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 27, 2021, 9:10 am
#271
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
These are the natural reactions when a change first happens. Will some people think this way? Absolutely. However, let's be real in the actual impact.. As we've seen with the exit of things such as some executive lounges. People kicked and screamed, and threatened to leave. Those resorts continue to thrive. The executive lounge, while nice, was not the reason people stayed there in the first place. We can all scream "Hyatt" from the rooftops as loud as we want because of breakfast. At the end of the day, we know just how practical that really is for most people.
For some people, believe it or not, this change is better. When I traveled for business, breakfast wasn't out of my pocket anyways. Now I'd have an extra credit for something else, like maybe alcohol that wasn't covered before. For other stays where breakfast was already included, those stays are now elevated. I have an upcoming Embassy stay and now I have an extra credit I didn't have before, while not losing anything else. Some people also don't eat breakfast or don't want to eat at the same place each morning. There are plenty of ways to get breakfast included if it is that important.
Don't get me wrong, there is a breaking point that makes a hotel/chain no longer worth staying at. There are definitely some impacts here that aren't welcome. At the end of the day, I'll continue to decide on the stay as a whole. I recently just did an IHG stay in a suite where Hilton was not the better choice. Instead of worrying about "free breakfast" I saved hundreds on the room rate, had a fantastic stay, and fried up a few eggs from my balcony. There's more to life than "free free free". Especially when you pay more for "free" stuff.
For some people, believe it or not, this change is better. When I traveled for business, breakfast wasn't out of my pocket anyways. Now I'd have an extra credit for something else, like maybe alcohol that wasn't covered before. For other stays where breakfast was already included, those stays are now elevated. I have an upcoming Embassy stay and now I have an extra credit I didn't have before, while not losing anything else. Some people also don't eat breakfast or don't want to eat at the same place each morning. There are plenty of ways to get breakfast included if it is that important.
Don't get me wrong, there is a breaking point that makes a hotel/chain no longer worth staying at. There are definitely some impacts here that aren't welcome. At the end of the day, I'll continue to decide on the stay as a whole. I recently just did an IHG stay in a suite where Hilton was not the better choice. Instead of worrying about "free breakfast" I saved hundreds on the room rate, had a fantastic stay, and fried up a few eggs from my balcony. There's more to life than "free free free". Especially when you pay more for "free" stuff.
I like the lounges overseas and have chosen the Waldorf over the Trafalger in London on personal travel because they have a nice lounge and better breakfast buffet. US Hilton lounges are awful but the Palmer house was nice on personal stays since I could grab something light before a show and eat a nice dinner elsewhere after.
For business travel it depends on how they handle reimbursements. For us it's a direct reimbursement but it is nice at Hyatt or when I'm at a rare Hilton property that has a decent breakfast to eat there and not feel as bad about expensing a more expensive lunch of dinner. For people on a per diem type system the free breakfast is extra money in their money from the savings for breakfast.
I think the problem is Hilton is becoming a lot less of a convention hotel and catering more to the Holiday Inn type crowd and moving their higher end brands to a Hampton type model while Hyatt and IC are still catering to the business traveler.
I just hope they'll allow one person to use the $30 credit at one time. I.E. if I go to the restaurant I hope they allow me to use $30 for the credit instead of telling me I can only use $15 for the credit and the second person has to be there to use the other $15 credit.
If they allow the $30 credit to be used at once this will be really nice for business travelers. Hopefully they just do a $30 a day deduction off the folio and have you charge stuff to the room and don't have you deal with vouchers.
Last edited by Canarsie; May 28, 2021 at 9:43 am Reason: Consolidation.
May 27, 2021, 9:21 am
#272
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
These are the natural reactions when a change first happens. Will some people think this way? Absolutely. However, let's be real in the actual impact.. As we've seen with the exit of things such as some executive lounges. People kicked and screamed, and threatened to leave. Those resorts continue to thrive. The executive lounge, while nice, was not the reason people stayed there in the first place. We can all scream "Hyatt" from the rooftops as loud as we want because of breakfast. At the end of the day, we know just how practical that really is for most people.
For some people, believe it or not, this change is better. When I traveled for business, breakfast wasn't out of my pocket anyways. Now I'd have an extra credit for something else, like maybe alcohol that wasn't covered before. For other stays where breakfast was already included, those stays are now elevated. I have an upcoming Embassy stay and now I have an extra credit I didn't have before, while not losing anything else. Some people also don't eat breakfast or don't want to eat at the same place each morning. There are plenty of ways to get breakfast included if it is that important.
Don't get me wrong, there is a breaking point that makes a hotel/chain no longer worth staying at. There are definitely some impacts here that aren't welcome. At the end of the day, I'll continue to decide on the stay as a whole. I recently just did an IHG stay in a suite where Hilton was not the better choice. Instead of worrying about "free breakfast" I saved hundreds on the room rate, had a fantastic stay, and fried up a few eggs from my balcony. There's more to life than "free free free". Especially when you pay more for "free" stuff.
There are also properties I frequent where no free breakfast is offered for elites. They just happen to be good values without breakfast, and I find breakfast elsewhere. My wife and I travel to Aruba frequently and always stay at the Ritz Carlton (No free breakfast for elites). There's a Hilton on the same beach, but it's not nearly as nice as the Ritz. I'm happy to do breakfast on my own in that case.
Last edited by PHLGovFlyer; May 27, 2021 at 9:26 am
May 27, 2021, 10:56 am
#273
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,363
There's no indication that the daily credit will be provided at brands that already include breakfast for all guests, e.g., Hampton, Embassy, etc.
May 27, 2021, 11:12 am
#274
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
I just hope they'll allow one person to use the $30 credit at one time. I.E. if I go to the restaurant I hope they allow me to use $30 for the credit instead of telling me I can only use $15 for the credit and the second person has to be there to use the other $15 credit.
If they allow the $30 credit to be used at once this will be really nice for business travelers. Hopefully they just do a $30 a day deduction off the folio and have you charge stuff to the room and don't have you deal with vouchers.
If they allow the $30 credit to be used at once this will be really nice for business travelers. Hopefully they just do a $30 a day deduction off the folio and have you charge stuff to the room and don't have you deal with vouchers.
I think you just haven't been to any properties that had been using the credit system long before covid, and many properties had already been switched to the credit thing during covd, you worry too much on this
May 27, 2021, 11:21 am
#275
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
I have an upcoming Embassy stay and now I have an extra credit I didn't have before, while not losing anything else. Some people also don't eat breakfast or don't want to eat at the same place each morning. There are plenty of ways to get breakfast included if it is that important.
May 27, 2021, 1:10 pm
#276
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,862
With Hyatt, they have gotten a lot of stays because they treat me a lot better than Hilton. The 4 p.m. check out is nice and so is the hot breakfast. Unfortunately Hyatt doesn't have the kind of location Hilton's does so I'm forced to use Hilton a lot. A lot of people have diamond for free with the Am Ex so they can't go over to Hyatt since Hyatt doesn't give out the status freely like Hilton. The Breakfast benefit is nice at Hyatt if I'm travelling for business, I have had clients meet me for breakfast for breakfast when staying at Hyatt, there's no way I would at Hilton's in the US except the Palmer house or in SF and I heard those properties are becoming cheap in SF and who knows what PH will be like when it reopens.
I've stayed at more Hilton properties that have given credits vs "completely free breakfast". Honestly, I'm having a hard time remembering any (non-lounge) previous stays that would be any different. We also don't know yet if the credit would be per person (up to 2) or per room. If it's a single credit, that's a negative impact. If it is up to 2, it's business as usual.
My bad then. Thanks for the correction.
May 27, 2021, 1:16 pm
#277
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
Why wouldn't they ? At the Roosevelt Nola, 2 people for 2 nights, $60 credit, we used it 2 separate times, it just billed to the room and took it off at check out
I think you just haven't been to any properties that had been using the credit system long before covid, and many properties had already been switched to the credit thing during covd, you worry too much on this
I think you just haven't been to any properties that had been using the credit system long before covid, and many properties had already been switched to the credit thing during covd, you worry too much on this
I think it’ll be ymmv. I was at the dt Times Square West last month It was 15 credit per person credit. Was told second. Person had to. There for the second credit
May 27, 2021, 1:20 pm
#278
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,862
Why wouldn't they ? At the Roosevelt Nola, 2 people for 2 nights, $60 credit, we used it 2 separate times, it just billed to the room and took it off at check out
I think you just haven't been to any properties that had been using the credit system long before covid, and many properties had already been switched to the credit thing during covd, you worry too much on this
I think you just haven't been to any properties that had been using the credit system long before covid, and many properties had already been switched to the credit thing during covd, you worry too much on this
May 27, 2021, 2:21 pm
#279
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,321
Yes 4 pm checkout is nice to have. Obviously, I would prefer to have it vs not having it. The significant investment involved to get and maintain that perk vs how many people actually utilize it make it more of marketing than of practical application. Nobody is "forced" to use Hilton with the lack of a Hyatt footprint.
I've stayed at more Hilton properties that have given credits vs "completely free breakfast". Honestly, I'm having a hard time remembering any (non-lounge) previous stays that would be any different. We also don't know yet if the credit would be per person (up to 2) or per room. If it's a single credit, that's a negative impact. If it is up to 2, it's business as usual.
My bad then. Thanks for the correction.
I've stayed at more Hilton properties that have given credits vs "completely free breakfast". Honestly, I'm having a hard time remembering any (non-lounge) previous stays that would be any different. We also don't know yet if the credit would be per person (up to 2) or per room. If it's a single credit, that's a negative impact. If it is up to 2, it's business as usual.
My bad then. Thanks for the correction.
May 27, 2021, 2:36 pm
#280
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
Why wouldn't they ? At the Roosevelt Nola, 2 people for 2 nights, $60 credit, we used it 2 separate times, it just billed to the room and took it off at check out
I think you just haven't been to any properties that had been using the credit system long before covid, and many properties had already been switched to the credit thing during covd, you worry too much on this
I think you just haven't been to any properties that had been using the credit system long before covid, and many properties had already been switched to the credit thing during covd, you worry too much on this
May 27, 2021, 6:38 pm
#281
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,055
I just hope they'll allow one person to use the $30 credit at one time. I.E. if I go to the restaurant I hope they allow me to use $30 for the credit instead of telling me I can only use $15 for the credit and the second person has to be there to use the other $15 credit.
If they allow the $30 credit to be used at once this will be really nice for business travelers. Hopefully they just do a $30 a day deduction off the folio and have you charge stuff to the room and don't have you deal with vouchers.
If they allow the $30 credit to be used at once this will be really nice for business travelers. Hopefully they just do a $30 a day deduction off the folio and have you charge stuff to the room and don't have you deal with vouchers.
May 27, 2021, 7:16 pm
#282
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Midwest
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Diamond, AA Plat Pro, UA Silver
Posts: 571
The hotels are still going to offer a FB credit. Why not keep the menu that allows the elites to get a breakfast that their credit covers? Even losing one customer over a couple of bucks in breakfast food doesn't seem to worth it. Filing a $2-300 a night room is more valuable than making $5 extra at breakfast. With business travel likely to take awhile to return (and with that expense accounts) some goodwill towards your best customers is priceless.
May 28, 2021, 10:50 am
#284
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,120
The hotels are still going to offer a FB credit. Why not keep the menu that allows the elites to get a breakfast that their credit covers? Even losing one customer over a couple of bucks in breakfast food doesn't seem to worth it. Filing a $2-300 a night room is more valuable than making $5 extra at breakfast. With business travel likely to take awhile to return (and with that expense accounts) some goodwill towards your best customers is priceless.
...
Housekeepers are the ones I think that are really suffering. Last stay at a DT I didn't tip the housekeeper what I normally would on a four night stay seeing I didn't get any service at all and had to go to the front desk and wait in a line for refills on shampoo and fresh towels and had to leave my used towels outside the door to be picked up.
Housekeepers are the ones I think that are really suffering. Last stay at a DT I didn't tip the housekeeper what I normally would on a four night stay seeing I didn't get any service at all and had to go to the front desk and wait in a line for refills on shampoo and fresh towels and had to leave my used towels outside the door to be picked up.
Last edited by cblaisd; May 28, 2021 at 3:08 pm Reason: merged poster's two consecutive posts
May 28, 2021, 11:28 am
#285
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: SoCal; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 4MM, HH LT Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LT Plat, Omni
Posts: 9,180
Above and beyond not caring, plenty of servers seem happy to give away the company store in expectation of a better tip. This is one reason why this claw-back will disappoint elites, not only the capricious nature of enforcement across brands but even within the same hotel. Since it hasn't been rare, in my experience, to have a server offer "this coupon is only good for the continental, but you are welcome to the full buffet", it is optimistic for management to expect a near-minimum wage service employee to police policies that are counterproductive to their own income.