Breakfast is one of the perks of hotel elite status that people value most, though the policies differ significantly among the major hotel groups. Marriott is the largest hotel group in the world, though arguably the Marriott Bonvoy program’s elite breakfast benefit is the most complicated one out there. By the time you finish reading…
Continue reading: Marriott Bonvoy’s Complicated Elite Breakfast Benefit Explained
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
So , the breakfast is worth "52" ? With or without the N.Y. POST ? My breakfast conversation is worth $ 80 .
The Marriott inconsistent breakfast offering has nothing to do with Starwood merger. Starwood had consistent breakfast across all brands. This is due to the vast difference in profit mix between Marriott brands, which has led them to differentiate elite member offerings per brand. Marriott did not become the largest chain by being overly generous in fact, they did so because of the financial discipline and consistent returns for franchise owners. We may not like this but it's purely a business decision.
Bonvoy'd, yet again. Many greedy properties do not honor the benefit, even when they're supposed to; and the properties that do honor it, skimp on quality to offset. Set low expectations, friends.
Other than the ever-diminishing 85K certificate, the Platinum status for free breakfast is one of the reasons I've kept the Amex Brilliant card; but, yeesh, these days, I'm less-and-less interested in renewing for... $650! Sonova...
Bonvoy'd, yet again. Many greedy properties do not honor the benefit, even when they're supposed to; and the properties that do honor it, skimp on quality to offset. Set low expectations, friends.
Other than the ever-diminishing 85K certificate, the Platinum status for free breakfast is one of the reasons I've kept the Amex Brilliant card; but, yeesh, these days, I'm less-and-less interested in renewing for... $650! Sonova...
Just stayed at moxy banff. Welcome amenity was 1000 points or $10 canadien. Each worth between $7 and 8 us dollars. But does marriott specify the reimbursement in us dollars? I know it is a small amount but when I mentioned it at the hotel they did not even realize they may not be fully honoring the benefit.
I think the (Resorts only) and (hotels only) for Renaissance, Autograph, Marriott, etc. are flipped the other way around?
It's always been breakfast for hotels and a credit for resorts, not the other way around?
Fairfield Inn & Suites outside North America does NOT offer free breakfast to all guests nor is the brand covered by the elite breakfast benefit for platinums and higher. It's becoming a problem.
I've been to a couple US Marriotts that I think allowed me to order whatever I wanted. I say "I think" because the receptionist was supposed to give me breakfast vouchers at check-in, and they did not, even when I specifically said I want the breakfast benefit. Both hotels removed all charges at checkout so I don't have any complaints, but I learned my lesson and will always ask if I need vouchers for future US Marriott stays.
I'm still a few years away from lifetime Platinum, but that Brilliant 85k cert (along with the Ritz-Carlton cert) will be hard for me to give up once I get there. Pretty much never had problem getting value using both for a 2-night stay
At non-resort legacy Marriott brands like Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance and Autograph in Canada, the USA, and Europe, a platinum or higher at check-in generally gets a choice of 1,000 points or a US$10 F&B voucher. At those same non-resort properties anywhere else it's 1,000 points or a F&B amenity. That's the elite welcome gift benefit. There's also the lounge access benefit. If those properties don't have a lounge you get a second choice of 750 points per day or a breakfast in the restaurant. If they fail to offer one or both benefits you can claim US$100 cash compensation per incident.
At resort legacy Marriott brands like Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance and Autograph in Canada, the USA, and Europe, the choice is breakfast or 1,000 points. At those same resort properties anywhere else, it's 1,000 points, a F&B amenity, or breakfast in the restaurant. Sheraton, Le Merdien and Westin resorts with a lounge have to provide lounge access separate from the elite welcome gift and restaurant benefit option.
Hilton definitely number one. All it takes is gold and you have free breakfast. Easily obtained with a credit card for those of us who are not road warriors
Outside of the US it's usually a buffet or pick whatever you want from the menu.
Yes, getting value out of the certificate is pretty easy.
We are thinking of each of using our certificates at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Orlando.
($799 a night x2) + ($300 annual dining credit x2) + ($44 per breakfast x4) =$2376 versus $1300 in AFs.
And of course, there are breakfast benefits and lounge access at other stays that only improve the performance.
The Ritz card is even better overall, $450 AF w/ a $300 travel fee credit (super easy to use, just have to remember to send Chase a message to utilize it) + the 85k cert + free AU cards with access to Sapphire lounges and Priority Pass. Fully expect Chase to nerf it soon-ish, but it’s real nice to hold for the moment
As a Gold Elite,I was pleased when the front desk person at the Courtyard Downtown Toronto told me that all the Gold members receive a free continental breakfast, as a hotel perk. It’s in a keyed separate space, and it was decent.
It was explained that this is a perk for that property.
Unfortunately not all the brands in the "Marriott brands that offer all guests free breakfast" always offer breakfast for all guests. The only example I have from recent experience is the Element in Kuala Lumpur, where breakfast is an additional charge. A few years ago I had the option to pick breakfast as a welcome gift, but when I went last year that was sadly no longer an option
I work for Marriott and even I didn’t realise just how many variations of the breakfast benefit there is! Wow