Ever since I got the Hilton Honors Aspire card, I shifted a lot of my hotel stays over to Hilton properties.
Last month, Hilton announced that they are cutting complimentary breakfast, and replacing with an “elite food and beverage” credit. This change starts in early July and is expected to temporarily last through the end of the year. This change applies to US Hilton properties only.
The credit value is based on the hotel brand and the number of guests in the room. This credit applies to elite Hilton Honors members, whether it’s a paid or a rewards night.
Hilton food and beverage dining credit
Putting the Credit into Use
In general, I wasn’t too bothered by the changes when the news came out.
While these credits are hardly enough to cover the cost of a complimentary breakfast, particularly at the higher-end Hilton properties, I like the flexibility. You can spend the credit any time you want, whether it’s at the on-site restaurant, hotel bars, or onsite grab-and-go markets.
Because this is a new benefit that kicks in at the “beginning of July”, I wasn’t sure how it was all going to work. Here’s what happened at 3 different Hilton properties:
1. Hilton Nashville Downtown
I stayed at the Hilton Nashville Downtown hotel at the beginning of July (6th). At check-in, there was no mention of this credit. I inquired about it and I was informed that they are aware of this Hilton announcement, but they have not implemented the change. The front desk noted that the executive lounge is open and they are offering offering complimentary breakfast through the Executive lounge, so the credit does not apply.
2. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
At check-in for the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando, the hotel staff acknowledged the credit and let me know that the I can spend the credit at one of the many onsite dining options. The credit would be posted to my folio, as long as I charge it to the room folio. At a DoubleTree, the credit is only $12 per person. Clearly, this is poor value compared against a full complimentary breakfast (Hilton should increase this amount), but many hotels are also only offering pack and go breakfasts these days.
As it turned out, the credit was not automatically applied. At check-out, the final bill receipt did not reflect the credit. A quick trip to the front desk during check-out quickly solved this issue.
3. Waldorf Astoria in Orlando
Lastly, I was at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando for a couple of nights. There were dining options — from market at Hilton Bonnet Creek (you can bill it to your Waldorf Astoria folio) to signature dining at the hotel. Everything was seamless at this hotel. The food and beverage credit for each day was automatically credited to the folio. No hassles; everything was perfectly done.
Overall
3 different stays in July. 3 different experiences. I hope the experience becomes more consistent for guests. While I know that it is disappointing that a full complimentary breakfast is going away, I appreciate the flexibility of being able to use these credits anytime during a stay.
What are your experiences with the Hilton elite food and beverage credits? Share below!
Confusion at the Doubletree SeaTac as to how many credits per room and how they could be applied. At checkout, I was told it only applied to breakfast, but after checking with the manager, bar orders were allowed. An American breakfast was $25, so the $12 credit didn’t go far. An order of pancakes was $12. The restaurant dinner menu was very limited.
Conrad Downtown New York
Can’t be used for the mini bar or room service. Roof top bar was closed and restaurant had limited opening times
> didn’t use my credit of $50 as when I needed a drink the bar was closed and “The Continental” Breakfast option was $24 (and as were were with friends we decided against it)
Do you need to use the credit everyday for multiple day stay ?
Or a lump sum total credit for the stay?
Say use $5 one day and $20 next day .
The credit is for each day. If the credit is $12 and you have a multiple day stay (say 2 nights), you’d need to spend $12 each day to get the $24 credit. It’s not a lump sum so the credit does not carry over. If you don’t use the dining credit for the day, you lose it.