We’ve been staying at Hilton hotels more often lately. That’s mostly because we’ve had a few free night certificates to use and found some good redemption opportunities. Even so, most of our Hilton stays are at brands like Homewood Suites, where breakfast is already included, which means Hilton Honors Gold status doesn’t get us any additional breakfast benefit.
And that’s one of the strange things about the Hilton Honors program: instead of offering free breakfast for elite members like it used to, Hilton now gives Gold and Diamond members a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. hotels — but only at certain brands.
What Is Hilton’s F&B Credit, Anyway?
In 2021, Hilton eliminated the traditional free breakfast benefit for elite members at most U.S. hotels. In its place, Gold and Diamond members now receive a daily credit, intended to cover breakfast, a drink, or a snack, depending on how you want to use it.
Here’s how much the credit is worth by brand:
| Brand | Daily F&B Credit Value* |
|---|---|
| Waldorf Astoria, LXR, Conrad, NoMad | $25 per person |
| Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Signia, Canopy, Curio Collection, Graduate, Tempo, DoubleTree, Motto**, Tapestry Collection | $15–$18 per person |
| Hilton Garden Inn | $10 per person |
* Credit is per registered guest (up to 2 guests), per night, and only at participating U.S. properties. Most international Hilton hotels still provide complimentary breakfast for Gold and Diamond members.
** Motto properties may vary — always check with the hotel directly.
Experience #1: Our Tapestry Collection Stay in NYC
Our first time trying to use the F&B credit was during a quick trip to New York City to see Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden. We booked a Tapestry Collection hotel using points, and thanks to Hilton Gold status, we each received a $18 daily food and beverage credit.
The only place to use the credit was The Pleat Cafe & Bar — except it wasn’t really a cafe or a bar. It was a grab-and-go stand tucked into a corner of the lobby. A whiteboard sign over the hand sanitizer stand advertised “New Bagels!” You could grab coffee, a Spindrift, or a prepackaged salad. No tables. No service. And most importantly, it was closed when we checked out at 7:45 AM on a Sunday morning.
We ended up with two unused paper vouchers — a completely wasted benefit that felt more like a gimmick than a perk.
Experience #2: Homewood Suites — Nothing Extra
We’ve had a few more Hilton stays, but most have been at Homewood Suites, where breakfast is included for all guests.
Because of that, elite members don’t receive a food and beverage credit at all. It’s not a problem — we knew what to expect — but it highlights the unevenness of Hilton’s elite perks. At some hotels, you’ll get a meaningful benefit. At others, you’ll get nothing.
Experience #3: A Small Win in Philadelphia (With a Catch)
We finally stayed at a full-service Hilton in Philadelphia, where the credit actually worked. We ordered a coffee and a pastry for about $11.75, and the charge was taken off our room bill.
But the credit didn’t cover gratuity. Although the credit technically worked as intended, it didn’t fully cover the cost of a simple breakfast item.
Final Thought
On paper, Hilton’s Food & Beverage credit appears to be an excellent way for guests to choose how to utilize their elite breakfast benefit. But in practice, it often falls flat. Sometimes there’s no place to use it. Other times, the location is inconvenient or has limited hours. And even when everything works, the credit might not fully cover the cost, especially after tax and tip.
If you’re staying at a brand like Homewood Suites or Hampton Inn, you’ll get free breakfast, but no extra credit. If you’re staying at a higher-end brand, you’ll want to check in advance what your options actually are. Because, based on our experience, “flexible breakfast” can sometimes mean “you’re on your own.”
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