In early 2021 Hilton announced that for properties in the U.S. the free breakfast benefit would be replaced with a food & beverage credit temporarily, in late 2021 it was extended with increased amounts until the end of 2022. There was a rumor in early 2022 that this was a permanent change.
Hilton has now made changes to the terms & conditions to allow this to be a global change, rather than a U.S. specific change. Terms now state:
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)
Previously they stated:
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)
I think this change was always permanent and meant to be global but Hilton wanted to see what impact it had before making the changes permanent.
Hat tip to LoyaltyLobby
This could sadly be a game changer for redeeming points in places like the Maldives.
Glad I focused on Hyatt only. After the Marriott acquisition of SPG, it’s the only brand that rewards loyalty.
Well, breakfast at hotels is very useful if one’s short on time, or is tired, and can’t visit a local eatery. Moreover, most good restaurants aren’t open in the morning.
It is by far very confusing. I wish it was clear and to the point. You know like when you are asking what is 2+2=4. Precise answer. The guests are often lost and they are saying well at this location it’s this way and then you have the agents lost as well. I think$20 credit per day for an individual and $50.00 credit for two people across the board. And I’m not going into the upgrades. That is a difficult one all together, some agents turn their nose up or act as though it doesn’t exist. You have the LOYALTY, why punish them for their stays? It should be about the Guest.
According to Hilton, no plans to change it internationally just yet…
https://thepointsguy.com/news/hilton-international-free-breakfast-changes/
I’m a free agent when it comes to hotels. The last Hilton I stayed at, the Hilton Shinjuku in Tokyo, had an expensive breakfast buffet for $50 and it was all right. For much less, you can get a higher quality meal from the Denny’s across the street from the hotel. Denny’s in Japan is so different from its American counterpart. It was so nice to see the differences. Hotel breakfasts aren’t always the end all be all. Personally, I like to get out of the hotel and enjoy the local fare and culture.
I stayed there in 2017. I received as Honors Gold lounge access AND choice of American or Japanese breakfast. I didn’t dine at Denny’s, but I’m pretty sure what I had was better.
Royal Host is another good breakfast option near that Hilton, though it doesn’t open until 8 am.
They could mitigate this if their website showed clearly what you should expect at each property. They make it all but impossible to find the front desk number, but central reservations has no idea whether you should expect a full breakfast or $10 coupon at their lobby refrigerator. Same goes for FHR-style credits: some are food or drink, others work for parking, spa, pet fees, etc.
Ya, some benefits are not well documented and YMMV. I had parking charged waived at some properties although it was never documented anywhere or even explained. It could be YMMV though as it could be simply frontdesk forgot to add it.
Time to downgrade Aspire
Diamond status now gives you no upgrade and no free breakfast. Great perks! Loyalty folks!
What else would you be expecting?
The $200-ish effective AF of the “diamond” card is way less than the cash price difference for 1 night’s upgrade for many locations and may not be able to buy you a buffet breakfast in a year or so given how fast they are devaluing the USD.
No worry. I’m sure that $10 food credit at a Garden Inn will feed my family of 4 . . .
It’s per person
Max 2 people though…
Glad one room will feed my family of 13.