Will Hilton End Free Breakfast Benefit Globally?

Will Hilton End Free Breakfast Benefit Globally?

Last year Hilton made a change that wasn’t very popular. It rolled out a Daily Food & Beverage (F&B) Credit at more than 1,500 Hilton hotels across the Unites States for Gold and Diamond members This was supposed to run through the end of 2021, but it was extended for 2022 and it is now probably permanent.

Eligible members get a $10 to $25 credit depending on the brand and location. 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.

While this credit can be better for a few people, it replaced the complimentary Continental Breakfast benefit which would be more valuable especially at more expensive properties. But at least it was only in the U.S., until now.

Hilton seems to be getting ready to make more changes and possibly rolling the F&B credit globally. A week ago, they introduced it at Motto hotels globally. At about the same time they also changed some of the wording in the terms & conditions for this benefit. Here are the changes as first reported by Loyalty Lobby:

Old 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)

New 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)

In the new terms there’s no mention that the F&B credit applies to hotels in the United States. Now it just “varies by brand and region.”

Guru’s Wrap-up

These changes in the terms and conditions could bean indication of thing to come. The F&B credit is still temporary supposedly and has only been extended through the end of 2022. But let’s see what 2023 brings. Hopefully it’s not the end of free continental breakfast.

Let me know what you think in the comment? Do you prefer the credit and the flexibility, or is the free breakfast the better value?