Hilton started to roll out the not so loved daily Food and Beverage credit instead of breakfast for two back in 2021 (read more here and here) for hotels in the United States as a temporary pandemic-related program measure.
The program was extended to 2022, and the F&B credit amounts slightly increased. However, Hilton has not uttered a word about what happens with it in 2023 besides rolling out the credit to their Motto brand worldwide (read more here) and readying the program T&Cs for a possible global rollout (read more here).
You can access Hilton Honors here.
READ MORE: Hilton Honors Rate & Bonus Points Offers
A reader left the following comment on one of our articles:
Just had a stay at the Hilton Fallsview (Canadian side) and was given $15×2 food vouchers (Canadian dollars) instead of breakfast.
Hotel said they had an exemption from breakfast and even the diamond desk rep didn’t know about it until they sent around some emails. Apparently the Ontario region is now allowed to substitute breakfast with f&b vouchers. What garbage, and the fact it is unpublished only makes it that much more scammy. This hotel also charges $100 (125 after tax) nightly valet parking.
I was curious about this issue because there has been ZERO communication from Hilton that the daily F&B credit would suddenly be rolled out to hotels in Ontario or this specific Hilton Fallsview on the Canadian side of the falls.
I was in touch with the reader who commented:
After receiving this email (it was a response to the case I opened) I called the diamond desk back to ask about the exemption.
It was on the phone (and after much digging on her end) that she said the Ontario market is now also allowed to substitute breakfast with a f&b credit. News to her and to me.
Email from Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to contact Hilton Guest Assistance regarding your breakfast vouchers from your December 16-17, 2022 stay at the Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview.
On behalf of the staff and management of the Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview, please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience due to our breakfast program. We are one of the locations outside of the U.S. that is exempt from providing a free continental breakfast, however, we do provide breakfast vouchers in the amount of $15/day per guest.
Thank you again for taking the time to advise us of the concerns you experienced during your stay. Helpful feedback such as yours is another important way for us to constantly monitor and improve the level of service that we provide to all of our guests. Should your travels bring you back to the Niagara Falls area sometime in the near future, I would hope that you would consider giving the Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview another try. The staff and management would welcome an opportunity to prove that we can provide the highest level of hospitality and guest satisfaction.
Sincerely,
HILTON HOTEL AND SUITES NIAGARA FALLS/FALLSVIEW
The email from the hotel is clear that there are other properties where you can only expect to receive an F&B credit: “one of the locations outside of the U.S. that is exempt.”
Hilton Spokesperson’s Statement:
As noted in guest assistance email below, this particular hotel has an exception, but that is not the case for all Ontario-based hotels.
We were also in touch to find out how Honors members can get hold of a list of non-breakfast participating properties outside of the United States, but we haven’t heard back from them yet.
Issues with Food & Beverage Credit
We all agree that nobody would mind this credit IF it were an optional choice; you could choose between a breakfast or two OR an F&B credit.
1. Inadequate Amount
The daily F&B credit rarely covers anything close to resembling a continental breakfast for two. At some locations, it may be enough for water and a muffin.
2. Technical Issues
Many hotels don’t apply it correctly, and Gold and Diamond members must keep an eye on hotel folios.
3. Wrong Application
It is still unclear to many hotels when the daily F&B credit begins and ends on multinight stays.
Who Benefits?
1. Rate includes breakfast
Those whose negotiated or promotional rate includes breakfast can also get this F&B credit if they are Honors Gold or Diamond members.
2. Don’t eat breakfast
Not everyone eats breakfast or prefers having it outside of a hotel. They can use the F&B credit for something else.
Previous Hilton Breakfast Change Coverage:
Hilton Readies Program T&Cs For Removing Breakfast Benefit Globally
Hilton Extends Gold & Diamond F&B Credit Instead Of Breakfast Worldwide For Motto Brand
Hilton Extends Gold & Diamond F&B Credit In The U.S. Through The End Of 2022
Hilton Email About Much Hated US F&B Credit Extension
Hilton Daily Food & Beverage Credit: When It Begins & Ends?
How’s The Hilton Food & Beverage Credit Instead Of Breakfast Working For You?
Hilton Finally “Officially” Releases Daily F&B Credit Amounts For The U.S. Until December 31, 2021
Hilton Honors Daily Food & Beverage Credit Amounts U.S. Properties July 1 – December 31, 2021
Hilton Honors Daily Food & Beverage Credit For U.S. Properties
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the direction of this “temporary” breakfast credit is quite clear.
For now, it is an exception for this one or several hotels in Ontario (Canada), but what is next?
It should be clearly pointed out during the booking process, preferably with a red warning banner, that the hotel has opted out of delivering Honors Gold and Diamond member benefits. So why is there no page up to list these non-breakfast-inclusive hotels?
I feel this is a slippery slope and slowly expanding to hotels outside of the U.S. unless members revolt.
If you are unhappy with this change, you should write to Hilton Honors (diamond@hilton.com) and leave critical feedback for hotels that have gone this way on TripAdvisor and Google.
Better yet, you should book hotels with chains that value their elite members and offer them a hot breakfast, like IHG, which rolled it out this year for hotels worldwide (read more here).
