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Hilton’s international free breakfast is here to stay — at least for now
Tanner Saunders
Senior hotels reporter
Tanner Saunders is a Webby Award-winning senior hotels reporter for TPG based in Brooklyn. He covers everything from breaking hotel news to in-depth features on the world’s best hotels.
Dec. 23, 2022
•
3 min read
Hilton’s international free breakfast is here to stay — at least for now
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We know if there’s one thing TPG readers love, it’s free breakfast. And for elite Hilton Honors members, it’s a very important perk.
But a recent change to the terms and conditions on Hilton’s website has people wondering if change is in the air outside the U.S.
Last year, Hilton moved away from offering the complimentary continental breakfast benefit in the U.S. for Gold and Diamond elite members in favor of a $10-$25 food and beverage credit. While Hilton claimed the credit offered more flexibility to guests, many elite members considered the change a downgrade to the program.
Outside the U.S., the complimentary continental breakfast benefit stayed the same.
Then, this month, Hilton updated the language in its terms and conditions, leaving many people to speculate if Hilton could be ditching free breakfast outside the U.S. just as it did within our borders.
Previously, the terms and conditions stated that on-property Hilton Honors benefits included “complimentary snacks and beverages, 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.”
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The updated version now reads, “Qualification for all on-property Hilton Honors benefits, including complimentary Internet and MyWay benefits such as complimentary snacks and beverages, complimentary continental breakfast OR a Daily Food & Beverage Credit (varies by brand and region).”
This updated language could imply that international Hilton hotels now have the option to offer the same food and beverage credit as U.S. hotels in place of a full continental breakfast.
TPG reached out to Hilton for clarification and was told that there are “no changes in the U.S. or internationally.” As the representative explained, the confusion seems to come from the international expansion of Motto by Hilton, which “has always offered food and beverage credit as part of its brand standard.”
Additionally, the spokesperson said, beyond Motto shaking things up by going global, there are “no changes on the broader Hilton Honors F&B program offerings.”
Related: 5 ways to get your hotel breakfast for free
But the new language in the terms and conditions still leaves the door open to changes further down the line. A free full breakfast is a great, money-saving perk — and we’d hate to see that valuable offering be swapped, once again, for a dollar-valued credit that at many hotels barely covers the cost of coffee and a muffin.
Featured image by ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.