Hilton Honors Extends Food & Beverage Credit for Elite Members

In unhappy news for Hilton loyalists, Hilton Honors has made the move to extend its food and beverage credit offering in lieu of breakfast through 2022. This move is not unexpected but is certainly unwelcome. Let’s take a look.

Hilton Honors Elite Benefits

Among benefits such as room upgrades, late checkout, and premium Wi-Fi, both Gold and Diamond Hilton elite members have long had the ability to receive free breakfast during their stays. This has been especially beneficial for those who gain elite status via a credit card, such as The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

However, in 2021 and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hilton announced that it would be eliminating free breakfast options in the U.S. While the benefit remained unchanged in other locations, members staying at U.S. Hilton properties would instead receive a daily food and beverage credit. The credit amount varied based on which hotel you stayed in; higher-end properties received greater amounts and vice versa.

There have been some changes made starting February 1, 2022, with mid-tier brands in select markets seeing a bump in their daily credits:

Eligible markets for the increased credits include Boston, Chicago, Hawaii, Key Largo, Key West, Los Angeles County, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

While it’s nice that some locations are getting a bump, there’s no doubt that these still represent a significant devaluation for most members. After all, hotel breakfasts will often run you upwards of $15 at these properties, let alone that paltry $25 for a spread at the Waldorf.

Still, Hilton touts this as a good thing, ostensibly because the credit can be used in various ways. It’s true that the daily food and beverage credit can be redeemed for more than just breakfast; you can charge food and drinks from any eligible outlets at the hotel to your room and be reimbursed. This includes alcoholic drinks, where $15 can get you roughly two-thirds of a cocktail.

Hot Tip: Still jonesing for complimentary breakfast? Check out these top options for credit cards that provide breakfast benefits. 

Final Thoughts

This is sorry news for Hilton Honors elite members, though not entirely unexpected. Although Hilton calls this an improvement, it’s hard not to imagine that this is a cost-saving move for the hotel chain. Fortunately, the free breakfast benefit remains at all properties outside the U.S., which must mean it’s time to get out there and explore.