state of Hawaii.
For reference, please find the full list of participating brands below.
- Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
- LXR Hotels & Resorts
- Conrad Hotels & Resorts
- Signia by Hilton
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- Curio Collection by Hilton
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Tapestry Collection by Hilton
- Canopy by Hilton
- Motto by Hilton
- Hilton Garden Inn
Guests staying at Hiltons brands that offer complimentary breakfast to all guests will continue to receive this offering. The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit does not apply to the following brands: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton.
6. How does the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit work?
Prior to arrival, members will be notified by email or notification through the Hilton Honors app of the complimentary Daily F&B Credit. Members can then log in to their Hilton Honors account online or through the Hilton Honors app to select their preferred MyWay benefit for their next stay the Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit or Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Upon hotel check-in, the members status will be confirmed, and they will be informed by the front desk staff and/or the Hilton Honors app about the Daily F&B Credit including which on-property outlets are participating. Each day of their stay, the Hilton Honors member will charge their eligible F&B purchases to their room, and the credit will be automatically applied to their total bill for those F&B purchases charged to their room.
7. Will the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit accrue across days?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit is provided to the member (and up to one additional guest registered to the same room) for each night of their stay and does not accrue or rollover from one day to the next if unused.
The daily credit amount may be used in full on the day of check-in or check-out, or on various eligible items throughout these days until the maximum daily amount is reached.
8. How does the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit work for a 1-night stay? Would a member receive two credits (for check-in and check-out day) or one credit?
Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members receive one complimentary Daily F&B Credit for the member and one for the additional guest registered to the same room each night of their stay, consistent with the previous complimentary Continental Breakfast benefit. For a one-night hotel stay, a Hilton Honors member would receive one complimentary Daily F&B Credit; the member may use the credit on the day of arrival or day of departure. The credit may be used in full/entirety on day of check-in or check-out, or on various eligible items each day until the maximum daily amount or total stay maximum is reached.
9. Which F&B outlets can the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit be utilized?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit can be utilized at all participating F&B outlets on-property, including the market/grab-and-go and in-room dining/room service, where applicable, plus participating third-party outlets. The Daily F&B Credit cannot be utilized for any non-F&B related spend, such as the room rate, spa or gift shops.
10. Can members use the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit on alcoholic beverages?
The Daily F&B Credit may be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, subject to state and local laws.
11. Do members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit on day-rate reservations, such as WorkSpaces by Hilton?
Like the previous elite continental breakfast benefit, the Hilton Honors Daily F&B credit will not apply to day-rate reservations.
12. Will members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit on rates/packages that include F&B, such as the Breakfast Included rate?
Yes, Diamond or Gold members that select the complimentary Daily F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit will receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B credit on Points eligible rates including specific food & beverage rates or packages.
13. Do members who book with a group such as a meeting or conference receive the Daily F&B Credit?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit benefit is provided to Diamond and Gold members, based on their MyWay selection, on Points eligible rates and reward nights.
14. Can the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit apply to taxes and gratuity?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit can be applied to taxes and gratuity.
15. How do members add/register a guest to the reservation?
When booking the reservation through preferred Hilton channels, such as online at Hilton.com or the Hilton Honors app, members should ensure they indicate the total number of people staying in the room to receive up to two Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit allowances.
16. Does the Hilton Honors member receive an additional Daily F&B Credit for double occupancy?
The complimentary Daily F&B Credit is intended to cover up to two guests, which includes the Hilton Honors member and one additional guest registered to the same room (on one room per stay), per night.
17. Can the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit be utilized across multiple outlets within a day?
The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit can be utilized across multiple outlets within one day. It will be automatically applied against all eligible F&B charges made within that timeframe, up to the total daily credit amount.
18. If members do not have F&B charges, can they apply the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit to the total folio?
The Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit was created to provide guests with more dining-related flexibility, so the credit can only be applied to eligible F&B charges billed to the members room.
19. Some members may utilize the hotel restaurants or bar areas for meetings, dinners, etc. without staying at the hotel. Does the Hilton Honors member have to be staying at the hotel to receive the F&B credit?
Hilton Honors members, even if utilizing hotel facilities such as a restaurant or bar area, must be a registered guest of the hotel to receive the complimentary Daily F&B Credit.
20. Do members receive the Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit on redemption/reward stays?
Yes, Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond members that select the complimentary Daily F&B Credit as their MyWay benefit will receive the Daily F&B Credit on hotel reward stays, both reservations booked with all Points or Points & Money.
21. Do members receive the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit at all-inclusive properties?
Like the previous elite Continental Breakfast benefit, the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit is not offered at all-inclusive properties.
22. If a member selects Points over the Daily F&B Credit on a reservation with a registered guest, do they receive double Points?
The Hilton Honors Bonus Points selection via MyWay Benefits is a one-time bonus per stay, regardless of the number of guests.
23. Can a guest make a change to their MyWay benefit mid-stay to receive the Daily F&B Credit?
No, Hilton Honors members should make their MyWay benefit selections prior to check-in or during arrival in order to receive the complimentary Daily F&B Credit.
24. When does the credit expire each day?
The credit does not expire until the member checks out, however, the daily amount re-sets each day to the maximum daily credit value. Members can use up to the total daily maximum and are responsible for anything beyond that amount.
Since the member gets a new credit each day (for the number of nights of their stay), the only day they can use any leftover credit is the morning of check-out.
25. How will the F&B Credit work between January 1-February 1, 2022?
Stays that take place between January 1-February 1, 2022 will receive the complimentary Daily F&B Credit amounts announced in 2021. The increased credit amounts for Hiltons lifestyle and full-service brands will go into effect on February 1, 2022 and beyond.
26. How will the complimentary Daily F&B Credit appear on my hotel bill/folio?
The total eligible Daily F&B Credit amount used and billed to the room during a members stay will be automatically applied and appear as one line item per day on a members hotel bill/folio, deducted from the total stay cost at the end of their stay.
27. How will the Hilton Honors Daily F&B Credit be handled at hotels with Executive Lounges?
At hotels that have an Executive Lounge that offers complimentary breakfast, Diamond members and Gold members upgraded to Executive Lounge access will not receive the Daily F&B Credit. These hotels will provide the Daily F&B Credit to Gold members not upgraded to Executive Lounge access.
28. Is the Daily F&B Credit now a permanent benefit?
In addition to increasing credit amounts across the lifestyle and full-service brands, Hilton Honors is extending the complimentary Daily Food & Beverage Credit into 2022 and will continue to evaluate this benefit to make the best decisions for our members going forward.
Hilton's new U.S. Hotels Daily Food & Beverage Credit for Elite members thru 2021
May 21, 2021, 9:03 am
#151
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
Question - have they said how this impacts lounge access for Diamonds? Wouldn't be too bad if those rare US hotels with decent lounges have a basic breakfast and then allow us to double-dip the credit to get an extra $24-$50 worth of F&B.
May 21, 2021, 9:14 am
#152
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
This. This is even worse that the paltry and stupidly low value of the "benefit".
So now we have to audit our own bill even more thoroughly before we checkout - do we really think this is going to be done smoothly and accurately by the night clerk? - and say goodbye to checking out without having to stop at the desk.
AND this is a royal pain in the a** for my expense reporting. I have to show individual per meals cost with receipts. A lump "meals credit" adjustment applied to day of stay is a mess to report. Why can't this be a voucher/benefit that is processed at the time of meal purchase rather than an after the fact manual adjustment by the night clerk?
When I stay at Hiltons under this policy - I will be taking the points and taking my breakfast at an off property restaurant or coffee shop. Hotels aren't going to get me to pay more for this "benefit"
So now we have to audit our own bill even more thoroughly before we checkout - do we really think this is going to be done smoothly and accurately by the night clerk? - and say goodbye to checking out without having to stop at the desk.
AND this is a royal pain in the a** for my expense reporting. I have to show individual per meals cost with receipts. A lump "meals credit" adjustment applied to day of stay is a mess to report. Why can't this be a voucher/benefit that is processed at the time of meal purchase rather than an after the fact manual adjustment by the night clerk?
When I stay at Hiltons under this policy - I will be taking the points and taking my breakfast at an off property restaurant or coffee shop. Hotels aren't going to get me to pay more for this "benefit"
FYI, if you don't receive an email receipt before you check out, you should always stop by the front desk when you check out for a paper receipt, twice I had been scammed by two different properties, once was a HGI put a parking charge in my folio, they said I had used my key card to insert into the machine to raise the gate to the lot, now I was by myself and I don't even have a driver's license, so who was driving then ? Another time I was at a curio and they claimed I never check-in so I earned no points, luckily I have made them to print out a check out receipt as proof with my HHonors number on it.
Last edited by Canarsie; May 21, 2021 at 1:22 pm Reason: Consolidated.
May 21, 2021, 9:24 am
#153
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,254
The most outrageous part of this is that they COULD use this change to delineate a better benefit for Diamond vs Gold even if it were only $5 more but it seems they are going to paint it all with the same brush.
May 21, 2021, 9:28 am
#154
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Some properties that are doing the F&B credit currently are actually giving you a paper voucher but not taken off $15 off your final bill, e.g. Hilton LAX
FYI, if you don't receive an email receipt before you check out, you should always stop by the front desk when you check out for a paper receipt.
FYI, if you don't receive an email receipt before you check out, you should always stop by the front desk when you check out for a paper receipt.
This system just makes it more likely that there will be errors in the folio, making things for difficult for me as a customer.
YMMV.
May 21, 2021, 9:34 am
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
Not really, at Hyatt you are just paying for your benefits, they are charging constantly higher no matter Hyatt, Hyatt place, Hyatt house vs Hilton/doubletree, HGI, Homewood
May 21, 2021, 9:36 am
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,633
Some properties that are doing the F&B credit currently are actually giving you a paper voucher but not taken off $15 off your final bill, e.g. Hilton LAX
FYI, if you don't receive an email receipt before you check out, you should always stop by the front desk when you check out for a paper receipt, twice I had been scammed by two different properties, once was a HGI put a parking charge in my folio, they said I had used my key card to insert into the machine to raise the gate to the lot, now I was by myself and I don't even have a driver's liceense, so who was driving then ? Another time I was at a curio and they claimed I never check-in so I earned no points, luckily I have made them to print out a check out receipt as proof.
FYI, if you don't receive an email receipt before you check out, you should always stop by the front desk when you check out for a paper receipt, twice I had been scammed by two different properties, once was a HGI put a parking charge in my folio, they said I had used my key card to insert into the machine to raise the gate to the lot, now I was by myself and I don't even have a driver's liceense, so who was driving then ? Another time I was at a curio and they claimed I never check-in so I earned no points, luckily I have made them to print out a check out receipt as proof.
, meals that were included in the rate and breakfasts included with status, rates I didn't book, phone calls I've never made, movies I've never watched, minibars I've never opened (even when refusing the key), and pretty much every other item you could imagine. Unless there's an absurd line when I leave the hotel, I request a printed final folio.As far as the instant policy, the Gold policy until now sometimes tipped the scale in my staying at a Hilton property. Oh well. ♫ Honors, can you hear me, Honors can you hear me? ♫ Or are you deaf, dumb and blind?
May 21, 2021, 9:37 am
#157
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 569
I love these threads. This thread will probably end up with like 1000+ posts, everyone will lose their mind, there will be threats of leaving, gnashing of teeth, tearing of clothes, and then in a couple weeks life will move on until there is the next, new, new thing to complain about.
Seriously, though, this is sort of a big deal. Many people called HH Gold 'THE best mid-tier status' and claimed how simple and elegant is the benefit (in difference to Marriott, when the breakfast benefit for Plat and above is one convoluted mess).
Will Hilton see a huge decrease in following? No, that's fairly unlikely. But it will certainly impact some decisions near the margin.
May 21, 2021, 9:38 am
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Sorry I did not make myself clear. This HGI was an unlimited buffet pre-covid. This is how they have chosen to "handle" the current situation (for elites).
May 21, 2021, 9:44 am
#159
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
And I think we should be comparing the new benefit to pre-Covid...since the pandemic is ostensibly over, to compare the benefits to what was the last year is apples and oranges. Of course things are going to look good when you compare them to practically nothing...but how does the $15 per room look compared to what we got a year and a half ago? Or does Hilton think we have forgotten and we'll just be so thrilled to share one cup of coffee and one muffin with our traveling companion?
May 21, 2021, 9:47 am
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
As many have stated, this is a p*** poor change for elites, since there is no standard that credits will ever actually cover the cost of a breakfast (that includes coffee/juice). When coffee is $5 (no refills) and the cheapest breakfast is $12, you're having to pay out of pocket (and put it on the room, when corporate may not want to see extra charges on a room). It already fired me up when a place would offer a paltry credit at the coffee shop (here's to you Hilton SD Bayfront) instead of their required breakfast benefit, so this may start pushing me to avoid Hilton in many cases (or at least book more Hamptons).
And I think we should be comparing the new benefit to pre-Covid...since the pandemic is ostensibly over, to compare the benefits to what was the last year is apples and oranges. Of course things are going to look good when you compare them to practically nothing...but how does the $15 per room look compared to what we got a year and a half ago? Or does Hilton think we have forgotten and we'll just be so thrilled to share one cup of coffee and one muffin with our traveling companion?
Last edited by Canarsie; May 21, 2021 at 1:24 pm Reason: Consolidated.
May 21, 2021, 9:59 am
#161
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: $9 Fare Club
Posts: 1,482
That's not been my experience over the past year, I've found Hyatt to be very competitive price wise.
May 21, 2021, 10:00 am
#162
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,362
In the near term, with so many properties having suspended proper breakfast service, the food and beverage credit will in many cases be an improvement. Better to enjoy a cocktail or appetizer in the evening rather than a brown-bagged granola bar and banana in the morning. But I worry about the long-term implications as things return to normal.
Indeed, while I appreciate the flexibility of a credit on those days when I don't want or cannot attend breakfast, I fear that the credit amounts will be insufficient to cover anything substantial. A muffin and coffee at the lobby Starbucks won't cut it.
Hilton should mandate that restaurant menus include a continental breakfast offering priced to match the credit. Corporate would also have to dictate some minimum standards for that offering (e.g., to include fresh fruit, pastry, yogurt, coffee/tea, and juice), since "continental" doesn't really mean anything. Some U.S. hotels already operated this way (e.g., Conrad New York Midtown, The Porter Portland Curio Collection, etc.), so perhaps there is hope.
Waldorf Astoria properties have had the option of offering a food and beverage credit in lieu of continental breakfast ever since Hilton introduced the benefit in January 2018. (Previously, the WA brand had been exempt from the complimentary breakfast benefit.) I've only encountered vouchers in the U.S.; international WA properties have always comped a full hot buffet.
Pre-pandemic, Conrad New York Downtown offered a choice of breakfast buffet or $20/person credit toward ŕ la carte menu on weekends/holidays. During the work week, when no buffet was provisioned, the hotel offered choice of set continental menu or $20/person credit.
Similarly, the $30/person credit at Conrad New York Midtown exactly covered the price of continental buffet.
Indeed, while I appreciate the flexibility of a credit on those days when I don't want or cannot attend breakfast, I fear that the credit amounts will be insufficient to cover anything substantial. A muffin and coffee at the lobby Starbucks won't cut it.
Hilton should mandate that restaurant menus include a continental breakfast offering priced to match the credit. Corporate would also have to dictate some minimum standards for that offering (e.g., to include fresh fruit, pastry, yogurt, coffee/tea, and juice), since "continental" doesn't really mean anything. Some U.S. hotels already operated this way (e.g., Conrad New York Midtown, The Porter Portland Curio Collection, etc.), so perhaps there is hope.
Pre-pandemic, Conrad New York Downtown offered a choice of breakfast buffet or $20/person credit toward ŕ la carte menu on weekends/holidays. During the work week, when no buffet was provisioned, the hotel offered choice of set continental menu or $20/person credit.
Similarly, the $30/person credit at Conrad New York Midtown exactly covered the price of continental buffet.
May 21, 2021, 10:03 am
#163
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NOVA
Programs: IHG Rewards Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, UA/DL/AA Back of the plane...
Posts: 4,612
And I stand by my earlier statement that I will wait to see what happens. I think this has more to do with the ramp up of services in restaurants and giving the hotels time to hire / train staff between now and the end of the year.
I am hoping I am right that they will stand by the email that says it is for now until the end of the year.
We just checked with our stay next week at a DT in TX (and TX has been pretty open the whole time) "breakfast" is a grab and go from starbucks. I would rather $$$ at the bar.
May 21, 2021, 10:05 am
#164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
While I'm not dismissing anyone's concerns here, I'm a little confused as to the issue at hand. The MyWay benefits re breakfast are food OR points. Why would Hilton give away a voucher instead of just raising the points alternative? I've seen no comments about this. From that perspective as customers we can pass on the breakfast and already get an HHonors credit. Don't get me wrong, I like a good breakfast, and the benefit has been valuable for me, but if it's not included I'll take the meagre points offer rather than a voucher that I'm unlikely to use.
By giving a credit that can be used on anything but not just breakfast is a better option that giving more points, how many points you think they will give instead of breakfast anyway ?
May 21, 2021, 10:05 am
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 10,003
I don't drink, so like I said above, I tend to use the credits on candy for my wife/kids. I can expense breakfast, but usually only eat breakfast at a hotel if it is a buffet style with no waiting (such as Embassy). Otherwise, I will grab something at someplace like McDonalds.
