Questions and Answers

I have Gold status with Marriott. If I give a free 7-night Marriott stay to 2 friends booked with my Marriott points, will my friend receive the same benefits I would receive, such as free breakfast and an upgraded room.

Probably. You’d need to book the room in your name and list yourself as one of the parties staying in the room though you can indicate that your friends will check in first. However some hotel chains have been cracking down on this so you may want to be careful.

I feel like that’s easy enough for short stays (just have your friend say you’re arriving on a later flight, for example) but that would be tough on a 7 night stay….

I’d take Mid South’s advice, but be prepared for them to not get the benefits

You mention that 2 friends will be in the room. Friend #2 needs to make themselves scarce during the check-in procedure and come in a side door at a later point or the front desk staff may wonder why Friend #1 said you were coming later but the room is only booked for 2 people and there are two people standing at the check-in desk at that point in time…