The Bilt Rewards program is preparing to launch a new rent payment platform, BillPay by Bilt, designed to enhance security for members who don't live at Bilt partner properties.
13.03.2025 - 23:59 / thepointsguy.com
I don't really like breakfast all that much, and, typically, if I'm eating it while traveling, it's because I have an opportunity to eat a local specialty, like a bagel in New York or pain au chocolat in Paris.
So, perhaps unsurprisingly, when Hilton first eliminated complimentary continental breakfast for Gold and Diamond elite members in favor of a daily per-person food-and-beverage credit at U.S. hotels, I welcomed the change and all the new options it opened up for me and my fellow breakfast skippers.
But even for breakfast devotees, the credit still has some advantages that the old system couldn't match.
Here are a few reasons why my enthusiasm for Hilton's approach to "free" breakfast has only grown in the years since the rollout — and why I think more travelers should embrace them.
Related: I tried out the new Hilton Honors 'breakfast' benefit — and I'm a fan
As a self-professed hotel fanatic, I love nothing more than checking into a property I'm really excited about and exploring it to the fullest during my stay. I'm keenly interested in how hotel teams curate local experiences for guests, and so many of those efforts come through dining — from the design of bar and restaurant spaces to the inclusion of regional ingredients on menus.
With the daily credit, I can explore more options rather than repeatedly visiting the breakfast buffet. On a three-night trip to the Conrad Los Angeles last January, my husband and I used one day's credit on happy hour snacks at the patio fire pits, another on poolside cocktails and a third on lunch at the rooftop restaurant. I came away from that stay feeling like we'd really gotten the most out of our time at the hotel (and, by the way, I'd highly recommend it).
Of course, hotel dining outlets often carry high prices, especially at higher-end resorts where travelers like to use points. So yes, we do sometimes go over the food-and-beverage credit threshold — but that's where the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card comes in handy. The card comes with quarterly $50 statement credits for purchases made directly with properties in the Hilton portfolio, so even if our stay is covered with points, we can offset other on-property purchases with this benefit.
My husband and I both have a Surpass Card, so when we exceed the daily credit limit, we're often reimbursed.
Of course, like most people, I travel for various reasons, many of which are not vacation. For every property I visit that imbues its menu with a sense of place, there's a seriously unglamorous one with food I have absolutely no desire to sample — especially if it's a run-of-the-mill buffet.
I believe these hotels are where the food-and-beverage credit shines.
Many of them feature a grab-and-go
The Bilt Rewards program is preparing to launch a new rent payment platform, BillPay by Bilt, designed to enhance security for members who don't live at Bilt partner properties.
I was a Diamond Medallion member for years but fell to Platinum Medallion when Delta Air Lines introduced higher qualifying requirements for elite status. Even so, most of my domestic flights are still on the airline, thanks to its extensive network from my home in New York City. And Delta has always made it right whenever I've faced an operational meltdown or other issues.
Age may just be a number, but in the volatile and cutthroat airline world, it certainly is remarkable to hit triple digits.
If you're flying with a baby for the first time, you might be wondering if you need to buy a plane ticket for your mini traveler. On most domestic flights, babies under two years old are allowed to fly for free in their parents’ arms (after the age of two, most US airlines charge the full adult fare). The practice, referred to in the airline industry as flying with a lap child, is a popular way for many young families to travel, as it can mean significant savings on airfare.
It's a season of savings for travelers looking to explore international destinations. Delta Air Lines recently published hundreds of discounted flights in its Premium Cabin Deals section, which includes offers both in its SkyMiles frequent flyer program redemptions, as well as for traditional cash payment. Best of all, the travel period extends from April through May 2025, making it perfect for travelers seeking a last-minute spring break or early summer vacation. For travelers looking to experience the new Delta One Lounge and first-class experience from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the airline has fares from 230,000 miles + $376 to London (LHR) for travel between April 25, 2025 and May 1, 2025. From New York's John F.
I am sitting at the MSC Yacht Club Grill, an exclusive open-air eatery atop the 2-year-old MSC World Europa, when I begin to wonder if my butler, Lanto, can read my mind.
Have the winds suddenly shifted for U.S. air travel, or is it just some momentary turbulence?
To properly get up close and personal with America’s public lands, which cover roughly 840 million acres, you’ve got to pitch a tent, unroll your sleeping bag, and camp. Whether you’re looking for the high desert mesas of Zion National Park or hoping to backpack across California’s Sierra Nevada, there’s a hearty list of gear you’ll need to stay cozy and comfy in the great outdoors.
Spring is nearly here and Southwest Airlines wants to get you somewhere warm. The budget airline is having a sale with one-way flights beginning at $49.
Get ready for many more options for low-cost flights coming this spring.
Kaley Cuoco has traveled to some of the dreamiest destinations around the world for work, including Thailand to film the first season of Max’s Flight Attendant, which premiered in 2020, and Berlin for the 2024 Prime Video movie «Role Play.» But of all the beautiful places she's traveled for work, Iceland was her favorite.
Four years ago, my husband and I (and our dog) packed up our lives and moved from Los Angeles to Lisbon. While we have zero regrets, I still tell people who are curious about moving abroad that there are a lot of factors to consider, such as how far you'll be from family, how comfortable you'll be settling into a second culture, and if you plan to stay for a little while or forever. If you do want to stay for the long haul, then there's one more thing to think about: health care. And according to a new ranking from International Living, I've picked the perfect spot to immigrate to.