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, we’ll 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 room—any time of day—at 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 Hilton’s 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 Hilton’s 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 Hilton’s 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 member’s 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 member’s 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 Hilton’s 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 member’s stay will be automatically applied and appear as one line item per day on a member’s 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, we’ll 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 room—any time of day—at 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 Hilton’s 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 Hilton’s 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 Hilton’s 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 member’s 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 member’s 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 Hilton’s 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 member’s stay will be automatically applied and appear as one line item per day on a member’s 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 22, 2021, 1:35 pm
#196
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: MCO
Posts: 384
That would be a problem for one night stay for people who won't have breakfast due to early flight. Then they can't use it on the night of check in.
May 22, 2021, 1:37 pm
#197
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,321
I think you misunderstand. The credit will likely be good from check-in until checkout on a one night stay, as is the case with daily f&b credits at any hotel I've ever heard of.
May 22, 2021, 2:46 pm
#198
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 36
I have two questions in my mind at the moment:
1. will this also count for already made reservations? I have an upcoming reservation for august at Hilton and my reservation clearly states the free breakfast as an benefit for gold members. Otherwise I hadn’t booked this hotel!
2. will I get the F&B credit even if I book an executive room which includes breakfast? The upgrade for my upcoming reservation is less then the F&B would be! So if both were counting that would be a great deal.
1. will this also count for already made reservations? I have an upcoming reservation for august at Hilton and my reservation clearly states the free breakfast as an benefit for gold members. Otherwise I hadn’t booked this hotel!
2. will I get the F&B credit even if I book an executive room which includes breakfast? The upgrade for my upcoming reservation is less then the F&B would be! So if both were counting that would be a great deal.
May 22, 2021, 3:13 pm
#199
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
Basically, there are Marriott properties that have gone rogue and are telling elites they are currently not offering elite breakfast, and are giving out points instead… but the hotel restaurant is operating and guests can pay for breakfast if they want.
May 22, 2021, 4:10 pm
#200
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: FAI/ANC
Programs: AS MVPG (R.I.P 75K), DL, HH Gold
Posts: 187
HGI Anchorage pulled that stunt last summer. Fortunately, a staff member who previously worked for a quality Hilton property in the states overruled this nonsense and gave me breakfast when he learned that the mgt "forgot" to mention this when I called prior to arrival to see what the status of breakfast would be. Even so, the food was so poorly prepared that I took two bites, threw the rest out, and then made a beeline for the Fire Island Bakery 😋
Last edited by Canarsie; May 22, 2021 at 5:43 pm Reason: Fixed quote formatting.
May 22, 2021, 5:21 pm
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,074
I have two questions in my mind at the moment:
1. will this also count for already made reservations? I have an upcoming reservation for august at Hilton and my reservation clearly states the free breakfast as an benefit for gold members. Otherwise I hadn’t booked this hotel!
2. will I get the F&B credit even if I book an executive room which includes breakfast? The upgrade for my upcoming reservation is less then the F&B would be! So if both were counting that would be a great deal.
1. will this also count for already made reservations? I have an upcoming reservation for august at Hilton and my reservation clearly states the free breakfast as an benefit for gold members. Otherwise I hadn’t booked this hotel!
2. will I get the F&B credit even if I book an executive room which includes breakfast? The upgrade for my upcoming reservation is less then the F&B would be! So if both were counting that would be a great deal.
May 22, 2021, 5:24 pm
#202
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
No. Hilton has only stated that this policy will be in effect through the end of the year. Which doesn't mean squat in reality. Perhaps this is being done because a lot of their hotel restaurants will not be going back to normal operations for a while even though restrictions are easing up. And one of those factors is that business travel (and which drives a lot of the F&B revenue) is going to take a while to rebound. However, they should have done this several months ago, if these are the reasons why they are doing this in the first place, given that breakfast offerings have been minimal for over a year now.
As with much in this industry, the hiding a devaluation as a "benefit" and getting a marketing outlet like TPG to promote it is really bad conduct by Hilton.
When I first read the email, I thought there would be a choice of breakfast *or* a credit, but a credit of what appears to be max $20 is an insult to elite customers.
AT this point, few hotels that have any F&B don't have breakfast. The credit won't cover breakfast at most if any properties. On principle, rather than paying an extra $5 plus tip out of pocket for a continental breakfast, I'll spend $10 at Starbucks.
(If you're staying at a resort where a full breakfast costs only $17.95, maybe this calculus is different, but I think a hot breakfast at most Hilton Garden Inns cost that much.)
This essentially is equivalent to IHG's drink voucher.
It's also outrageous to give no notice, after Hilton elites made reservations based on the terms of the program that provided them breakfast. There were breakfast inclusive rates I would have booked for upcoming stays had I known Hilton was pulling this nonsense.
If this was just about limited offerings, they could have said "In hotels that are not offering full breakfast" or given customers an option. This is a revenue grab, and accompanied by deceptive marketing content by TPG fawning over Hilton. I have canceled at least 1 upcoming stay because of this and am looking at options for two others.
When I first read the email, I thought there would be a choice of breakfast *or* a credit, but a credit of what appears to be max $20 is an insult to elite customers.
AT this point, few hotels that have any F&B don't have breakfast. The credit won't cover breakfast at most if any properties. On principle, rather than paying an extra $5 plus tip out of pocket for a continental breakfast, I'll spend $10 at Starbucks.
(If you're staying at a resort where a full breakfast costs only $17.95, maybe this calculus is different, but I think a hot breakfast at most Hilton Garden Inns cost that much.)
This essentially is equivalent to IHG's drink voucher.
It's also outrageous to give no notice, after Hilton elites made reservations based on the terms of the program that provided them breakfast. There were breakfast inclusive rates I would have booked for upcoming stays had I known Hilton was pulling this nonsense.
If this was just about limited offerings, they could have said "In hotels that are not offering full breakfast" or given customers an option. This is a revenue grab, and accompanied by deceptive marketing content by TPG fawning over Hilton. I have canceled at least 1 upcoming stay because of this and am looking at options for two others.
I have two questions in my mind at the moment:
1. will this also count for already made reservations? I have an upcoming reservation for august at Hilton and my reservation clearly states the free breakfast as an benefit for gold members. Otherwise I hadn’t booked this hotel!
2. will I get the F&B credit even if I book an executive room which includes breakfast? The upgrade for my upcoming reservation is less then the F&B would be! So if both were counting that would be a great deal.
1. will this also count for already made reservations? I have an upcoming reservation for august at Hilton and my reservation clearly states the free breakfast as an benefit for gold members. Otherwise I hadn’t booked this hotel!
2. will I get the F&B credit even if I book an executive room which includes breakfast? The upgrade for my upcoming reservation is less then the F&B would be! So if both were counting that would be a great deal.
I'll be shocked if the credit covers the entire value of breakfast.
Before you make any decisions, check out the long thread in the Marriott forum about corporate not enforcing brand standards/elite benefits.
Basically, there are Marriott properties that have gone rogue and are telling elites they are currently not offering elite breakfast, and are giving out points instead… but the hotel restaurant is operating and guests can pay for breakfast if they want.
Basically, there are Marriott properties that have gone rogue and are telling elites they are currently not offering elite breakfast, and are giving out points instead… but the hotel restaurant is operating and guests can pay for breakfast if they want.
His first question seem to ask about elite benefit.
Last edited by Canarsie; May 22, 2021 at 5:41 pm Reason: Consolidated.
May 22, 2021, 5:30 pm
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,074
I find it disturbing that as a Hilton Diamond I have not yet received an Email from Hilton about this 'enhancement'. It is also extremely annoying that they don't specify what this credit will be leaving the door wide open for misuse by individual hotels.
I'll probably cancel 16 nights booked for the year ... those are overseas ... But what gives, with the HH credit card promo I already requalified anyway. Got to show my appreciation for this change somehow
I'll probably cancel 16 nights booked for the year ... those are overseas ... But what gives, with the HH credit card promo I already requalified anyway. Got to show my appreciation for this change somehow
May 22, 2021, 5:31 pm
#204
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: MCO
Posts: 384
HGI Anchorage pulled that stunt last summer. Fortunately, a staff member who previously worked for a quality Hilton property in the states overruled this nonsense and gave me breakfast when he learned that the mgt "forgot" to mention this when I called prior to arrival to see what the status of breakfast would be. Even so, the food was so poorly prepared that I took two bites, threw the rest out, and then made a beeline for the Fire Island Bakery 😋
May 22, 2021, 5:46 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
I find it disturbing that as a Hilton Diamond I have not yet received an Email from Hilton about this 'enhancement'. It is also extremely annoying that they don't specify what this credit will be leaving the door wide open for misuse by individual hotels.
I'll probably cancel 16 nights booked for the year ... those are overseas ... But what gives, with the HH credit card promo I already requalified anyway. Got to show my appreciation for this change somehow
I'll probably cancel 16 nights booked for the year ... those are overseas ... But what gives, with the HH credit card promo I already requalified anyway. Got to show my appreciation for this change somehow
May 22, 2021, 8:56 pm
#206
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New York City, United States.
Posts: 2,629
I think this is Great!!! NOT A DEVALUATION
I like it.
Who wants a communal buffet?
Also when traveling for vacation, I think breakfast for room service is a really nice treat. If you use the in- room Keurig machine for your coffee to go with breakfast room service, and skip orange juice,,You can keep it reasonable. A $30 subsidy makes it palatable ( pun intended)
I can't imagine this being less than $15 P.P upto 2 Irrespective of the brand and maybe $25 P,) and Waldorf LXR .
I don't need "free" breakfast in a venue I don't want to go to.
If in an urban hotel , coffee and a banana ( OK who am I kidding , a corn muffin or donut ) from a store right outside the hotel for $5 is a nice option.
A captive breakfast is a "time suck"
Hilton is looking for price support on room night rates and I think they are actually throwing us a bone.
I'm by no means a "Hilton Apologist", and yeah there have been a series of "changes" that WERE devaluations, But let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Do you think that would really be tacky enough to give us a $7 daily food-beverage.credit?: I think $15 to $25 per person depending on brand and perhaps status level.
Also realize this may drive additional revenue if elite eat dinner on premise to "use" the credit..
Wow --- Brainstorm----how about a little larger daily credit for Diamond over Golds? A little differentiation.
Who wants a communal buffet?
Also when traveling for vacation, I think breakfast for room service is a really nice treat. If you use the in- room Keurig machine for your coffee to go with breakfast room service, and skip orange juice,,You can keep it reasonable. A $30 subsidy makes it palatable ( pun intended)
I can't imagine this being less than $15 P.P upto 2 Irrespective of the brand and maybe $25 P,) and Waldorf LXR .
I don't need "free" breakfast in a venue I don't want to go to.
If in an urban hotel , coffee and a banana ( OK who am I kidding , a corn muffin or donut
) from a store right outside the hotel for $5 is a nice option.A captive breakfast is a "time suck"
Hilton is looking for price support on room night rates and I think they are actually throwing us a bone.
I'm by no means a "Hilton Apologist", and yeah there have been a series of "changes" that WERE devaluations, But let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Do you think that would really be tacky enough to give us a $7 daily food-beverage.credit?: I think $15 to $25 per person depending on brand and perhaps status level.
Also realize this may drive additional revenue if elite eat dinner on premise to "use" the credit..
Wow --- Brainstorm----how about a little larger daily credit for Diamond over Golds? A little differentiation.
May 22, 2021, 9:43 pm
#207
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,321
I like it.
Who wants a communal buffet?
Also when traveling for vacation, I think breakfast for room service is a really nice treat. If you use the in- room Keurig machine for your coffee to go with breakfast room service, and skip orange juice,,You can keep it reasonable. A $30 subsidy makes it palatable ( pun intended)
I can't imagine this being less than $15 P.P upto 2 Irrespective of the brand and maybe $25 P,) and Waldorf LXR .
I don't need "free" breakfast in a venue I don't want to go to.
If in an urban hotel , coffee and a banana ( OK who am I kidding , a corn muffin or donut ) from a store right outside the hotel for $5 is a nice option.
A captive breakfast is a "time suck"
Hilton is looking for price support on room night rates and I think they are actually throwing us a bone.
I'm by no means a "Hilton Apologist", and yeah there have been a series of "changes" that WERE devaluations, But let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Do you think that would really be tacky enough to give us a $7 daily food-beverage.credit?: I think $15 to $25 per person depending on brand and perhaps status level.
Also realize this may drive additional revenue if elite eat dinner on premise to "use" the credit..
Wow --- Brainstorm----how about a little larger daily credit for Diamond over Golds? A little differentiation.
Who wants a communal buffet?
Also when traveling for vacation, I think breakfast for room service is a really nice treat. If you use the in- room Keurig machine for your coffee to go with breakfast room service, and skip orange juice,,You can keep it reasonable. A $30 subsidy makes it palatable ( pun intended)
I can't imagine this being less than $15 P.P upto 2 Irrespective of the brand and maybe $25 P,) and Waldorf LXR .
I don't need "free" breakfast in a venue I don't want to go to.
If in an urban hotel , coffee and a banana ( OK who am I kidding , a corn muffin or donut
) from a store right outside the hotel for $5 is a nice option.A captive breakfast is a "time suck"
Hilton is looking for price support on room night rates and I think they are actually throwing us a bone.
I'm by no means a "Hilton Apologist", and yeah there have been a series of "changes" that WERE devaluations, But let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Do you think that would really be tacky enough to give us a $7 daily food-beverage.credit?: I think $15 to $25 per person depending on brand and perhaps status level.
Also realize this may drive additional revenue if elite eat dinner on premise to "use" the credit..
Wow --- Brainstorm----how about a little larger daily credit for Diamond over Golds? A little differentiation.
I don't know what Hilton you are staying at where $12 would make even a dent in a room service bill. You don't eat a big breakfast which is fine and all, but plenty of people do. It's hard to see how going from a breakfast that costs more than $12 to $12 is not a devaluation.
If they simply gave a choice of breakfast or F&b credit, then your suggestion this isn't a devaluation might have weight. But plenty of people actually enjoy having a hotel breakfast when traveling for work or for pleasure. If they didn't, hotels wouldn't be charging so much for them as everyone would get a Keurig and a banana.
May 22, 2021, 10:01 pm
#208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Accoridng to some bloggers though the credits can't be stacked so who knows. i.e. if you are there two nights and you get a $15 credit each day you cna't skip using it the one day and stack them and use them $30 the next day.
I'm wondering if they'll be able to be used in the restaurant stores if they have one or for places like Vegas if you can use them in their venues or at the pool bars for appetizer or drinks.
Before you make any decisions, check out the long thread in the Marriott forum about corporate not enforcing brand standards/elite benefits.
Basically, there are Marriott properties that have gone rogue and are telling elites they are currently not offering elite breakfast, and are giving out points instead… but the hotel restaurant is operating and guests can pay for breakfast if they want.
Basically, there are Marriott properties that have gone rogue and are telling elites they are currently not offering elite breakfast, and are giving out points instead… but the hotel restaurant is operating and guests can pay for breakfast if they want.
A devaluation Marriott made at the Downtown Courtyard in Toronto was the bistro. I used to get breakfast included as part of my corporate rate and it was one of the best hotel breakfast buffets in North America I had and they got rid of that and put the Bistro in but I think that was a chainwide change.
Last edited by Canarsie; May 23, 2021 at 5:12 pm Reason: Consolidation.
May 22, 2021, 10:42 pm
#209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
Wow! I sure hope Hyatt doesn't decide to follow Marriott and Hilton.
A devaluation Marriott made at the Downtown Courtyard in Toronto was the bistro. I used to get breakfast included as part of my corporate rate and it was one of the best hotel breakfast buffets in North America I had and they got rid of that and put the Bistro in but I think that was a chainwide change.
A devaluation Marriott made at the Downtown Courtyard in Toronto was the bistro. I used to get breakfast included as part of my corporate rate and it was one of the best hotel breakfast buffets in North America I had and they got rid of that and put the Bistro in but I think that was a chainwide change.
May 22, 2021, 11:12 pm
#210
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Midwest
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Diamond, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver
Posts: 571
Maybe smart hotels will design a couple of reasonable breakfast offerings that will be covered by the credit. They could follow what some FS Marriott properties do (or did pre-covid) on weekends when their lounges are closed and have a "continental breakfast" which would be covered by the credit and offer a reasonable (was usually $5) upgrade for hot foot. I don't doubt there was a segment of members they surveyed preferred the FB credit. If you are traveling on someone else's dime this is a great deal for you and I think they want to cater to whatever business travel is starting back up. For those that pay their own way this likely will turn out to be a devaluation. I also wonder if this sticks what happens to the lounges next year.