Your cut-out-and-keep guide to the Marriott Bonvoy free breakfast benefit

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• JDB says:

  4 May4 May 05:03

  The Marriott breakfast situation does look a mess, but in general hotels have played this game quite cleverly as historically breakfast was generally included and, if not, wasn’t very expensive. Now, breakfast is mostly not included and ridiculously expensive (and rarely correspondingly good) so that people think they are getting a really good deal because it is magically included with some status, even if it has to be taken in some soulless lounge or restaurant and/or is rather pedestrian.

  We prefer to choose if we do or don’t have breakfast on the day or if we prefer to go out early because the sun is shining or would like to have breakfast in a more memorable location. It all seems to work for the hotels, as for many the lure of of ‘free’ breakfast booked months in advance seems to have a disproportionate influence on hotel/location choice.

  • Paul says:

    4 May4 May 07:12

    Not just Marriot! Hilton have utterly destroyed the proposition in the USA. My go to transit hotel at LAX was the Hilton LAX and I was back 2 weeks ago, and without researching the property post covid. I knew the breakfast option was a cash alternative but did not appreciate that they had closed the lounge. Indeed when I checked in and asked I was told it was on the 17th floor. So I went there the next morning to discover it is but only for evening drinks! Not much good when I was checking out at 11am!
    The cash alternative to the diamond breakfast is a measly $18, which bought a small egg bacon and processed cheese slice filled English muffin and undrinkable coffee. It was not enough to cover the bill plus tax and the ludicrous tipping culture of the USA. The stay was so dire that I cancelled my return stay two weeks later.

    I rebooked into the LAX holiday inn as an IHG diamond. The building is a bit run down, the rooms are huge, but the free breakfast was outstanding and perfect for a one night stay.

    The breakfast benefit is, for me, a big issue with one night stays. I don’t have to think to hard and I see it as a recognition of status. On a weekend city break or longer I’d agree that going where the wind takes you can enhance the experience.

  • Mikeact says:

    4 May4 May 07:39

    Totally agree, wherever possible we go out for breakfast locally, or if Airbnb we might do it ourselves before our day out.

  • jj says:

    4 May4 May 08:25

    Completely agree with @JDB. I don’t think that I have ever paid on the day for a hotel breakfast, as the quality is so rarely there and the price is invariably excessive.

    The latest way of prising money out of punters.in the USA is to present the bill for the full amount – $70 for two, for example – with an offsetting payment, space for a gratuity and a large statement that service is not included. At US tipping rates, the ‘free’ breakfast now costs $14 for two.

    • meta says:

      4 May4 May 09:09

      It again depends on the hotel and location. Europe and US quality is generally dire. In Asia, South America and Africa there are some luxury hotels where the setting is beautiful and breakfast a very civilised affair with some unique items that you would find in many local restaurants.

      This is why I never dismiss chain hotels and status while also combining them with independent hotels.

• JDB says:

  4 May4 May 05:07

  Also, currently staying in a hotel (in Tasmania, and in the middle of nowhere) that has ceased to offer breakfast at all. Guests and hotel happy with the decision.

  • Michael C says:

    4 May4 May 06:23

    Hope you’re having a goodie, @JDB – my brother lives in Aus. for years, and always said Tasmania would be where he’d live if he returned.

    • Ant says:

      4 May4 May 20:02

      I’m born and raised in Hobart – hope you’re having a great time!

• Tariq says:

  4 May4 May 06:33

  The only HFP article that I keep coming back to…

  Individual hotels may deviate from the rules too.in a positive way – I’ve been offered complimentary breakfast in some Courtyards rather than the $10 credit before.

  • meta says:

    4 May4 May 09:10

    Free breakfast for Plat and above at Ritz Carlton Kyoto.

    • meta says:

      4 May4 May 09:11

      And also many have significantly reduced rates for elites.

• BJ says:

  4 May4 May 06:57

  The very existence of this article only goes to show that benefits at Bonvoy are a shabby mess.

• josh says:

  4 May4 May 07:55

  Most Marriott, Sheraton, JW, and Renaissance in Europe (and Asia I believe from comments of friends)still offer an excellent free breakfast and great amenities to elite members. Frankly as a long time Titanium I am very pleased with Marriott. Hilton is also pretty good with breakfast in europe. The other loyalty programs are dismal so on a relative basis marriott stands out.

• Sandy says:

  4 May4 May 08:02

  Dollar credits generally can’t be consolidated so to use each credit you need to spend each day.

  • iSub says:

    4 May4 May 11:44

    +1
    I think this is important to highlight – I got caught out by this in the Moxy in Edinburgh, assuming that the three nights of credit would go towards the drinks bill with some friends one night. Having said that, I’ve had the Moxy in York (absolutely awesome staff there) and the Courtyard in Oxford bend the rules – but you cannot count on that. (I asked what the rule was, as I was genuinely not sure, and they told me but offered to bend the rules as a one off, which I hugely appreciated)

    • Rob says:

      4 May4 May 12:47

      Added in for Moxy and Courtyard

• Bumblebee says:

  4 May4 May 08:08

  Le Meriden in Dubai has always been generous. As a platinum member we check into free breakfast for 4 of us. High tea at 3. And cocktails and wine with snacks at 6/7.

  • The Streets says:

    4 May4 May 08:48

    We stayed there for a week and felt pretty much like all inclusive!

  • koshka says:

    5 May5 May 08:44

    Is this by the airport?

• Dave says:

  4 May4 May 08:12

  The $10 f&b credit at some brands (Moxy, Courtyard etc) is for member plus one guest per night. So $20 per couple per night.
  At brands where the $10 is per stay (Marriott, Delta etc) then only one person gets this.

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