Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and higher elite members are eligible for complimentary lounge access or continental breakfast at most brands; few are excluded, such as Ritz-Carlton and Design Hotels.
A small list of hotels was excluded from this benefit even during the Marriott Rewards times. SPG had no exclusions outside of Design Hotels. These always appear to surprise many because they are not clearly identified except buried in the T&Cs.
You can access Marriott Bonvoy here
READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points And Miles Promotions
Here’s the relevant part of the Bonvoy T&Cs:
In the United States and Canada: When a Participating Property’s Lounge is closed, or property does not have a Lounge or approved alternative, the property will offer a daily continental breakfast in the restaurant for the Member plus one (1) guest, or Member can choose 750 Points per night of Stay. In Europe: Participating Properties without a Lounge or approved alternative offer daily breakfast in restaurant for Member plus one (1) guest, or Member can choose 750 Points per night of Stay. This benefit applies to the following brands (resort properties excluded): JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels, Autograph Collection, and Renaissance Hotels. This benefit is not applicable when breakfast is included in the rate or the brand offers an approved alternative as described above. The following properties in the United States do not provide free continental breakfast in the hotel restaurant in the event the Lounge is closed but do offer 1,000 Points in lieu of breakfast.
Excluded Properties
● The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection
● Boston Marriott Copley Place
● Boston Marriott Long Wharf
● Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
● JW Marriott Essex House New York City
● JW Marriott New Orleans
● JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square
● JW Marriott Washington, DC
● The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection
● Monterey Marriott
● New York Marriott Marquis®
● Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
● Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel
● Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
● Renaissance Los Angeles Airport Hotel
● Renaissance New York Hotel 57
● Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel
● Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel
● Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel
● Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Platinum and higher members to whom a complimentary hotel breakfast is important should book away from these hotels. All you get is 1,000 extra points per night (worth roughly $5) instead of breakfast for two that can go for $50+.
Guaranteed Elite Benefits
Marriott has reinstated Elite Member Benefit Guarantees.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Member Benefit Guarantees Reinstated January 11, 2021
Handy Cheat Sheet
Marriott Bonvoy has released (for properties) handy Elite Level Benefits At A Glance-cheat sheet.
Marriott Bonvoy Elite-Level Benefits At A Glance (Handy Cheat Sheet)
Conclusion
If you look at the list of the excluded hotels, they are big city ones likely full of, at least previously, business travelers, and they love nothing else more than to charge a ridiculous amount of money for the breakfast buffet (most profitable F&B operation).
Why would you give it for “free” when you can give $5 worth of points, and a large number of elite guests will go for the $50 breakfast, expensable for most?
Marriott Bonvoy T&Cs are way too convoluted with too many exclusion and ambiguities. They should simplify them to a third from the current length (should not be difficult) and make the benefits UNIVERSAL among all the brands and hotels.
