As long as I can still get free breakfasts outside the U.S. it keeps me tempted to continue using their branded cards and staying at Hilton or Conrad properties outside of the U.S., but when that goes I wont care about staying as Gold or Diamond. Sign up and well send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money. That may get you half a buffet at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on The Big Island.if only they sold half-buffets. We have a stay booked at the Kauai Hilton garden inn because a free breakfast. Are they going to roll this out to international locations and give us a credit that will cover coffee? No problem. You can even use the credit to purchase alcohol, subject to state and local laws. Hilton isn't bumping up that credit until February. Do the math, and it's not hard to see where Hilton's motivation is coming from. Why a credit per person rather than per room? You dont have to be. And Hilton status is fairly easy to get, as you can automatically earn it from many Hilton credit cards and even the Platinum Card from American Express. You'll still be able to get free breakfast when staying at Hiltons in Paris or Amsterdam at least for now. Three elite tiers to unlock exceptional benefits - room upgrades and more. Even when I have confined myself to the continental section, half the time they still try to upcharge me. Our guide to calculating their value, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, Hilton Honors Aspire from American Express, we stayed at the Conrad Tokyo and enjoyed one of the fanciest hotel breakfasts, Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, please subscribe to the Million Mile Secrets email newsletter, Best Hilton credit cards: Improved weekend night certificates, earning rates and more, Space-available upgrade to a preferred room, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Curio, DoubleTree, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Tapestry Collection, 750 Hilton Honors Bonus Points per stay. 
Check, check. Hilton will tell you it's giving you more options. In early July, well begin offering a daily Food & Beverage Credit that will continue through the end of 2021. Again, this is probably a positive change for some members who will be happier with a drink and appetizer mid-day, but overall I take this as a major devaluation to the program and to the Hilton Surpass credit card . For a family of four, thats $140 $50 credit = $90 per day on breakfast. Will definitely make me less likely to stay at a Hilton, unless theres a lounge I think Ill really like. Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. You might owe more money: If you use your credit to pay for the continental breakfast buffet, you might owe extra money. @Mary, that will probably work sometimes. How to Find the Mr & Mrs Smith Properties that Participate in IHG One Rewards, Reminder! Yes, it seems as if this would be an incentive to claim you have two in the room even when traveling alone, to get the doubled credit. Diamond members are offered $20 per day ($10 per person) F&B credit rather that free breakfast. A few years ago, as a gold, I really had to talk my way into lounge access at the Conrad Tokyo and boy that was that a nice lounge. 
Drink and appetizer? My Aspire will probably get downgraded to the Surpass. In positive(ish?) If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post. I love that this nugget is in an email titled Welcoming you back to our Hotels.. Beyond that, if you really want a good feel for exactly what is (and isnt) included in your hotel breakfast, theres this comprehensiveFlyerTalk master threadwhere actual guests report the breakfast they received as a Gold/Diamond member, type of breakfast (continental, hot, etc. For those members who dont automatically receive Diamond status from their credit card, Hilton Honors also offers the strongest mid-tier elite status in the business. Gold members will be given an option for taking points or credits, Diamond members will get both points and credits. Up to one additional guest registered to the same room receives the credit. Whether you look forward to breakfast or would rather skip it in favor of a refreshing beverage and afternoon snack, the choice is yours, the email said. Had I paid cash, it would have cost $140 for the four of us (all of whom got free buffet breakfast with an additional a la carte option), but it was free with my Gold status at the time. Time to cancel Hilton card. Hilton is now just an over rated Motel 6 my team has moved all our future reservations away from all Hilton brands. . Breakfast at the restaurant? But, depending on your travel style, the replacement benefit might actually be even better. You can easily earn automatic Gold or Diamond Hilton status just by having the right credit cards, including: The information for the Hilton Aspire card and Hilton Surpass Card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. Not a morning person? For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass, please clickhereFor rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire card from Amex, please clickhere. 
InsideFlyer is a privately funded venture based in Colorado Springs, CO (affectionallythe House of Miles). Here are our picks for the. Gold status is relatively easier to attain, and it still comes with many of the best perks. The amount of the credit varies by hotel brand. When I last visited, my boyfriend and I pooled our credits over our stay and splurged on a dinner at the beachside restaurant instead of having breakfast at the hotel. Although Hilton hotels might not offer the best elite benefits (published at least), Hilton Honors is known for its generosity with elite status extensions and status challenges / fast tracks. All rights reserved. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. As a Gold member, you become accustomed to regularly visiting the My Way benefits page on the Hilton website or App. Breakfast to go? Learn more: The complete guide to earning Hilton Honors points. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. al. I enjoy the free breakfast. Dear Hilton, were are breaking up.. 
Iberia is Selling Gift Cards at a Discount, Electronic Bagtags Debut In The USA With Alaska Airlines. Credits must be used daily (they cant be saved / stacked) and apply to up to 2 registered guests per room. Refreshing beverages? Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. Thats a shame for take-outs I assume? We are an independent publisher. Though $25 for Waldorf is better than Waldorf Chicago did pre pandemic (a measily $10). Lounge access for Gold members depends on being upgraded to the executive floor for Diamond members, lounge access is guaranteed, Gold members must choose between welcome amenity points and breakfast Diamond members receive both. While some people may prefer this, I think that overall this is a huge devaluation of the Hilton program and I cant help but think that this will become a permanent change. Learn more: Your guide to booking award nights with Hilton Honors. This is awful!! ), whether it was in the restaurant or lounge, quality, upcharge to full buffet if applicable and more. There are no credit cards with a similar level of automaticelite statusthat can get you a free breakfast at other brands likeMarriottorHyatt. You say a drink and an appetizer but those rates will only cover a drink (assuming you mean something alcoholic). Two Weeks Left to Register for IHGs Status Challenge. Breakfast is awfully cheap if you already have a buffet setup, and my guess is the dining credit might come right out of the pocket of the hotel rather than Hilton. WhileHilton Honorschanged their free breakfast rules at all hotels for Gold and Diamond members, theres still some confusion (and inconsistency) around what to expect at certain brands. Share your views in the comments section. Hilton Gold and Diamond members now get a food and beverage credit that can be used any time of day. Getting a free breakfast to start my day is a big thing for me and my family. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Wonder what Amex will think of this decision and the subsequent card cancellations. Or at least, not a stuff-yourself-with-as-many-muffins-as-possible person? All Rights Reserved, BonusTracker: Best credit card bonus offers, When to use miles or points vs. paying cash (using our points calculator with newly added features! While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. Of course, not all Hilton properties offer much more than pastries and coffee for breakfast. Billing could be awkward: Speaking of owing more, youre still on the hook for tax and tip. 
As a Diamond member that just achieved Globalist with Hyatt, Ill take my business elsewhere.and reduce my Hilton and overall spend on my AMEX Aspire card. Its not that hard. 
Or at least, not a stuff-yourself-with-as-many-muffins-as-possible person? Hilton initially emailed its members earlier in 2021 recently to let them know about the brewing change. That barely covers coffee. Not all hotel establishments accept it: Some third-party restaurants operating within the hotel may not accept the credit. 
At the discretion of the hotel or where breakfast is a brand amenity, the hotel may provide full breakfast or in-room service. Traveling abroad? Get our daily email for the latest in travel, flight deals, and how to save on your next trip. Disappointing to say the least, my experiences with Hilton this past year really have my wondering why I am staying at this chain, devaluing of everything. So, you cant stack a weeks worth of credits to blow on one fancy dinner. Frustrating and a Near Miss I had finally settled on a strategy of Hilton for the family because 1) we value the free breakfast so highly, and 2) the simplicity of Gold = breakfast in most cases. Our partners compensate us. These days, some Hilton properties have reopened their buffets, but typically with modifications. Maybe if enough Honors members complain with the voice AND wallets, Hilton will get the picture. Even so, thisstings. Originally it was a $30 per person per day credit, but then it was cut back to $15. Generally speaking, more upscale hotel brands offer a higher credit. While the credit can be applied to taxes and gratuity, you might previously never have had to pay them in the first place. 
Hilton has destroyed the value of elite status for me with yesterdays announcement that they will no longer offer free breakfast to Gold and Diamond members but will rather offer a food and beverage credit starting in July and running through the end of 2021. Milestone Rewards: Allows members to choose their rewards. Also I would expect the credit to be optional with breakfast still available if you want it. We believe that learning about frequent flyer miles should be as fun as travel itself. Wed love to hear your experiences (good and bad) with Hilton free breakfast, especially as a Gold or Diamond. When travelling outside of North America, I have found that Gold status is nearly indistinguishable from Diamond status. 
Each credit is "use it or lose it" per night. Your email address will not be published. Im furious! 
Some third-party restaurants operating within the hotel may not accept the credit. It's one thing to get a free breakfast domestically. At the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, you might be tempted by the smell of hibachi steak wafting into the lobby from the on-site Benihana. Have a similar beef with a LOT of Marriott properties weve been to lately.. Jeers to all those once super Spring Hill Suites & Towne Place locations here in Virginia that are still offering nothing but lazily dull, dry, high carb, no protein, no fruit grab n go make-you-sick breakfasts. The credit can be used toward eligible food and beverage purchases charged to your room at any time of day. To me, its all silly. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you. Hilton bills these changes as adding flexibility: Food & Beverage Credit for Gold & Diamond Members. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a Apply Now button or Learn More button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. Lets have more and more bloggers getting off the loyalty-to-management schtick, and instead note just what chains are pulling what stunts (like Hilton here) to use covid to maximize profits while shafting the loyal stiffs in the lobby. We have made plans for the next 12 months with reservations planning on free breakfast. I prefer to grab dinner to go as I return to the hotel from client sites and eat in my room as I catch on sports headlines. Now you get a bill so youre also confronted with additional costs. ), [Dead, but maybe good news?] (and Hilton et. Or you might use it to load up on snacks for the flight home. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. For more information, please see How we make money. I have stayed at the Conrad Chicago multiple times in the past. Credit card signup bonuses are the biggest and best opportunity for earning free points and miles. 
And if you're not one to eat breakfast at a hotel, this change is an easy win. If you arent a breakfast person or you like to go out to a local spot for breakfast / brunch and would enjoy a glass of wine at the bar or appetizer back at the hotel later in the evening, I am sure youll probably appreciate the flexibility as they suggest. Free breakfast for two at almost any Hilton property, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. This is not good. The Hilton Hawaiian Village had a $10 per person credit, so again, if these numbers are true, its an improvement. Obviously loyalty means nothing to them. You dont have to be. $3 increase yet Hilton Garden Inns still remain at $10 no matter the location. N/A (free breakfast wasn't previously an elite status benefit). InsideFlyer.com [English] United States InsideFlyer.uk [English] United Kingdom InsideFlyer.de [German] Germany InsideFlyer.no [Norwegian] Norway InsideFlyer.se [Swedish] Sweden InsideFlyer.dk [Danish] Denmark InsideFlyer.nl [Dutch] Benelux, Hilton Honors offers a strong balance between elite benefits and the ease of achieving elite status. Horrible. ), How much are Amex points really worth? Yes at Hilton Garden Inn hotels a Diamond member must still choose between points and breakfast / credit. While the credit can be applied to taxes and gratuity, you might previously never have had to pay them in the first place. At the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, you might be tempted by the smell of hibachi steak wafting into the lobby from the on-site Benihana. This may signal the end of the Surpass Card for me. I value the free breakfast very high. As we head into 2022, Hilton is adjusting exactly how much you get in these daily food and beverage credits at U.S. properties. Hilton gave away status to everyone and only now figured out the consequences of that decision. While the new Hilton food and beverage credit is generally better than the former continental breakfast option, it still has issues. Fortunately, you dont have to set foot in a Hilton hotel to earn this level of status it comes automatically with credit cards like theHilton Honors American Express Surpass Card(Gold status) annual fee $95 (seerates and fees) orHilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express(Diamond status) annual fee $450 (seerates and fees). Lets take a close look at what you can expect for breakfast as a Hilton traveler, especially when you have Gold or Diamond Hilton status. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I am planning on cancelling my wifes card next month why have 2 gold statuss and well earn our points for something else now. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. I am one year of Diamond status away from lifetime Diamond. Though, you don't have to make all the charges at once, so you could spend $20 on breakfast and have $5 left for an afternoon snack. news, beginning on February 1, 2022 at lifestyle and full-service brands in select cities, the credit will increase from $12 per person to $15 per person per night (for up to two registered guests in the room), and from $15 to $18 per person per night depending on the market (destinations include properties in Boston, Chicago, District of Columbia, Key Largo, Key West, New York City and San Francisco, the County of Los Angeles and the state of Hawaii). Thats great if youre carb-loading for a marathon, but not as great if you dont eat gluten or just want some bacon with that bread. Staying at Hilton Waikoloa Village right now. Its the reason I have lost nearly all interest in continuing to stay at Hilton. SCRATCH that idea. I hope those credit guesses are wrong! And thats just how we like it! 
Were a small diverse group of experienced frequent flyer experts, travel community builders, technologists, and friends of the flyer who want to help you learn to be an expert traveler. Hilton CEO has been proudly saying for months to expect service cuts so they can increase their bottom line. likely will be doing all they can to keep wages low or non-existent.. ). 
I paid $15 for a glass of wine (that runs $11 a bottle) so forget drink and appetizers. You asked for flexibility, and weve got it. This is cost-cutting spun as a perk, plain and simple. While several of the currentHilton hotel brandsoffer free breakfast to all guests, the majority only offer free breakfast to Gold and DiamondHilton statusholders. Lets see how this plays out. For example, after tax and a 20% tip, the cost for a continental breakfast for two at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Florida comes out to $34.86. Thats great if youre carb-loading for a marathon, but not as great if you dont eat gluten or just want some bacon with that bread. Required fields are marked *. Gold and Diamond status holders and up to one guest will each get: One catch: Until Feb. 1, 2022, the breakfast credits at full-service and lifestyle Hilton brands will still clock in at just $12 per guest per day or $15 in high-cost areas. For some stays, you might want the free breakfast (or food credit); on other stays you might just want the points. The best way to find out what youll get at a specific property is to call the actual hotel directly. Hilton advertises that Gold and Diamond members receive free breakfast at allHilton hotels, but its not quite that simple. , youll automatically receive a credit for each night you stay at hotel brands in the U.S. where you previously would have received complimentary continental breakfast. I am a person that travelled for many years and earned the points. She enjoys the breakfast. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. Starting this month, the free breakfast benefit bestowed upon Hilton Honors members with Gold or Diamond elite status is going away (for now) at certain brands. That is over 3 years on the road away from family. Update 12/14/21: Ugh. 
If youre going to call a benefit free breakfast it at least needs to reasonably cover an entree from your breakfast menu (and really ought also cover juice or coffee). 
And, I still wear masks and even gloves where needed. you are naive if you think the lounges will be coming back any time soon. Thats not enough to even cover the price of continental breakfast. I hope this is not permanent. Free breakfast for two at some hotels can easily add up to $50, $60, or more. These credits can be used any time of day. Share away in the comments! The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While a two-person stay covers $30, youll still owe $4.86. Early in the pandemic, many hotels that offered breakfast buffets swapped them out for. For example, after tax and a 20% tip, the cost for a continental breakfast for two at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Florida comes out to $34.86. 
And of course, the hotel chain spun it as a plus. @Carl WV: Because this means they can give you less. Stay updated on Frequent Milers 2022 Team Challenge: 3 Cards, 3 Continents! Ive got natural immunity, shots and so forth. These havent been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. You can use this credit at the hotel brands where you currently receive a complimentary continental breakfast as your elite benefit of your membership. But if you have access to the lounge (diamond), you will still have free breakfast + the food credit? 
I bet what youre proposing will work sometimes, but Id also bet that some hotels will be stingy enough to track how many people are dining. If my family joins me, breakfast vouchers for them. Now being retired it is my wife that is hurt most by this. In fact, this is enough for me to put Hilton at the bottom of my list. Getting what amounts to a discount on breakfast via these credits feels cheesy. 
My meal options on the street generally are cheaper and tastier than dinner in the hotel. But it was nonetheless a surprise to find out that Hilton Diamond members staying at a Hilton Garden Inn hotel must still choose between breakfast and points. So how can you find out exactly what youll receive with your status at a particular Hilton location? Your email address will not be published. Ill focus on home. I generally like hotel breakfasts, so I would certainly choose the breakfast amenity over 750 Hilton points worth $3-4. Lifetime is over 1000k nights. 
That means another year without guaranteed free breakfast for travelers with Hilton status. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Frequent Miler All Rights Reserved. Instead, youll receive a $10 per person (up to two guests per room) per night dining credit which you can use at select restaurants and bars in the resort. In the US they have occasionally been really paltry, like at the Conrad in New York quite a few years ago. For now, this change only applies to U.S. properties through 2022. Has it gone down hill? OK92033): Licenses, NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539, NMLS Consumer AccessLicenses and Disclosures, California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812, Hilton Scraps Free Breakfast, but Serves Up a Better Alternative. (They did take pity on me and bring me some toast to go with my small bowl of oatmeal.) Now 50k-60k per night. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. Depending on your level of status and at certain brands, you may be given the option to choose between breakfast and another amenity, like bonus points. InsideFlyer was created by travelers, for travelers. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services.