Marriott Bonvoy is a minefield when it comes to Platinum and higher member complimentary breakfast that is often dependent on the brand (legacy Marriott versus Starwood), hotel type (regular versus resort), and location (in some markets, Fairfield provides complimentary breakfast while others they do not).
There is a little-known exclusion that applies to 19 legacy Marriott hotels in the US that are NOT required to provide restaurant breakfast in the case their lounge is closed. I noted (read more here) that the recent T&Cs update stated that this exclusion is in place until December 31, 2023.
You can access Marriott here.
READ MORE: Marriott Bonvoy Rate & Bonus Points Offers
The relevant part of the 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. Through December 31, 2023, 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. These properties include:
I have highlighted the relevant part. This Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador breakfast benefit exclusion is not disclosed anywhere else than on the loyalty program T&Cs that nobody reads (simply too long).
These 19 hotels are not required to provide complimentary breakfast for a member + 1 in case the lounge is closed and only need to offer 1,000 points (worth $6 to $8).
And the list of hotels:
- 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 Midtown Hotel
- Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel
- Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel
- Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
So, we have contacted Marriott to find out if this exclusion expires at the end of this year, as the recent T&Cs update suggests. We have been told that it expires on JUNE 30, 2024.
Conclusion
I am a huge proponent of Marriott streamlining its elite breakfast benefit to match Hyatt’s or IHG’s, which is included at all properties, no questions asked.
I wish, however, that they wouldn’t, at some point, adopt Hilton’s F&B credit, which is in place in the US and some Canadian markets. Under this system, you only get a small daily credit that usually won’t cover more than a muffin and coffee.
It is great IF this 19 hotel exclusion disappears in 2024 because although it is just 19 hotels, these are prominent properties in terms of the number of rooms, close to 2,000 at the Marriott Marquis NYC alone. Many members are still not aware that they don’t necessarily get their usual breakfast benefit at them.
