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How to Contact Hilton Customer Service

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Getting ahold of a customer service representative can be a challenge, especially when it comes to large corporations with many departments. Hilton offers several ways for guests to receive assistance, including by phone or email, through the hotel’s app, or online.

Here's how to contact Hilton hotel customer service so you can get your questions answered quickly.

Contact Hilton customer service by phone

If you need to reach a Hilton customer service representative, you can contact them by phone. While you can find a list of global Hilton customer service numbers on the hotel chain’s website, the main Hilton customer service number for U.S.-based travelers is 888-4HONORS (888-446-6677).

Elite status members get their own dedicated Hilton Honors customer service phone number at 800-4HONORS (800-446-6677).

Note that hold times can vary based on call volume, and not all of Hilton’s customer service numbers outside of the U.S. are toll-free. Check Hilton's website to find out whether the number you plan on calling is toll-free.

We recommend contacting Hilton by phone for time-sensitive or complex issues or questions.

For example, a phone call would be best if you accidentally booked a nonrefundable stay at the wrong hotel or if you noticed incorrect charges on your hotel bill.

You’ll need to call Hilton customer service at 800-4HONORS if you have a Hilton free night certificate that you want to redeem.

» Learn more: Hilton Honors Elite Status: Your complete guide

Contact Hilton customer service online

If you need Hilton customer service assistance that isn’t time-sensitive — like changing the name on your account or leaving feedback about a recent stay — you can reach out to Hilton customer service online .

On the Hilton customer service page, you’ll see a “How can we help?” search bar at the top followed by a form to submit a question or comment and your contact information.

For more general questions — such as “How do I look up an existing reservation?” or “Hotel information and policies” — you can start by either entering your question into the “How can we help?” toolbar or by clicking “Chat Now” on the right side to be connected with a virtual assistant.

The “Chat Now” virtual assistant feature is beneficial because it answers basic questions and can connect you to a live customer service representative. By typing “Can you connect me to an agent?” you’ll be connected to one, although wait times can vary.

At the Hilton customer support site, you can also submit your question, comment or issue by filling out a few basic pieces of information, including your contact information.

After submitting the form online, you’ll get a confirmation message letting you know approximately how long it will take for Hilton to respond. In the example below, Hilton states its goal is to respond within seven to 10 days.

» Learn more: What to know before joining Hilton Honors

Contact Hilton customer service through the Hilton app

One of my favorite ways to contact Hilton customer service is through the Hilton app. When you open the Hilton app, click the “Help” button in the bottom right corner:

Once you click “Help,” you’ll be brought to a page with a search box, a list of popular topics and the option to chat with a representative or request a phone call.

The app is a great way to contact customer service. It provides you with answers to basic questions and allows you to chat directly with a customer service agent on your phone or request a call so you don’t have to spend time waiting on hold.

Another feature I love about the Hilton app is that you can contact your hotel directly, starting a few days before your visit. To contact a Hilton hotel directly using the Hilton app, open the app, click “Stays” at the bottom, find your reservation and click “Message hotel.”

Contacting your hotel directly through the app can be helpful if you have specific requests — like dietary restrictions or an early check-in — or if an issue comes up during your stay.

» Learn more: Benefits of the Hilton Honors loyalty program

Contact Hilton customer service by email

Another way to get help is through a Hilton customer service email, but note that you can only do this for Hilton Honors-related requests, like missing points or questions about benefits. There are different email addresses based on region:

General inquiries and English-language assistance for the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East and Africa : [email protected] .

Mexico, Latin America and South America : [email protected] . 

France : [email protected] . 

Germany : [email protected] .

Italy : [email protected] .

Spain : [email protected] .

Middle East and Africa : [email protected] .

Asia : [email protected] .

Response time can vary and, unlike submitting feedback via Hilton’s website, Hilton doesn’t give an estimated time frame for when an agent will respond to your email.

» Learn more: Hilton credit cards — which one you should get?

Contacting Hilton customer service recapped

There are several ways to contact Hilton customer service, including by phone, online, via the Hilton app and by email.

The best way to contact Hilton customer service will depend on the reasons for your inquiry, how time-sensitive it is, and your preferred method of communicating with customer service representatives.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

2x-10x Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Innovation Category | January 17, 2023

From Digital Keys to Contactless Payments, Here’s How Hilton’s Consumer‑Centric Tech Innovations Are Delivering a Frictionless Travel Experience

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Travelers are back on the road and in the air in record numbers, putting the travel industry on the return path to pre-pandemic business. Travel’s comeback has not been without complications, however, as overwhelming demand has strained the under-resourced sector. 

According to a new Hilton report, “ The 2023 Traveler: Emerging Trends that are Innovating the Travel Experience ,” people increasingly want a “frictionless” flow throughout their travel journey in 2023 through self-service options that offer greater choice – convenience and control – while maintaining the human touch of personalized service. 

The 2023 Traveler

Explore the report and access multimedia including photos, b-roll, fact sheets and more.

“As people start planning their 2023 travels, they have told us they are seeking immersive and stress-free experiences — with more convenience and personalization than ever before,” said Chris Silcock, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Hilton. “That’s why we’re focused on doing whatever we can to make travel easier by removing friction points that can create frustration and compromise the quality of a trip.”

For Hilton – which was recently named “Best Hotel App” by Global Traveler in its GT Tested Reader Survey Awards and received a 2022 Hotel Visionary Award from Hospitality Technology – that means accelerating its digital innovation efforts to ensure a seamless stay for guests starting well before check-in with online booking options and app-based efficiencies.

At the heart of Hilton’s enhanced online booking options and app-based efficiencies is a newly modernized version of the company’s Central Reservation System (CRS). The updated system, which launched in May 2020 at the peak of the pandemic, made Hilton the first major hotel company to run its entire reservation system in the cloud. An in-house team spent multiple years developing the next-gen CRS, which helped Hilton significantly reduce costs and boost revenue management capabilities while simultaneously enhancing the booking experience for guests through several new features. 

For example, Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton – an industry-first feature that allows guests to reserve adjoining rooms at time of booking – has been a big hit with guests wanting to stay close to family and friends. Other new search filters also allow guests to quickly find and book rooms based on their individual travel preferences. Three recently added options— “pet-friendly,” “free breakfast” and “Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers” – were among the most popular filters on Hilton.com and the Hilton Honors mobile app that led to confirmed stays in 2022. The EV charging filter alone resulted in more than 30% of users completing a booking. 

Blink EV Charger - Hilton

Hilton Confirmed Connecting Rooms

Technology expedites the check-in process as well, and helps keep guests comfortable and connected during their stay. Use of the Digital Key in the Hilton Honors app – which ensures a frictionless check-in experience by enabling travelers to bypass the front desk, choose their room and unlock their room door directly from their phone with no plastic keys required – was up almost 45% during the pandemic with about 17 million keys created globally during 2022. A new feature also lets Hilton Honors members share their Digital Key with family members and friends. 

Guests also expect technology to deliver the same level of personalized service that they receive from team members, starting with onscreen in-room welcome messages – as offered by Hilton’s Connected Room Experience – or customized messaging via the Honors App.

“Our goal is to provide seamless connectivity that meets guests where they are – whether they want to view content from their favorite streaming platform on their in-room TV, message someone on the app, or send an online request to a team member in the lobby,” said Dan Morton, vice president, guest experience, Hilton.

With COVID-19 ushering in a new era of technology, more people expect convenience at their fingertips – using their phone to shop, pay and navigate their every day – but they also want staff readily available to meet their needs and solve problems.

Importantly, Hilton’s digital innovations free up on-property staff so they can be fully present during in-person interactions with guests, further enhancing the guest experience. “When the pandemic hit, we knew we needed to act fast,” said Mike Gathright, senior vice president, customer experience, Hilton. “We quickly accelerated our efforts to ensure our guests had seamless and contactless experiences around the world – before arrival, at check-in and in their guest room – but in ways that are always connected to the personal touch and warm hospitality of our team members.”

Hilton Honors Points Plus

From Jan. 1 through May 1, 2024, Hilton Honors members can score extra Points for upcoming stays with the Points Plus Promotion. Hilton Honors members who register for the promotion and stay at any Hilton brand property during those dates will receive 2,000 Bonus Points per stay and an additional 500 Points per stay for using their Digital Key.

Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa

Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0

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A beachfront resort boasting Gulf views

Take in Gulf views from our beachfront resort. We offer a range of watersports and sightseeing tours, as well as our heated outdoor pool, sun deck, and white-sand beach. Our spa provides the ultimate in relaxation, with ten treatment rooms, massage chairs, and a boutique. Enjoy our bar, restaurant, and 560 MKT, offering coffee and light fare.

Our amenities

Connecting Rooms

Non-smoking rooms

Digital Key

EV charging

On-site restaurant

Outdoor pool

Fitness center

Room service

Business center

Meeting rooms

Pets not allowed

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Choose Your Room

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Daily Resort Charge includes: Guest internet access; 2 bottles of water daily; 2 beach chairs and towels; beach umbrella; 10% off Spa 80 minute massage; 10% off non-motorized beach equipment; daily resort activities and entertainment.

Resort offers 4 Tesla charging outlets for guests and located left of the entrance and front of Spa Building. There is a charge for the use and is charged directly through the tesla app.

Hilton Marco Island has 100% non-smoking guest rooms. The smoking oasis is located outside.

Standard in-room and lobby WiFi: $9.95

Dining and drinks

At The Deck at 560 Executive Chef Corey Hepburn focuses on fresh flavors, and local, seasonal produce. Stop by The Bar at 560 for poolside drinks or 560 MKT for coffee and to-go options. The Gulf Cart has beachside drinks and snacks covered.

Our full-service spa retreat is comprised of ten private treatment rooms, massage chairs, and a retail boutique. Experienced therapists can guide you through our treatment menu which includes massage, facials, body wraps, and mani-pedis. We use Epicuren products and customize each treatment to your needs.

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Hilton Grand Vacations and Great Wolf Lodge Partner to Offer New Travel Experiences for Families

Partnership provides current HGV members getaway options to Great Wolf Lodge and guests of the indoor water park resort exposure to HGV’s vacation offerings

ORLANDO, Fla. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV), the premier vacation ownership and experiences company, announced a partnership with Great Wolf Lodge , the owner and operator of North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts, to help expand family travel options for guests/members of both companies. The partnership will allow HGV members who are looking for a high-quality, quick drive-to, family getaway the ability to exchange club points for stays at 19 Great Wolf Lodge locations across the U.S. , while also introducing interested guests of the indoor water park resort to the benefits of vacation ownership.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416088341/en/

The partnership with Great Wolf Lodge builds on a critical component of HGV’s strategy to deepen its relationships with existing members and engage new customers. Through offerings like the one-of-a-kind family resort experience provided by Great Wolf Lodge , HGV is further strengthening its position as a leader in experiential travel and family-friendly vacations, particularly to families with young children.

With an anticipated summer 2024 start date, HGV members will be able to book vacations at Great Wolf Lodge resorts using their club points. In addition, Great Wolf Lodge guests will have the opportunity to receive curated offers to explore HGV’s network of properties.

“At Hilton Grand Vacations, we’re more focused than ever on offering unparalleled experiential travel offerings for our members to create memories that last a lifetime,” said Mark Wang , CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations . “We're thrilled to partner with Great Wolf Lodge and to work together to bring new benefits, adventures and reasons to love travel to our members. We’re looking forward to working alongside a company with such an exciting development trajectory and complementary offerings for our members.”

“Our focus is on bringing joy to families, and we’re extremely excited to introduce Hilton Grand Vacations members to the beloved family experience offered at Great Wolf Lodge ,” shared John Murphy , CEO of Great Wolf Resorts . “With 19 resorts stretching from Southern California to New England , and three more opening within the next 14 months, we look to further enhance the travel options available to Hilton Grand Vacations members by providing a close, convenient and carefree resort experience, ideal for a fun-filled family getaway.”

Great Wolf Lodge is a destination resort featuring an expansive indoor water park with slides, pools and water features that families can enjoy together. Along with the water park, guests can enjoy a variety of family-friendly attractions such as a ropes course, mini-golf, family bowling, an arcade and more. Great Wolf Lodge locations also provide complimentary entertainment offerings, delectable dining and engaging retail experiences, all conveniently located under one roof.

HGV is a leader in experiential travel through its flagship events program, HGV Ultimate Access, which provides members exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime concerts, celebrity meet-and-greets and more. This includes the HGV Tournament of Champions, which brings together entertainment, music and sports celebrities to compete alongside LPGA Tour winners from the previous two seasons in one of golf’s most unique events. The company has also partnered with the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX to offer fans a front-row seat to the race from a luxurious hospitality suite.

This partnership follows HGV’s recent $1.5 billion acquisition of Bluegreen Vacations , which closed in January. The acquisition expands HGV’s resort portfolio to nearly 200 properties, including in 14 new geographical markets and eight new states.

About Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE:HGV) is recognized as a leading global timeshare company and is the exclusive vacation ownership partner of Hilton. With headquarters in Orlando, Florida , Hilton Grand Vacations develops, markets, and operates a system of brand-name, high-quality vacation ownership resorts in select vacation destinations. Hilton Grand Vacations has a reputation for delivering a consistently exceptional standard of service, and unforgettable vacation experiences for guests and approximately 700,000 Club Members. Membership with the Company provides best-in-class programs, exclusive services and maximum flexibility for our Members around the world.

For more information, visit corporate.hgv.com . Follow us on Instagram , Facebook , LinkedIn , X (formerly Twitter) , Pinterest and YouTube .

About Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. owns and operates North America’s largest family of indoor waterpark resorts. Great Wolf Lodge is the perfect, carefree getaway for families looking to strengthen their pack, with an expansive indoor water park, fun-filled attractions and family-friendly entertainment all under one roof. Great Wolf Resorts is a fully integrated resort company with locations in: Wisconsin Dells, Wis. ; Sandusky, Ohio ; Traverse City, Mich. ; Kansas City, Kan. ; Williamsburg, Va. ; Pocono Mountains , Pa.; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada ; Mason, Ohio ; Grapevine, Texas ; Grand Mound, Wash., Fitchburg, Mass. , Concord, N.C. ; Garden Grove, Calif. , Manteca, Calif. , Colorado Springs, Colo. , Bloomington, Minn. , LaGrange, Ga. , Gurnee, Ill. ; Scottsdale, Ariz. ; and Perryville, Maryland . The company has three resorts currently under construction including Great Wolf Lodge South Florida in Naples (late summer 2024), Great Wolf Lodge Gulf Coast Texas in Webster (late summer/early fall 2024), and a resort in Mashantucket, Conn. set to open mid-2025. Additional information may be found on the company’s online media center .

View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240416088341/en/

Lauren George Hilton Grand Vacations 407-613-8431 [email protected]

Jason Lasecki Great Wolf Resorts 708-967-3325 [email protected]

Source: Hilton Grand Vacations Inc.

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Sneak peek at the Tiki: The famed Hilton Head hot spot to re-open next month

SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV)– The Tiki Hut on Hilton Head Island has been the center of the island’s social scene since 1977.

Its original structure stood behind the Holiday Inn at the end of Pope Avenue. The laid-back vibe and blended drinks have drawn massive crowds to Coligny Beach, making it a wildly popular daytime destination for locals and visitors alike.

However, the hot spot has been closed for renovations since October. The new property owners have been pouring $13 million into what they say is a completely re-imagined space. There will be some changes and some things we can look forward to seeing again.

For starters, the pool has been gutted and completely rebuilt with a new deck that will have fully outfitted cabanas furnished with sofas, a television, and a mini-fridge. The bar itself will be 10 feet longer with added services with weather curtains to keep customers out of the wind and rain. Customers can bring their dogs, except for holidays including Memorial Day and Labor Day. Plus, there will also be a new Dunes Pavillion used for weddings and as a game space for oversized fun with Giant Jenga and Connect Four.

For those who love live music, there’s a new stage and plans to showcase up to three bands a day. Also, they will now serve a weekend brunch accompanied by the soothing sounds of local musicians.

Although the Tiki Hut will be open for business on Memorial Day weekend, the official grand opening will be on May 30th.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.

Hilton lifts profit forecast on international travel demand

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China q1 industrial profits' growth pace stirs doubts about economic recovery.

China's industrial profits fell in March and slowed gains for the quarter compared to the first two months, official data showed on Saturday, raising doubts about the strength of a recovery for the world's second-biggest economy.

Nine Lessons to Be Learned From the Hilton Family Trust Contest

Disclaimers, good communication, post-marital agreements and more could help avoid conflict in a family after the owners of a wealthy estate pass away.

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This article discusses the contest of Barron Hilton’s family trust, which centers on changes made by Barron Hilton after the death of his wife, Marilyn. Barron gave 97% of his estate to charity, leaving only 3% to his children and family. While the Hilton family’s wealth is beyond our imagination, there are lessons that we can all learn from the steps Barron took to minimize the potential that his family would contest or challenge his wishes. Details from their estate plan may be applicable to us all.

Background on the Hilton family

William Barron Hilton and Marilyn Hilton had eight children. Barron became the CEO and president of Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1966. He ran Hilton Hotels until 1996. Barron was very successful. He established the Los Angeles Chargers and formed the Carte Blanche Credit Card Company.

Marilyn Hilton died on March 12, 2004. Barron and Marilyn’s estate plan included a marital trust . Many estate plans include subtrusts that spring into existence upon the death of the first spouse to die. A very common structure is an ABC subtrust format that uses a survivor’s trust, marital trust and family or bypass trust.

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The A trust, often referred to as the survivor’s trust , holds the surviving spouse’s separate property and his or her interest in any community property. The B, or marital trust, would hold the deceased spouse’s share of community property and any separate property that he or she owned at the time of his or her death not allocated to trust C. The C trust, or family or bypass trust , is funded with the deceased spouse’s assets in an amount equal to or up to the unused lifetime estate tax exemption. The estate tax exemption in 2024 is $13.61 million.

The C trust is typically irrevocable in order to move those assets outside of the surviving spouse’s estate and to minimize or avoid estate taxes. The marital trust is generally irrevocable by terms in the trust. This is often done to ensure that the surviving spouse cannot change the trust or its beneficiaries upon the other spouse’s death. In this way, each spouse knows that, at his or her death, that spouse’s share cannot be changed by the surviving spouse. This is often a key concern, as the surviving spouse may later remarry or become susceptible to influence.

The marital trust for Barron Hilton was irrevocable and provided income to Barron for his entire life. Perhaps to motivate his children and family to not contest his gift of 97% of his estate to charity, Barron disclaimed his interest on the marital trust late to provide for those assets to go to his children 14 years before his death.

Hilton Hotels was acquired by Blackstone Investments in July 2007 at a value of $26 billion. In 2007, Barron Hilton told his family and announced publicly that he would leave 97% of his remaining trust estate to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation established by his father, Conrad Hilton.

Barron utilized a number of steps to minimize a potential contest by his children and family of the substantial charitable gift to the family foundation. Despite these precautionary steps, the family did contest the trust and charitable gift . The IRS then denied the charitable deduction until the trust contest is resolved.

The lessons that we learn from Barron’s attempts to avoid that trust contest can be incorporated into our own estate plans.

1. Consider a nonqualified disclaimer, if appropriate.

To help ameliorate his children’s probable disappointment that Barron was leaving 97% of his remaining estate to charity, Barron provided for his children to receive a substantial amount held in the marital trust during Barron’s life. By its terms, the marital trust would pass to Barron’s children upon his death. Barron was able to accelerate this distribution to his kids with an unqualified disclaimer.

A qualified disclaimer is defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 2518 , which requires (1) that it be written, (2) that it be received by the title holder within nine months of creation of the interest, (3) that the disclaimant has not accepted any benefits of the interest disclaimed, and (4) that the interest passes to someone other than the disclaimant without any direction or action by the disclaimant. If these requests are satisfied, then the assets are effectively transferred to the beneficiaries without any gift tax whatsoever.

Many practitioners are not aware that this is not the only form of disclaimer. While income and estates are taxed under federal law, the property interest is determined under the state law in which the taxpayer is domiciled or resides.

A nonqualified disclaimer, if valid under that state’s law, is effective to transfer the property for federal estate tax purposes. In California, the disclaimer can be filed or made within a reasonable time after discovery, not only within nine months. However, because it does not meet the definition of a qualified disclaimer, the transfer will trigger a gift tax liability. That is what Barron did. Half of Marilyn’s community property assets were funded into a marital trust. Barron received the income from that each year and could access principal if needed for his health, education, maintenance and support.

Barron’s disclaimer was approved by the California Probate Court on April 26, 2005. Barron died 14 years later on September 19, 2019. His children received his interest in the marital trust 14 years earlier than stated in the trust terms. The marital trust assets would have been included in Barron’s estate at his death. While gift tax was paid upon the disclaimer, the 14 years of appreciation after the disclaimer prior to Barron’s death was also excluded from Barron’s estate.

In deciding the best course of action, always consider the loss of the step-up in income tax basis. The assets in the marital trust would have received a step-up in income tax basis upon Barron’s death if not transferred to his family by the disclaimer. In high income tax states such as New York (15.9%), Connecticut (15.4%), Hawaii (14.1%), Vermont (13.5%) and California (13.5%), the basis step-up could be worth as much as or even more than the avoidance of estate tax when adding the state and federal income tax rates and considering future appreciation.

2. Communication is key. Discuss your wishes with your family and perhaps with others, too.

Barron Hilton revised his estate plan to provide that 97% of his remaining trust estate would go to the charity established by his father, Conrad. Barron told his family at Christmas 2007 that this change would be made to his estate plan. In December 2007, the family foundation issued a press release that Barron would make that gift upon his death. On April 9, 2008, Barron sent a letter to his children explaining why he was leaving his estate to charity and expressing his concern that receipt of unearned wealth may “warp a person’s values.” Barron also expressed his desire “to leave the world a better place.”

Direct and clear communication can go a long way in preventing estate plan contests after your death. A statement of purpose within the plan documents may also be helpful.

3. Consider a post-marital agreement if appropriate.

Barron and Marilyn entered into a post-marital agreement on February 6, 1989, providing that certain assets were Barron’s sole and separate property. These assets were later excluded from the marital trust that was disclaimed to go to his children. This post-marital agreement provided Barron dictatorial control of those assets during his lifetime. The post-marital agreement provided greater certainty that those assets would go to the family charitable foundation, as Barron clearly wished.

Post-marital agreements can be important tax planning and asset protection tools. Some families, after a very long-term marriage, may convert separate property to community property to obtain a basis step-up upon the death of either spouse. An upstream basis trust, providing a power of appointment perhaps with the requirement of a third party’s consent, may achieve the same results with the need to convert to community property. Some estate tax planning tools, such as a spousal lifetime access trust ( SLAT ), can be funded only with separate property if the client is a resident of a community property state.

4. Obtain written consent if appropriate.

Barron obtained written waivers from each of his eight children that they would not challenge Barron’s disclaimer of the marital trust. A written consent can prevent a contest later, but care has to be taken when paired with a disclaimer or similar device. When using a disclaimer, you cannot direct who the ultimate beneficiary is other than relying upon the existing estate planning documents. The disclaimer cannot be conditioned upon a quid pro quo deal where the disclaimant receives something in return.

5. Consider the next generation’s attitude about money and family relationships.

For example, are the heirs ready for the money? Do they get along? Do the clients have any goals for the next generation? Who do the clients want their children to be when they are no longer there to guide them? Are they concerned about creating “trust fund babies” who do not become productive members of society? Are there any family values to be reinforced in the next generation?

6. Consider family relationships when selecting successor trustees.

Many families select a son or daughter to act as a successor trustee . However, for other families, having one sibling oversee the trust administration and the shares received by his or her siblings is a recipe for future family discord. This is particularly true if a sibling’s share is held back or restricted in some manner.

Be sure to consider the family dynamics and the ability of the children to work together. When future generations meet for holidays or other family gatherings, the focus should be on the family relationships and not on trust administration or related issues.

7. Use independent tiebreakers for co-trustees.

If co-trustees are named to serve together in a trust instrument, designating someone to serve as a tiebreaker may create an informal dispute-resolution process to resolve any future disputes without going to court. In the event of a disagreement between trustees, each trustee hires a lawyer, and a lawyer may be needed for the trust itself. If a tiebreaker is used, the co-trustees present their respective positions to the tiebreaker, who makes a King Solomon-like decision that is binding on the co-trustees. The co-trustees then return to oversee the trust while minimizing the potential for litigation.

8. Address allocation of personal property and effects.

Be sure to address or consider division or distribution of personal property and effects. I once had a trust dispute arise in a large estate that was inspired and ultimately resolved by distribution of a wooden pagoda that had great sentimental value to a beneficiary. That fact was not immediately identified and was actually the key to resolving the dispute. The trust values in dispute substantially exceeded the value of the pagoda.

The point is that pictures and other items of personal property can have high value to an emotional beneficiary far in excess of economic value.

9. Charitable planning can be a part of any estate.

We can also help make the world a better place and follow the Hiltons’ example. Charitable planning can provide substantial estate tax advantages while also providing substantial economic wealth to the family in addition to the tax savings. More modest estates can generate income tax savings when making gifts.

Using appreciated property such as stock for charitable gifts may provide a much greater benefit than contributing cash. With appreciated property, you receive a charitable contribution deduction equal to the fair market value of the item contributed and also avoid the tax incurred if the stock was sold.

Retirement assets such as IRAs or 401(k)s may be good candidates for charitable bequests. Retirement assets are very highly taxed assets in any estate. The charity would not have to pay income tax, and there is a deduction for income or estate tax purposes.

Like father, like son: The final twist to the story

The final twist to this story is that Conrad Hilton left only $10,000 to each of his nieces, nephews and daughter and $500,000 to his two siblings. The rest of his estate was given to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The foundation provides funds to nonprofit organizations to “improve the lives of individuals living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage throughout the world.” Conrad, its founder, said in the foundation mission statement that there “be no territorial, religious or color restrictions” to benefactors. The foundation has awarded $3.2 billion in grants to date.

Barron contested his father’s estate plan. To settle that contest, Barron received 4 million shares of Hilton Hotels. Barron then followed Conrad’s lead and left virtually all of his personal wealth to the foundation. Barron was the second-largest philanthropist in America in 2019, the year he died. Barron’s family is now contesting his charitable gift, just as Barron contested the charitable gift of his father.

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• Revocable Trusts: The Most Common Trusts in Estate Planning
• Eight Types of Trusts for Owners of High-Net-Worth Estates

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Founder of The Goralka Law Firm , John M. Goralka assists business owners, real estate owners and successful families to achieve their enlightened dreams by better protecting their assets, minimizing income and estate tax and resolving messes and transitions to preserve, protect and enhance their legacy. John is one of few California attorneys certified as a Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in both Taxation and Estate Planning, Trust and Probate.

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Hilton lifts profit forecast on international travel demand.

By Aishwarya Jain and Doyinsola Oladipo

(Reuters) -Hilton Worldwide Holdings beat Wall Street estimates for first-quarter revenue and raised its 2024 profit forecast on Wednesday, banking on rebounding international and group travel and its expanding hotel portfolio to boost results.

International travel demand is expected to continue to recover this year as global air connectivity increases and travelers flock to Middle Eastern and Latin American destinations for vacation, even as demand for domestic travel plateaus in North America.

Hilton's shares were up 5.5% in early trading.

The company forecast annual adjusted profit of between $6.89 and $7.03 per share, up from the previous range of $6.80 to $6.94 per share.

Its first-quarter revenue rose 12% to $2.57 billion, beating analysts' expectations of $2.53 billion, according to LSEG data. Management and franchise fee revenues rose 14.4% year-over-year.

Hilton, which owns brands such as Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, reported a quarterly revenue per available room (RevPAR) - an important metric in the hospitality industry - of $104.16, lifted by higher occupancy and room rates.

"System-wide RevPAR increased 2.0 percent, which was at the low end of our guidance range, as renovations, inclement weather and unfavorable holiday shifts weighed on performance more than anticipated," CEO Christopher Nassetta said on an analyst call.

RevPAR rose 14.8% in the Middle East and Africa during the quarter, higher than any other region. It fell 0.4% in the U.S. and was flat in China, as travelers in those regions opted to travel abroad.

"US RevPAR turned negative but Americas and Middle East & Africa accelerated ... implying global travel demand still robust," Richard Clarke, an analyst at Bernstein, wrote in a note.

Hilton's quarterly adjusted profit was $1.53 per share, ahead of analysts' estimate of $1.42 per share.

It expects net unit growth, or room additions, to be between 6% and 6.5% in 2024, excluding the effect of its planned Graduate Hotels acquisition, which is expected to close in the second quarter. Quarterly net unit growth was 5.6%.

Contract acquisition costs and capital expenditures in 2024, excluding amounts reimbursed by third parties, are projected between $250 million and $300 million, Hilton said.

William Crow, analyst at Raymond James, said the U.S. RevPAR decline might help brace the Street for what's to come for peers, especially those with smaller global footprints than Hilton, Marriott or Hyatt.

(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru and Doyinsola Oladipo in New York; Editing by Milla Nissi)

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