Hilton downgrades its UK executive lounge offering

Back in July, Hilton issued a group-wide edict to its hotels that it was no longer necessary to serve spirits or port in the Executive Lounge.  All that was necessary to meet brand standards was to offer beer and a red and white wine.

To be fair, some hotels have pushed back on this.  Not surprising, since we’re hardly talking about a massive expense here.  What is the total value of the spirits on offer in a typical lounge? £100?  I assume the annual cost can’t be much more than £500.

There also appears to be a move against the ‘free breakfast’ that you are obliged to receive as a Gold or Diamond member.  More and more properties are following the example of the Conrad New York which I visited in February, and restricting elite guests to something along the lines of ‘coffee, juice, muffin’ with the option of paying for a full breakfast.

This following story may or may not be true, but it comes from a staff member working in the Executive Lounge of a UK Hilton property.

Apparently, Hilton has is also reducing the recommended level of lounge catering from the Autumn.  What is not clear is whether this change will be mandatory or optional on individual hotels.

The current recommendation of ‘two hot and three cold’ food options will be reduced to ‘one hot and two cold’.

I don’t have any further information on this at present, although the source is reliable.  Hopefully individual hotels know what is good for them and keep a broader range of options – cutting hot food as we move into the Winter does not seem incredibly smart …

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How to earn Hilton Honors points and status from UK credit cards (February 2025)

There are various ways of earning Hilton Honors points from UK credit and debit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

There are two dedicated Hilton Honors debit cards. These are especially attractive when spending abroad due to the 0% or 0.5% FX fee, depending on card.

You also receive FREE Hilton Honors status for as long as you hold the debit cards – Gold status with the Plus card and Silver status with the basic card. This is a great reason to apply even if you rarely use it.

We reviewed the Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card here and the Hilton Honors Debit Card here.

You can apply for either card here.

NEW: Hilton Honors Plus Debit

10,000 bonus points, Hilton Gold status and NO FX fees Read our full review

NEW: Hilton Honors Debit

2,500 bonus points, Hilton Silver status and 0.5% FX fees Read our full review

There is another way of getting Hilton Honors status, and earning Hilton Honors points, from a payment card.

Holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

You can also earn Hilton Honors points indirectly with:

• American Express Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Rewards Credit Card (10,000 bonus Amex points)

and for small business owners:

• American Express Business Gold (20,000 bonus Amex points)
• American Express Business Platinum (50,000 bonus Amex points)

The conversion rate from American Express to Hilton points is 1:2.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which can be used to earn Hilton Honors points.