Dec 14, 2021, 10:19 am
Last edit by: beltway
The most commonly posed questions about the new food/beverage benefit, which is now extended into 2023, are
*Select markets include the cities of Boston, Chicago, District of Columbia, New York City, San Francisco, Key Largo, Key West, the County of Los Angeles and the state of Hawaii.
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Official Hilton benefit statement/FAQ (updated December 2022):
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, and Motto by Hilton globally, 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. 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.
3. 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.
A $12 F&B Credit per night will be provided at Motto By Hilton Tulum and a 10€ F&B Credit per night will be provided at Motto by Hilton Rotterdam Blaak.
The full list of participating brands include 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, and Hilton Garden Inn.
4. Does the Daily F&B Credit impact Hilton brands that offer all guests complimentary breakfast?
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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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 at midnight. 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. (return to top)
24. 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.
25. 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.
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- how it works for multi-night stays, and
- to what extent it applies outside the US
- 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.
- Thus, the credit for a given day may only be used on that day. It expires afterward.
- Hilton's FAQ insists that "[t]he credit does not 'expire' until the member checks out." This is, to put it politely, complete nonsense.
- The Hilton FAQ states that "the daily amount re-sets each day to the maximum daily credit value at midnight." Unfortunately, this addition to the FAQ--made in Spring 2022--raises as many questions as it answers.
- The Hilton FAQ states explicitly that "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." This would be the sensible approach, but the alleged "midnight reset" policy cannot be reconciled with it.
- A similar problem exists for any stay of N nights. Unless a guest arrives after midnight on the first night, or departs before midnight on the last night, there will be N+1 "days" (using midnight as the demarcator) but only N usable F&B credits. For example, a guest arrives Monday for a two-night stay. That means the credits may be used only on two of the three "days," those being Monday evening; Tuesday; and Wednesday morning (departure).
- The benefit terms were revised in December 2022 to cover Motto properties outside the US; previously, the F&B credit applied only to US properties. However, the official T&C now refer more vaguely to “complimentary continental breakfast OR a Daily Food & Beverage Credit (varies by brand and region).” (link)
- A reputable blogger reported in late December 2022 that the Hilton Fallsview in Canada is also issuing F&B credits in lieu of free breakfast, with Hilton corporate appearing to ratify this decision. (link) In November 2023, a FT member reported the same occurring at the Doubletree Calgary North (link).
*Select markets include the cities of Boston, Chicago, District of Columbia, New York City, San Francisco, Key Largo, Key West, the County of Los Angeles and the state of Hawaii.
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Official Hilton benefit statement/FAQ (updated December 2022):
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, and Motto by Hilton globally, 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. 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.
3. 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.
A $12 F&B Credit per night will be provided at Motto By Hilton Tulum and a 10€ F&B Credit per night will be provided at Motto by Hilton Rotterdam Blaak.
The full list of participating brands include 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, and Hilton Garden Inn.
4. Does the Daily F&B Credit impact Hilton brands that offer all guests complimentary breakfast?
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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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 at midnight. 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. (return to top)
24. 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.
25. 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.
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Update: Daily Food & Beverage Credit 2022 onwards in the U.S. and Canada
Jun 16, 2022, 9:22 am
#826
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
I asked this question a couple weeks ago and it never got answered and went off topic about resort fees.
For properties that have an Urban or mandatory fee that include a F&B credit (I've seen this only in NYC), what has been the experience on combing this with the $36 F&B Hilton Honors benefit? I have a stay coming up next weekend at a NYC property that has the $30 mandatory fee of $30 and that includes a $30 F&B credit per day. First night is a FNC so assuming they won't give me that benefit since I won't be paying the fee. Second night is on my corporate rate which is suppose to be exempt from resort/urban fees but it is showing up in the confirm still. Just wondering if I have to pay the fee, if I can combine the $30 and the $36 on one charge (I looked at the menu and it isn't that hard to spend $66 there if I get even one cocktail after the tip) or if they have to be separate charges?
I'm just looking to have that question answered and not start a debate over resort fees. TIA
For properties that have an Urban or mandatory fee that include a F&B credit (I've seen this only in NYC), what has been the experience on combing this with the $36 F&B Hilton Honors benefit? I have a stay coming up next weekend at a NYC property that has the $30 mandatory fee of $30 and that includes a $30 F&B credit per day. First night is a FNC so assuming they won't give me that benefit since I won't be paying the fee. Second night is on my corporate rate which is suppose to be exempt from resort/urban fees but it is showing up in the confirm still. Just wondering if I have to pay the fee, if I can combine the $30 and the $36 on one charge (I looked at the menu and it isn't that hard to spend $66 there if I get even one cocktail after the tip) or if they have to be separate charges?
I'm just looking to have that question answered and not start a debate over resort fees. TIA
Jun 16, 2022, 9:38 am
#827
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
My last few stays at Bonvoy properties have included a middle-of-the-night-before-checkout email with my then-current folio. There's no reason for this not to be standard at all hotels, other than laziness.
Jun 16, 2022, 9:59 am
#828
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Southwest A-List; Alaska MVPG; Hilton Diamond; Avis PreferredPlus; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite
Posts: 920
1. No major chain brand will ever drop that kind of a mandate on its franchisees. Each has its own work rules/handbook/LSOP's that the parent company has no clue about or jurisdiction over since they don't own the building. I guess anything is possible but I've done audit at one time or another for five brands including a corporately managed FS Marriott property and the time you start is whenever you start as long as everything is done by 7am when you leave, nobody cares.
2. That email subprogram in OnQ has existed for years and can be initiated by a single button. Whether you know about it or care to click it is a different story.
2. That email subprogram in OnQ has existed for years and can be initiated by a single button. Whether you know about it or care to click it is a different story.
Jun 16, 2022, 12:22 pm
#829
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 641
As a point of reference, I thought I would share my - unexpectedly positive - experience from a 10-day stay at The Gates Hotel South Beach (a Doubletree by Hilton) in Miami Beach FL I completed today. As I am at Diamond level, I was entitled to the daily F&B allowance of $15 for 1 person (alternatively, $30 per room, however for that they require two persons with their own IDs checking in).
Background: The hotel itself does not have in-house dining facilities, there is a restaurant attached to the hotel, where you can have breakfast and charge it to the room. You can also order food throughout the day (e.g. at either of the two bars) and have it charged to the room as well. There is no buffet for breakfast - only a menu, from which you could order (everything I tried was freshly cooked). All items on the menu started from $14 and above excl. taxes (if you wanted coffee, that was not included and was charged on top) - add to that several state-imposed taxes plus a "mandatory" 18% gratuity and you are looking at a bill of $30 or so for breakfast.
- For me personally that was no good value ... I went the first three days, tried different things from the menu, however (despite being freshly cooked) all were tasteless. On the rest of the days I alternated between Starbucks and an Italian bakery nearby, which were both tastier and cheaper.
- As opposed to that, until the end of the stay, I tried various items from the "daytime" menu (ordered at the bar but made at the same restaurant), which were absolutely great (not sure how come ... I doubt cooks changed midday ?!?)
- Finally, those who had booked rates with breakfast included received a voucher from the hotel, which could be used at the restaurant and entitled the guest to two eggs any style plus the usual sides and one coffee
On the day of the checkout, the first surprise was that I automatically received an email with my "draft" bill (without asking for it) at around 3am and could review it in peace after waking up. The second surprise was that the bill was 100% to the point - all daily $15 F&B deductions were correctly reflected against my restaurant bills (my only "gripe" is that I actually received two bills, one with the bills and one with the deductions - these could have been summarised on one bill instead but this is my perfectionist side speaking ...). All that reduced my check-out time to 30 seconds and I exited the hotel as a content customer.
Background: The hotel itself does not have in-house dining facilities, there is a restaurant attached to the hotel, where you can have breakfast and charge it to the room. You can also order food throughout the day (e.g. at either of the two bars) and have it charged to the room as well. There is no buffet for breakfast - only a menu, from which you could order (everything I tried was freshly cooked). All items on the menu started from $14 and above excl. taxes (if you wanted coffee, that was not included and was charged on top) - add to that several state-imposed taxes plus a "mandatory" 18% gratuity and you are looking at a bill of $30 or so for breakfast.
- For me personally that was no good value ... I went the first three days, tried different things from the menu, however (despite being freshly cooked) all were tasteless. On the rest of the days I alternated between Starbucks and an Italian bakery nearby, which were both tastier and cheaper.
- As opposed to that, until the end of the stay, I tried various items from the "daytime" menu (ordered at the bar but made at the same restaurant), which were absolutely great (not sure how come ... I doubt cooks changed midday ?!?)
- Finally, those who had booked rates with breakfast included received a voucher from the hotel, which could be used at the restaurant and entitled the guest to two eggs any style plus the usual sides and one coffee
On the day of the checkout, the first surprise was that I automatically received an email with my "draft" bill (without asking for it) at around 3am and could review it in peace after waking up. The second surprise was that the bill was 100% to the point - all daily $15 F&B deductions were correctly reflected against my restaurant bills (my only "gripe" is that I actually received two bills, one with the bills and one with the deductions - these could have been summarised on one bill instead but this is my perfectionist side speaking ...). All that reduced my check-out time to 30 seconds and I exited the hotel as a content customer.
Jun 18, 2022, 6:12 pm
#830
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
For my first stay using the benefit, seems the hotel applied $18 to the restaurant tab, while I was expecting it as a separate line item on the folio.
Jun 18, 2022, 6:54 pm
#832
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
Yes - though that's probably better than it was in the past because you would get free breakfast from Virtuoso and not an additional breakfast as a Diamond member. Now you get Virtuoso breakfast PLUS diamond money for something else (PLUS the amenity fee F&B).
Jun 18, 2022, 6:58 pm
#833
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,408
True, I've mentioned that Virtuoso is the ONE benefit from this change. But that's not relevant for most people not staying at Virtuoso properties, so it's definitely a more niche benefit. And not every property has a decent enough restaurant on-site where a dinner benefit is actually worth using.... And I don't drink enough to max out the bar tab each night!
Jun 18, 2022, 7:06 pm
#834
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,904
Jun 18, 2022, 9:02 pm
#835
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,358
I do the same thing, regardless if the balance is ZERO from points at every brand hotel I stay in. I checked out of a Hyatt a few weeks ago where I paid with points so I know it was suppose to be zero, and there was somebody else's room service charge attached to my bill. The guy apologized, and I told him to find the actual bill because somebody charged food to my room. He said it wasn't a problem and he deleted it. I asked him again to find the receipt, he shrugged it off, so this tells me that this happens quite often and these hotel clerks don't care. My advice like the above poster, ALWAYS CHECK YOUR BILL before you leave.
Jun 20, 2022, 7:49 am
#836
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 189
I got bit by the executive lounge exception this weekend in nashville. I checked in via app since we didn't arrive until late, and didn't even know there was a lounge and there was no signage that f&b credits aren't given. Ate breakfast twice at the lobby restaurant, and dinner at the nice restaurant once expecting the credit. Did walk in the lounge the last day, the breakfast we very weak, basically hampton inn level or less. Frankly it's ridiculous that a gold member that isn't upgraded to club level gets a better experience (as they can use the credit for a made to order meal in the lobby restaurant) than diamond that gets forced to use the lounge only for breakfast, defeating the whole *benefit* of the f&b credit. I see it listed in the FAQ here, is that 100% the case at every hotel that has a lounge that you get no F&B credit?
Jun 23, 2022, 12:21 pm
#837
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: TBD
Programs: AA since 1988 (ex-elite status); Alaska; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 497
Lacking that, the simple solution is an automated 3am email on the morning of checkout. It would allow you to easily verify every charge up until the final morning. (Some hotels do this, but I’m surprised that it’s not universal.) It might not eliminate the need to stop by the front desk, but it could preemptively solve some problems.
Since the thread is about the F&B credit I should add I ignore a lot of these emails (probably shouldn't) because I have mainly avoided staying where I have to deal with the credit. :-)
Edit to add: there was mention of paper folios slipped under the door... which made me realize that I got a lot of those last year but haven't seen a single one in 2022.
Last edited by bostonoski; Jun 23, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Jun 24, 2022, 10:48 am
#838
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,531
Yet another stay where the automatic f&b credit did not work. Usually the f&b outlet claim that the front desk will apply the credit, and upon checkout I specifically tell them to apply the credit. Then when I see the folio it has not been applied. Double checking everything now as a result, which costs time.
This is tiresome and I am really not feeling valued here. Big thumbs down Hilton.
How can this still not work properly?
This is tiresome and I am really not feeling valued here. Big thumbs down Hilton.
How can this still not work properly?
Jun 24, 2022, 11:29 am
#839
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
Yet another stay where the automatic f&b credit did not work. Usually the f&b outlet claim that the front desk will apply the credit, and upon checkout I specifically tell them to apply the credit. Then when I see the folio it has not been applied. Double checking everything now as a result, which costs time.
This is tiresome and I am really not feeling valued here. Big thumbs down Hilton.
How can this still not work properly?
This is tiresome and I am really not feeling valued here. Big thumbs down Hilton.
How can this still not work properly?
Jun 25, 2022, 12:21 am
#840
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Window Seat
Programs: National Executive, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Visitor
Posts: 2,495
This seems like it has to be a nightmare for back office/audit too, to have all these postings.
Maybe just issuing a coupon to be given to the F&B outlet, then F&B deducts it and you pay your bill however you want (cash, credit card, or room charge) and you are done.
Is Hilton trying to make this such a problem for the hotel and consumer that everyone just gives in and says okay forget this benefit entirely (would be on par with IHG...)...
Maybe just issuing a coupon to be given to the F&B outlet, then F&B deducts it and you pay your bill however you want (cash, credit card, or room charge) and you are done.
Is Hilton trying to make this such a problem for the hotel and consumer that everyone just gives in and says okay forget this benefit entirely (would be on par with IHG...)...