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. In this post I wanted to explain Marriott Bonvoy’s breakfast benefit as simply as possible, because there’s a lot to understand.
In this post:
Why Marriott Bonvoy’s breakfast benefit is complicated
Marriott Bonvoy has the least consistent elite breakfast benefit of any major hotel group. While Marriott has around 30 different hotel brands, the group has over 50 different breakfast policies. That’s because sometimes policies differ depending on whether a property is in the United States or abroad, whether a property is categorized as a hotel or resort, whether a property has a club lounge or not, etc.
I don’t know why this has to be so complicated, but I suspect it’s a combination of the merger between Marriott and Starwood, plus corporate generally trying to please hotel owners. It seems like there are some harmonization opportunities, though…
What Marriott brands offer free elite breakfast?
To make this as simple as possible, I’ll put Marriott’s brands into one of four categories:
- Some hotel brands offer all guests complimentary breakfast, regardless of status
- Some hotel brands don’t offer any guests complimentary breakfast on account of status
- Some hotel brands offer complimentary breakfast as an elite status welcome amenity choice
- Some hotel brands offer a food & beverage credit as an elite status welcome amenity choice, which can be applied toward breakfast, or another drink or meal
Before we get into this, a few more things to note:
- The elite breakfast benefits are specific to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members and above; Silver and Gold members don’t receive these perks, and conversely, Titanium and Ambassador members don’t get any incremental breakfast perks
- Aside from the brands offering all guests free breakfast, there’s always an opportunity cost to getting breakfast, since you have to choose that as your welcome amenity in lieu of something else, like Bonvoy points
- I’m intentionally trying to simplify this as much as possible, so am leaving out some fairly minor details that I think will only complicate things (trust me, I’m doing you a favor here)
With that out of the way, let’s get into it.
Marriott brands that offer all guests free breakfast
The following Marriott brands offer all guests complimentary breakfast:
- Element
- Fairfield Inn & Suites
- Residence Inn
- SpringHill Suites
- TownePlace Suites
As you can see, there are no incremental breakfast perks at these properties for elite members, since everyone gets breakfast. Platinum members and above can still select a welcome amenity (typically points), but that’s unrelated to breakfast.
Marriott brands that don’t offer free elite breakfast
The following Marriott brands don’t offer elite members complimentary breakfast:
- Design Hotels
- EDITION
- Marriott Grand Residence Club
- Marriott Vacation Club
- Ritz-Carlton
It’s really a shame that some of Marriott’s highest-end brands choose not to offer elite members breakfast. If you do want to receive complimentary breakfast at EDITION or Ritz-Carlton, your best bet is to book through the Marriott STARS program, where that’s a perk.
Marriott brands that offer free elite breakfast
The following Marriott brands allow elite members to select complimentary breakfast as their welcome amenity:
- Aloft
- Autograph Collection (resorts only)
- Delta (resorts only)
- Four Points by Sheraton
- JW Marriott (resorts only)
- Le Meridien
- Luxury Collection
- Marriott (resorts only)
- Protea
- Renaissance (resorts only)
- Sheraton
- St. Regis
- Tribute Portfolio
- Westin
- W
Marriott brands that offer elite food & beverage credit
The following Marriott brands allow elite members to select a food & beverage credit as their welcome amenity, which could be applied to breakfast (or something else):
- AC Hotels
- Autograph Collection (hotels only)
- Courtyard
- Delta (hotels only)
- Gaylord
- JW Marriott (hotels only)
- Marriott (hotels only)
- Moxy
- Renaissance (hotels only)
How executive lounge access fits into this
What complicates this even further is that Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members and above receive complimentary lounge access at a vast majority of Marriott brands, assuming there’s a lounge. The only widespread exclusion is Ritz-Carlton club lounges, as you have to buy access to those.
If you’re staying at a property like a Marriott or Sheraton, you’ll automatically receive executive lounge access, and you don’t need to select that as your welcome amenity. With executive lounge access, you’ll also get complimentary continental breakfast in the lounge.
However, as you can see, you can still select restaurant breakfast as your welcome amenity, if you’re in a situation where you’d prefer to dine in the restaurant rather than in the lounge (since the selection is sometimes superior). However, some hotels will automatically offer lounge guests to also enjoy restaurant breakfast, so you might not even need to select that as your welcome amenity to dine in the restaurant.
Marriott Bonvoy elite breakfast FAQs
While the above covers the very basics, let me answer some of the most common questions about Marriott Bonvoy’s Platinum breakfast benefit.
Do Marriott Silver & Gold members get free breakfast?
No, aside from hotels that offer all guests free breakfast, there are no incremental elite breakfast perks for Silver and Gold members. Only Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador members get a breakfast benefit.
For how many people does Marriott’s breakfast benefit apply?
Generally speaking, Marriott’s breakfast benefit applies for the elite member plus one additional guest. In some cases if you’re staying in a room with more people (like children) hotels may offer them free breakfast too, but that’s a courtesy rather than a policy.
Is tip included with Marriott’s breakfast benefit?
There’s nothing in the Marriott Bonvoy terms indicating whether gratuity is included with elite breakfast perks. I’ve found that some hotels do include gratuity for elite breakfast, while others don’t. Generally this is a non-issue outside the United States, while in the United States I always try to bring some cash to breakfast, in the event that it’s not.
How do you redeem your Marriott breakfast benefit?
The first step is to make sure you select breakfast as your elite welcome amenity when you check-in. Once that’s selected, the front desk associate should explain the process for actually using the breakfast benefit. At some hotels you just charge the full amount of breakfast to your room, and it’s taken off at check-out. At other hotels you have to present a voucher when you’re seated.
Is Marriott breakfast continental or full?
It depends who you ask. If you ask me, Marriott’s elite benefit is for continental breakfast. Looking at the Marriott Bonvoy terms & conditions:
- The welcome amenity is generally for “breakfast in restaurant,” without mentioning what kind of breakfast
- When you select breakfast as a welcome amenity in lieu of lounge access, the terms specifically state you’re entitled to continental breakfast
Some take that to mean that you get a full, hot breakfast at hotels with a club lounge. Personally that’s not my interpretation, and for that matter a vast majority of hotels I’ve stayed at would be in violation of the rules if that were the case. With Marriott I just expect a continental breakfast, and if I get more than that, I consider myself to be lucky.
Should you select breakfast as your Marriott welcome amenity?
In almost all cases, selecting breakfast as your welcome amenity is the better value. Let me give an example of why. Last year I stayed at the St. Regis Aspen for five nights, and as a Titanium member I could select either a $52 daily breakfast credit, or a welcome amenity of 1,000 points.
Over the course of my five night stay, that $52 credit adds up to $260. Meanwhile the 1,000 point welcome amenity is offered once per stay. I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, so to me 1,000 points are worth $7. It wasn’t too tough to decide between $260 worth of breakfast or $7 worth of points.
How consistent is Marriott’s elite breakfast benefit?
Not at all. As you might expect, there’s huge variability in terms of the execution of the complimentary breakfast benefit, and it perhaps reflects general recognition of elite status around the globe.
Outside the United States the breakfast benefit is often incredible, with access to a full buffet at no extra cost. In the United States it’s a different story, and more often than not, I find one of the following to be the case:
- The breakfast benefit is explicitly for something you may not necessarily want and that’s very limited, like a bowl of cereal, a banana, and some coffee
- The breakfast benefit is a certain dollar amount that covers some very basic items, but can be applied toward something else
I obviously prefer the latter method. It often means my breakfast won’t be free, but at least I’ll get what I actually want at a reasonable cost.
I actually can’t remember the last time I stayed at a Marriott property in the United States and could order what I wanted for breakfast without it costing me anything out of pocket.
How does Marriott’s breakfast benefit compare to competitors?
How does the Marriott Bonvoy breakfast benefit compare to what competitors offer? Here’s my general take:
- World of Hyatt is among the best, as Globalist members receive complimentary full breakfast at a vast majority of properties globally
- IHG One Rewards is now also competitive, as Diamond members receive complimentary full breakfast at most brands
- Hilton Honors Diamond and Hilton Honors Gold members have the benefit of getting a benefit at all brands, though nowadays properties in the United States just offer a food & beverage credit, rather than complimentary breakfast, and that credit typically isn’t big enough to cover a proper breakfast
Bottom line
Complimentary breakfast is one of the most valuable benefits of hotel elite status. However, the execution is different with every loyalty program, and for that matter you’ll even find quite a bit of variance within a particular loyalty program.
Marriott Bonvoy has the most complicated elite breakfast benefit. Long story short, you should get lounge access, complimentary breakfast, or a food & beverage credit, at all but five brands. The execution of that is highly variable, though, with some hotels offering access to an amazing breakfast buffet without paying a dime, while other hotels offer a cup of coffee and a muffin.
What has your experience been with Marriott’s elite breakfast benefit?
Does the hotel room have to be booked under the Platinum member to enjoy the free breakfast?
Had a tribute hotel manager of a property that offers a breakfast amenity try to tell me that it only covers breakfast for the first night not every night….I caught the charges on my bill. Worse is that I chose the free breakfast option at check in and this wasn’t disclosed. They also make you redeem a coupon every time even after you chose the breakfast option.
This is a manager. The audacity to...
Had a tribute hotel manager of a property that offers a breakfast amenity try to tell me that it only covers breakfast for the first night not every night….I caught the charges on my bill. Worse is that I chose the free breakfast option at check in and this wasn’t disclosed. They also make you redeem a coupon every time even after you chose the breakfast option.
This is a manager. The audacity to claim that it only counts on one night of your stay is either gross misrepresentation or complete incompetence.
Just a lowly commoner at Platinum status, annual no less. Enjoying a weekend at the JW in Savannah and confusion on my part on what a continental breakfast is. It’s not the buffet… the brought out two pastries fruit and coffee. Face value on menu $22. Just give a $15 credit and be done with it. Of course this could be based on country and property tier.
I have recently been to a couple Fairfield in Hokkaido. These locations don't have a restaurant onsite and do not offer breakfast to any of their guest.
Seems Fairfield chain in Japan doesn’t offer breakfast as welcome gift option even if they have restaurant serving breakfast . Anyway can verify?
I suppose if being Bonvoyed continues, both CO-CEO’s will be marching soon.
The fellow at Hyatt is pulling many Marriott loyalists away.
He did for us, and we are Titanium elite lifetime.
Chris Nassetta keeping Hilton in the game so far, smart guy.
When reading on the web, a date would be useful to see how current the post is. From the comments I see it's probably late March 2023. The Marriott T+C I was just looking at is June 2023 - so is this post current??
I'm a lifetime Platinum, currently Ambassador. I do not pay for breakfast on the weekends in the restaurant at full service hotels when lounge is closed (except resorts and those they do not offer breakfast perk at all). I politely insist that as one of their most loyal elite members, I should be able to enjoy a free breakfast of my choice and not some "continental" version as most lounges offer more than traditional continental...
I'm a lifetime Platinum, currently Ambassador. I do not pay for breakfast on the weekends in the restaurant at full service hotels when lounge is closed (except resorts and those they do not offer breakfast perk at all). I politely insist that as one of their most loyal elite members, I should be able to enjoy a free breakfast of my choice and not some "continental" version as most lounges offer more than traditional continental when open. Sometimes management gives me one of their "special" vouchers that covers whatever I order at breakfast. Other times, they charge me then remove if from my room at check-out (as we made the agreement during check-in). Marriott's breakfast rules are complicated, but I encourage you to use your status as a one of their most loyal members to obtain a full, free breakfast when the lounge is closed. I've never had management tell me no.
Is there a way to tell if a certain Marriott Hotel is considered a "resort", for benefits purposes?
Google "list of Marriott resorts" and you will see. There are about 75.
As a Titanium elite lifetime member, it seems the longtime benefit of breakfast, which I have enjoyed and kept me choosing Marriott time and time again is no longer. I used to experience either breakfast in the lounge when they had one, or in the restaurant which always included the full buffet or choice of any menu item and coffee/tea/juice. Now it seems to be a "continental" breakfast that is either only the "cold" side...
As a Titanium elite lifetime member, it seems the longtime benefit of breakfast, which I have enjoyed and kept me choosing Marriott time and time again is no longer. I used to experience either breakfast in the lounge when they had one, or in the restaurant which always included the full buffet or choice of any menu item and coffee/tea/juice. Now it seems to be a "continental" breakfast that is either only the "cold" side of the buffet and that is it! No option even for a menu item. I used to love staying at the JW Marriott in Honolulu--breakfast buffet was great, restaurant across from the beach, servers very welcoming. Was a highlight of the stay and made me return again and again. Last 2 times I was there, now "cold Buffet only." So disappointing. Feels like I literally got "downgraded" in status. Currently at Westin in Seattle. Besides a " comedy or errors" of a stay, they too have cold buffet only. Very Limited selection, can't seem to get a bagel-- drawer of bread barely stocked both times I was there, early on in the am. Asked and gave up both days. Can't order anything off the menu despite my status. They offer a brunch on sat/sun in the bar area-- again not included. The hot buffet is just some eggs, meat, potatoes and oatmeal. Seems silly to cause such bad will with lifetime customer over a few eggs. Maybe this is the "new Bonvoy"? Hyatt has the right idea, doing what I used to experience with Marriott. Excellent breakfast, very welcoming to members who are elite. This really changes my experience of the hotel and my trip. Ironically I had a trade show in Seattle at Hyatt and stayed there and MOVED to Westin after and am so regretting it. Sadly I think this is their new direction. I don't feel any appreciation anymore as a titanium lifetime member. What's the advantage beyond points? No " perks". Will be moving my business more to Hyatt, with breakfast being a huge factor.
How can you get titanium lifetime member?
From the old Starwood merger. No longer possible
Great article as always!
What about the rules for using your f&b credit?!? On a multiple night stay, you clearly get a credit for each night. But do you have 24 hrs to use it? Or by noon next day? Mult times i have tried to use the credit for lunch on checkout day after 12 pm and it is not allowed !! What are the actual rules?
Ritz-Carlton Kyoto provides breakfast to Platinum or above. On the other hand, Moxy Frankfurt City Center doesn't even offer the choice of a breakfast to Titanium. Likewise, Fairfield Osaka Namba doesn't offer breakfast to Titanium member.
At Marriott Vacation Club is even worse than breakfast. They make sure you understand that your status means nothing as they will spell out that you will get no breakfast, early check in, late check out or room upgrades. Why do they even call themselves a Marriott?
Marriott Hotels consistently screw loyalists over in the US. Even when Hilton’s and Hyatt’s offered to-go breakfast, Marriotts just kept their breakfast restaurants and lounges closed (due to Covid) and offered paltry 1000 points instead. The value of those points is something like $6, which won’t get you a cup of coffee at the on-premise Starbucks that was open (funny how Covid wasn’t a concern there and nothing could have been worked out between the...
Marriott Hotels consistently screw loyalists over in the US. Even when Hilton’s and Hyatt’s offered to-go breakfast, Marriotts just kept their breakfast restaurants and lounges closed (due to Covid) and offered paltry 1000 points instead. The value of those points is something like $6, which won’t get you a cup of coffee at the on-premise Starbucks that was open (funny how Covid wasn’t a concern there and nothing could have been worked out between the hotel and Starbucks to offer even a basic breakfast sandwich). But even before the pandemic, places like the Westin Jersey City offered breakfast credits but charged so much for plain coffee (I believe it was $6-8) that you couldn’t order almost anything else without having to pay extra. And then there’s the Mauna Kea in Hawaii: While you did get a basic continental breakfast, the upcharge from the continental option to the full buffet was way more than the $15 price difference between the continental and buffet breakfast options according to their menu. Of course all these hotels are perfectly in their right to do this and have much else going for them but the optics are just bad and I sometimes wished that they didn’t offer anything instead of trying to sell me for stupid. I still enjoy the stay overall but there’s this residual level of annoyance and frustration that overshadows the stay. I’m not complaining about “only” getting continental breakfast but I do think it’s a bit sneaky to have an inflated upcharge, offer credits that can’t even get you coffee and a piece of toast or just keep blaming Covid for not offering breakfast at all. This mainly seems to be an American problem, however, as Marriott’s in Europe and Asia always seem to place customer satisfaction first in my experience (offering their top of the line breakfast buffet, even for a third guest in the room, etc.) to make sure you have a great stay. When I pay for a full service hotel at a chain I’ve spent thousands of dollars with and who entice me to come back again and again by offering “benefits”, then I don't want there to always a catch. And you know that’s the case when your spouse asks “I wonder how they’ll get us this time” every time we stay at a Marriott (which is losing more and more of our business to Hyatt and Hilton).
@Ben
Apparently it is so complex that you don't describe it correctly. JW Marriott, Marriott, Delta, Autograph Collection, Renaissance have guaranteed lounge access with breakfast. If they don't have a lounge, or the lounge is closed they have to offer breakfast in the restaurant. Or the guest can choose 750 points (mainly if breakfast is already included in the rate)
I also find that Resort or Resort Clubs are hard to differentiate.
North American Hotel all kind of suck. I love traveling to Asia or the Middle East. Massive breakfast buffets. Bonvoy Titanium
I wonder how long before St. Regis owners successfully pitch for them to be excluded from the breakfast benefit too? One of the reasons I prefer them over the Marriott "luxury" brands that don't offer any breakfast. (and if successful, I'd expect W's to be next?)
Regarding lounge access - I'm still sad that The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho (LC) doesn't allow lounge access any more. Their lounge staff were fantastic back before the change.
Whoever thought that one would need a PhD in Marriott breakfasts?
I just avoid Marriott properties these days altogether if I can; they ruined Starwood and I find that Hyatt (my favorite point-granting chain) and Hilton suit me fine, but I do know a LOT of Marriott fangirls and fanboys.
@ben would be interesting to see how many folks the past few years now jumped ship from Marriott. Just like @travelinwilly, I also did so to Hyatt... despite being Bonvoy LTT
Same here on both counts. Hyatt is amazing. Marriott is just a poor service company kowtowing to hotel owners at this point.
Hyatt footprint is a very very significant problem.
As much as every blogger trying to push to this chain, I just can't find a Hyatt everywhere I needed to go.
Significant for you, not an issue for me nor many others. Hyatt is bigger than Starwood was at the time of the merger, and they were great for me for a decade. Quality >>> Quantity.
For those of us who have to travel to places like Idaho Falls and Pasco for work the Hyatt footprint has been and remains a huge issue. If that were not the case I'd love to switch.
Not complicated. Plan on getting Bonvoyed and you will never be disappointed. As a server explained to me in an Autograph property "Our hotel doesn't participate in that" See how simple and straightforward it is?
This is totally something that they should just standardize across Bonvoy.
I've been Titanium for the last 5-6 years and it's incredibly complicated for me amd everyone I know. The points are equal to the proce I pay for the hotel, the brands level, or the value of the F&B Credit or Breakfast Benefit. The F&B credits are very hard to use at many properties so ce they keep their cafes closed most of the day and the Grab & Go areas are often empty, have...
I've been Titanium for the last 5-6 years and it's incredibly complicated for me amd everyone I know. The points are equal to the proce I pay for the hotel, the brands level, or the value of the F&B Credit or Breakfast Benefit. The F&B credits are very hard to use at many properties so ce they keep their cafes closed most of the day and the Grab & Go areas are often empty, have expired items, or have nothing interesting to eat. Marriott is really starting to lose my loyalty.
You forgot a category that was very annoying during the last few years.
Hotels that you're entitled for breakfast but they don't serve anything, here's 1000 points.
Since I never went back to those properties, I really don't know if they are still doing it today.
Side note:
Will there be anyone coming to defend that F&B credits is better than breakfast? ;)
I think the keyword is guarantee.
F&B credit is definitely much better for me. If I'm staying in a hotel, I'm traveling alone for business and get reimbursed for meals anyway, so the breakfast credit is completely worthless to me. I might not want to put through a cocktail receipt from the bar though.
But obviously having both options is better overall, since we're not all in the same situation.
I'm surprised you don't call it out for what it is. It's an unnecessarily, ridiculously complex set of rules that even die-hard Marriott loyalists would fail to recite.
... which are almost guaranteed to deliver at least one unwelcome (v. surprise and delight) experience for those loyalists
The problem nowadays is, that some hotels (only happened to me in the USA) don't let you pick breakfast as the Welcome gift.
Last happened at the Aloft Ontario-Rancho Cucamonga. They just say, that they only offer points as the Welcome gift and don't offer breakfast. You could still pay for a breakfast there.
If you complain to Marriott about this, Marriott will just say it's up to the hotels, what they want to...
The problem nowadays is, that some hotels (only happened to me in the USA) don't let you pick breakfast as the Welcome gift.
Last happened at the Aloft Ontario-Rancho Cucamonga. They just say, that they only offer points as the Welcome gift and don't offer breakfast. You could still pay for a breakfast there.
If you complain to Marriott about this, Marriott will just say it's up to the hotels, what they want to offer and not the guest choice!
Very sad, what happened to Marriott's customer service.
Just crush the property in google map and tripadvisor with a negative review... they will pay it 10 times more as a result.
Soon I see this kind of review I know that I need to avoid the property definitively.
You can even see a divide between the "brands that offer members free elite breakfast" (legacy SPG brands and legacy Marriott brands if they are resorts) vs the "brands that offer members "elite food and beverage credit" (legacy Marriott brands).
But in the US there is still a sense of "you have to jump through hoops and twist arms to get your benefit even at a legacy SPG brand- my experience last year at the...
You can even see a divide between the "brands that offer members free elite breakfast" (legacy SPG brands and legacy Marriott brands if they are resorts) vs the "brands that offer members "elite food and beverage credit" (legacy Marriott brands).
But in the US there is still a sense of "you have to jump through hoops and twist arms to get your benefit even at a legacy SPG brand- my experience last year at the Sheraton Dallas the response shifted from "only the lounge is open for breakfast" to "the restaurant is open for buffet breakfast but only on weekends". And in order to get the vouchers I had to go downstairs to the front desk every day and show my photo ID.