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Originally debuted as a temporary perk for 2021, Hilton extended its daily food & beverage credit for hotels in the U.S. Rather than free breakfast, you get daily credits that you can use in multiple ways. Some people love it, while others hate it. Here are the latest details.
Hilton Breakfast Benefits vs Food & Beverage Credits
Typically, Hilton Gold and Hilton Diamond members are entitled to free breakfast each morning. You can read about this benefit in our guide to Hilton Honors.
In July 2021, Hilton announced a change to this policy for hotels in the U.S. Instead of free breakfast, members would receive a daily “food & beverage credit”. The credit is for a maximum of 2 people per room, in the following amounts:
- $10 per person daily for stays at Hilton Garden Inn properties
- $12 per person daily for stays at full-service and lifestyle brands — including Hilton, Signia, DoubleTree, Curio, Tapestry Collection, Canopy, and Motto
- $15 per person daily for the brands above when staying in high-cost areas (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles County, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and all of Hawaii)
- $25 per person daily for stays luxury brands — such as Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and LXR
For those who don't wake up early or want more flexibility, this means you can use the daily food & beverage credits as you see fit during your Hilton stays. Afternoon drinks by the pool or applying the credit to your dinner bill could be options.
On the other side, there are those who really want hotel breakfast before heading out for the day, and the fact this is capped at 2 people is an issue for those traveling as families. Plus, some hotels were being pretty skimpy with what they classified as a continental breakfast.
Additionally, free breakfast is free. If you have a $10 credit but purchase something that now costs more than that after tax, you owe the difference. It is no longer free.
A Caveat – Hotels With Free Breakfast for Everyone
It's important to note that this doesn't affect hotels with free breakfast for every guest, regardless of status. Hilton says:
Does the Daily F&B Credit impact Hilton brands that offer all guests complimentary breakfast?
Guests staying at Hilton’s brands that offer complimentary breakfast to all guests will continue to receive this offering. The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit does not apply to the following brands: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton.
Extension of Food & Beverage Credits at U.S. Hilton Hotels
Originally planned just for 2021, Hilton has confirmed the continuation of the daily food & beverage credits for the foreseeable future. However, that same announcement includes an increase in dollar amounts for the full-service and lifestyle brands.
Starting February 1, 2022, daily amounts will be as follows:
In the middle section of the chart, you'll notice an increase of $3 per person per day at the full-service and lifestyle brands. Additionally, Key Largo and Key West were added to the “high-cost” locations list.
The top and bottom rows remain unchanged. Moreover, the dollar amounts are still capped at 2 people per room maximum.
Our Take
How you feel about these credits largely depends on your travel style. For a family of 4 going to a theme park, having free breakfast for everyone before heading out for the day is a huge perk. A solo traveler who likes to sleep in might have completely opposite feelings, enjoying the availability of other options.
Hilton is continuing its daily food & beverage credit at U.S. hotels for the foreseeable future. The original announcement of this offering in 2021 said this was about flexibility for members and helping with no-contact solutions during the pandemic. The gradual extension of this benefit and confusing announcements from Hilton (on whether or not it's permanent) could mean it will become permanent but they don't want to say so just yet. We'll keep you updated on any changes or further extensions.
What do you make of this? Do you prefer the old way with free breakfast at Hilton, or do you prefer the food & beverage credit?
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The Hampton Inn brand wasn’t mentioned. Until the Virus made its way to the USA, there had always been free breakfast at Hampton Inns; however, no food & beverage credit at all is listed for Hampton Inns… what gives?
“Does the Daily F&B Credit impact Hilton brands that offer all guests complimentary breakfast?
Guests staying at Hilton’s brands that offer complimentary breakfast to all guests will continue to receive this offering. The Hilton Honors complimentary Daily F&B Credit does not apply to the following brands: Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton.” – https://hiltonhonors3.hiltond3.com/rs/even-more/faq/#sectionFoodBeverageCredit
I have added this to the post to clarify.
I’m torn on this one. I used to enjoy the free breakfast, especially ones that were decent – more than just hard boiled eggs and some bread with jam and butter. Getting a freshly made omelette at double tree and Hilton garden inn was a great way to start the day. I had to pay over the allotment for previously made items that were just okay or were too salty, when recently at a Doubletree.
It, it was nice to use the $25/pp at the WA Grand Wailea on breakfast lunch or dinner and drinks. Of course we went well over the allotment most days if we got one full meal.
I think with the covid situation with many people wanting to socially distance, this might be a better way, but then it would be nice if they gave members the option. If you want the full.breakfast, get it. Or choose to use the allowance later in the day.
Either way, it’s better than nothing which keeps me returning to Hilton.
No change to embassy suites or Homewood or home2. That is where I stay. Bit Hilton had great breakfast and afternoon snacks and now you can’t buy what you ate with that piddling amount. And no cleaning of room unless you specifically ask now. Not as much fun. That is sure.
It seems that the hotel industry has been steadily chipping away at many of the benefits they used to give to customers who stayed regularly and who earned status (silver, gold diamond and Aspire). For many people, it took a lot to gain these levels and the benefits that came with them. Now, it seems those with the top levels continue to get less and less. And, one still sees more and more fees added on there and there.
I guess it is a sign of the times. Will things go back to where they were before? I doubt it. But, I will wait and see.