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.
Any elite booking at any of these properties is either a complete idiot or someone whose stay is paid by someone else
Any elite booking at any of these properties is either a complete idiot or someone whose stay is paid by someone else
Hi Logic, I travel for work (travel doc) so yes i do pass on that cost to my employer as part of my contract. But, i did pay cash when i decided to spend a extra week with my girl friend in Bora Bora at the Conrad. Guess that makes me an idiot then?
Have been working mg tail off for a while, more since COVID. Knowing that there’s lifetime loyalty programs and that I’ll be platinum (just missed lifetime titanium with that short window), diamond, and perhaps also globalist when i’m eventually traveling less & just enjoying life seems pretty good to me. Free breakfast & room upgrades is a nice privilege.
Or avoid Marriott period…until they decide loyal customers hold value to the corporation.
When traveling, having to waste time looking for breakfast options is a big pian. i will not go to any Marriott that does t provide a breakfast options for Elites.
You would think under the circumstances, they would do more to attract or retain customers but they seem to be doing the opposite. I’ll be looking at Hyatt more closely as a Titanium member.
Why would Marriott even allow properties to opt out?
Well, let’s opt out of Marriott, then.
Btw. courtyard Marina del Rey also opts out of platinum breakfast, the front desk associates has no idea what that is
Courtyard hotels offer daily F&B credit of $10 for the members + up to one guest.
Instead of free breakfast, Courtyards, Moxys and AC Hotels offer a $10 per person (limit 2) food and beverage credit each day, and it doesn’t roll over. You should read the terms and conditions before criticizing an employee for something you do not know.
There are CYs in Asia that have lounges with usual benefits.
The rules outside the US are different for CY’s, read the T&C’s.
they would allow properties to opt out because they favor local property owners over daily hotel guests — and the CEO has stated this on the earnings call.
Because Courtyards don’t offer free breakfast, you get $10 F&B credit per person per night at CY’s. It’s in the T&C.
Unfortunate for marriott that they cannot ensure all properties follow a single guideline.
Same with Hilton these days by the way.
Need to put our money where our mouths are and book ONLY properties who appreciate loyalty.
I had a bad experience with Marriott Asia in Istanbul recently so they are on my black list. But the nearby Sheraton Atasehir and the Le Meridien Istanbul both take really good care of Titanium members in case anyone is travelling there.
Absolutely. We should not patronize hotels that don’t honor elite benefits. Period.
I agree completely!
Challenge is how to create a shared list we can all use?
Challenge is how to create a shared list we can all use?
Aren’t you referring to Hilton Kozyatagi?
I’ve stayed at Marriott Sisli a couple of time and it is pretty good for Elites.
Both Marriott Asia AND Hilton Kozyatagi are poor choices if you have top tier elite status.
Conrad Istanbul was very good for a Hilton by the way. and Doubletree Antalya also very good.
Both Marriott Asia AND Hilton Kozyatagi are poor choices if you have top tier elite status.
Conrad Istanbul was very good for a Hilton by the way. and Doubletree Antalya also very good.
There are always other options if you are a leisure traveler and time is not of the essence; meaning you don’t have a business meeting to get to. If I don’t get breakfast for whatever reason I try and find some place to eat nearby that is often cheaper and just as good if not better then some of the hotel offerings. When I was in Portland Oregon last fall, there were limited breakfast options at my hotel due to COVID. We found a breakfast place within walking distance and it was excellent. Ending up making a reservation and eating there every morning, place was packed and you had a long wait without a reservation. Very easy to do with the hotels in cities where there are many food options.
Cheapening and dumbing it down, blaming Covid-19, etc. ….. and does anyone really think when things get back to “normal” they will ever restore decent amenities ? Right, I didn’t think so.
I have stopped using my Marriott credit card because of all this nonsense. if they keep this up, next comes Hilton..
We just cancel the reservation at the Marriott Union Square.
Lifetime titanium. We are cutting back our Marriott stays by 75%.
They are trimming back of all services, blaming Covid… For closing their lounges while the bars and restaurants are open, cutting back breakfasts, keeping lounge is closed… It’s all such nonsense… And now they have FedEx charging up the Ying Yang for every package received. We just paid $300 to receive packages.
They are not loyal to their staff, and have laid off the people that would normally receive and deliver packages, from the bell desk. And instead are giving lucrative contracts to Federal Express. We charge as much or more for simply receiving packages as you spend on the hotel! And they’re not open during the weekend. And are only open from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays.
The strategy is “screw you” are you loyal customers. We are going to make as much money off of you as we can. But honestly there are four nicer hotels, much better service, and a much more friendly price.
I think Marriott is over playing their hand. It certainly is with us.
We stayed at Marriott Union Square mid July. There is buffet breakfast in the mornings and it’s a good spread and tasty. We were given complimentary breakfast cards for each day of stay. Hotel guests are charged $28pp
Lounge is not open though.
Am I the only one that caught expendable instead of expenseable?
That is either my typo or the software that we use changed it (it incorrectly flags the correct word).