Hilton replaces breakfast benefit for elite members in the United States [not expanding worldwide]

According to the Loyalty Lobby, at some point during December, theHiltonHonors T&Cs changed.

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)

It's to:

complimentary continental breakfast OR a Daily Food & Beverage Credit (varies by brand and region)

Expanding f&b credits worldwide (instead of free elite breakfast) is a move that many have suspected would happen eventually, and it appeared as though the groundwork was being laid for such a move here.

The change was made because of the international expansion of the Motto brand, which only features f&b credits at all brand locations, according toHilton. There are no plans to change the f&b offerings at other brands.

There was an update on 12 14th of December. For the time being, elite members will not be able to get free breakfast at their properties in the US, but they will still be able to get daily food and beverage credits.

The credit will increase from $12 per person to $15 per person per night, for up to two registered guests in the room, on February 1, 2022. If they sell half-buffets, that will get you half a buffet at the hotel.

It's bad news for members who used to value the free breakfast benefit as the best mid-tier hotel status, but it's good news for those who would rather eat breakfast elsewhere and use the food & beverage credit towards other meals. Some properties didn't provide a proper breakfast before so the credit at least gives members the ability to choose something better than what they would have otherwise been given. I don't think the change will become a permanent one. The original post is followed by a new one.

The value of elite status for me has been destroyed by yesterday's announcement that they will no longer offer free breakfast to Gold and Diamond members but will instead offer a food and beverage credit starting in July and running through the end of 2021, I think that this will be a permanent change and I think that this is a huge devaluation of the program.

There will be a credit per person for up to two people per room when the free breakfast is no longer offered. It has been reported that the credits will be as follows.

• $25 for luxury brands, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and LXR
• $12 for full service brands ($15 for full service brands in high-cost markets)
• $12 for lifestyle brands ($15 for lifestyle brands in high-cost markets)
• $10 for Hilton Garden Inn properties
• Gold members will be given an option for taking points or credits, Diamond members will get both points and credits.
• Credits must be used daily (they can’t be saved / stacked) and apply to up to 2 registered guests per room. You’ll need to charge breakfast to your room and the credits will be applied manually at check-out.

That is really bad. I don't think these credits will cover both an entree and a cup of coffee at any of the full service hotels that I've stayed at, even though I've enjoyed the full breakfast buffets that they offer. These changes are listed as adding flexibility by the hotel.

Food & Beverage Credit for Gold & Diamond Members. You asked for flexibility, and we’ve got it. Whether you look forward to breakfast or would rather skip it in favor of a refreshing beverage and afternoon snack, the choice is yours. In early July, we’ll begin offering a daily Food & Beverage Credit that will continue through the end of 2021. You can use this credit at the hotel brands where you currently receive a complimentary continental breakfast as your elite benefit of your membership. You’ll now be able to dine when and how you want. We will share more details in the coming weeks.

I am sure you will appreciate the flexibility they suggest, if you like to go out to a local spot for breakfast and enjoy a glass of wine later in the evening, or if you aren't a breakfast person. If you prefer room service, you will get a discount on getting breakfast-in-bed. In fairness, some hotels have given credits in place of a full breakfast and the truth is that many hotels haven't been offering full breakfast in light of the Pandemic, so the breakfast benefit has been highly inconsistent for the past year.

Even though the benefit is technically "continental" breakfast, most hotels at which I've visited, I've come to really enjoy Hilton for consistency of things like being able to expect free full hotel breakfast. It's not that I don't enjoy checking out local breakfast places, but I have more so come to enjoy the convenience of not having to travel farther than a few floors on the elevator to get breakfast I want to be able to return to the room straight from breakfast to finish getting ready for the day when I travel with kids. These credits give you a discount on breakfast. It is highly unlikely that I will stay at a Hilton property in the US for at least the rest of this year because they don't offer a breakfast credit over free breakfast anymore. I can't help but think that this will be a long-term change once they figure out how to cut costs during the Pandemic and make hotels more profitable.

The changes only apply to US hotels and only from July to December of 2021. I hope that this only lasts for a few months in July to December of 2021. I don't think a return to a more generous-than-necessary breakfast benefit will happen soon given that many hotels have reduced breakfast during the Pandemic. I think this is a positive change for some members who will be happy with a drink and a snack mid-day, but I think it's a major change to the program and to the credit card. The key benefit of that card is that it has the best mid-tier hotel elite status, but it is going to be very inconsistent in the future.