Free Hilton Breakfast Hammer Dropping Globally Next Year?
The Hilton breakfast benefit is quite popular and people weren’t happy when it was replaced with the Daily Food & Beverage (F&B) Credit at more than 1,500 Hilton hotels across the United States.
This change went into effect last summer, and it was supposed to be temporary during the pandemic. But then it was extended through this year and is probably permanent.
Eligible Hilton elite members get a $10 to $25 credit depending on the brand and location, instead of the free breakfast. The participating Hilton 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.
F&B Credit Expanding?
Now Hilton might be thinking of expanding the F&B credit globally. Just a week ago, they introduced it at Motto hotels everywhere and about the same time they quietly changed some of the wording in the terms & conditions for this benefit, as first reported by Loyalty Lobby:
Terms before Dec 8, 2022):
Qualification for all on-property Hilton Honors benefits, including complimentary Internet and MyWay benefits such as complimentary snacks and beverages, complimentary continental breakfast (All Inclusive hotels, hotels with Executive Lounges, and non-U.S. only), Daily Food & Beverage Credit (U.S. only , when guest does not have access to Executive Lounge)
Terms after Dec 8, 2022):
Qualification for all on-property Hilton Honors benefits, including complimentary Internet and MyWay benefits such as complimentary snacks and beverages, complimentary continental breakfast OR a Daily Food & Beverage Credit (varies by brand and region)
There’s no mention that the F&B credit applies to hotels in the United States only in the new language. Now it just “varies by brand and region,” which could mean that it will be applied the same way at all Hilton properties around the world.
Conclusion
These changes could mean that the F&B credit will works the same all around the world. This is bad news for some, and possible good for others. You do have more flexibility with the credit, but you will probably get more value with the free breakfast, especially at more expensive locations.
Let us know what you think!
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Ihg with Diamond membership is my favorite and most value set up when using points & miles to book. I have all 3 brands with top status and IHG is by far my favorite. Hilton is number 2 and I’d prefer the credits as I travel by my self but to all the people who travel with a family are really getting screwed. So pairing my IHG Diamond membership with both chase ihg cards gets me 100k points back at %10 back and I literally only book 4 night stays so 4th night free is game changer paired with %10 back is amazing. Anyway good luck everyone.
Marriott has re-opened many lounges at properties in the US. Hilton has not and it’s starting to really make me re-think. This along with the F&B credit which is a downgrade but yes it does offer some flexibility. Add to this the high point redemption rates and I have to say that our Hilton stays are less and less.
Hilton Bastards………….. Time to go back to being “Bonvoyed” and liking it!!
As long as hotel revenues remain strong and dissatisfied loyalty program members fail to move the revenue needle, hotels will continue to devalue their loyalty programs.
Someone who is upset at Hilton moves to Hyatt. Someone who is upset at Hyatt moves to Marriott. Someone who is upset at Marriott moves to Hilton. So they lose someone. They’re just going to pick up someone from another program to fill that hole. It’s a numbers game and they know it and they don’t care.
Inflation and disastrous economic policies are ruining the travel business for everybody, is everyone naive enough to think this will stop with Hilton?…please
Oh my god. Is there anything more boring than people who love to chime in that every single thing in the world they don’t like is because someone they don’t like is doing “disastrous economic policies”? How about: Capitalists do what capitalists do? Squeeze the lifeblood out of everything enjoyable to save a dime? Simple enough.
Airlines and hotels are at record revenues. I don’t think the “travel business” is in trouble. Please see my comment above.
PS – The inflation we are now experiencing is the result of COVID stimulus pumped into the economy 2 to 3 years ago. The inflation we are now experiencing was a necessary evil to prevent the economy from slipping into another Great Depression. But, we all have short memories. We’ve forgotten about saving the economy. Like two-year-olds, all we can think about is what is going on now and we don’t like what’s going on now. Waaah, waaah, waaah.
There are many other factors that have created this GLOBAL inflation issue. Let’s just remember that this is not just a US issue and in fact our inflation and recovery from Covid economic impacts have been much quicker and less of an impact then other countries.
For me this will be the time to switch to Hyatt
Had enough of this ridiculous devaluation
This is a basic benefit while the credit is always a hurdle
ACin CLT is really a marketing manager for Hilton. A mole is in the forum. Lol
“ACin CLT is a narcissist.” There, fixed it for you.
Go ahead, make my day. No problem switching to Hyatt and Accor in Asia….
As a Hilton Diamond for 21 years & Gold 13 years, folks have to stop thinking of Hilton as the old Hilton. Gone are the days where the name Hilton had meaning. Since the family sold their interest, its gone down hill in benefits. The only reason I stay loyal now, is the points and no longer use my American Express card, outside of Hilton.
What a phenomenally stupid idea. Take your most loyal and engaged customers, drive them away by charging them for something that costs you very little, then wonder what went wrong. I guess I must have missed the college class that taught that alienating your most loyal customers is a good business practice.
So sick of all the devaluations!!
Big businesses are becoming less consumer friendly at every turn.
Skip breakfast – Americans are too fat anyway. 3 meals aren’t necessary and the old “breakfast is the most important meal” was simply marketing and not based on facts. I’m fine with this. Coffee and maybe fruit work just fine and I’ll have more flexibility with this change. If you don’t like it there are other places to stay. No one is forcing you to stay at a Hilton property. Change happens to all things (especially frequent flier and stayer programs). Does absolutely not good to bemoan the “good old days”. Accept, adjust and adapt – that is the only real option
Lol, the other option is to not be loyal to Hilton, especially since it’s a1 way street.
I’m a bit worried that it will be a worldwide change. From what I’ve heard, Hilton manages a majority of their international hotels, but the domestic ones are owned by other companies. This means Hilton is less likely to be “cheaper” internationally, but it could definitely happen. I’m hoping what they decide to do is offer a choice. This would actually be a win win, and a reason to stay at Hilton’s.
Yes Hilton does manage some properties but also Hilton does not own any properties at all globally.