Guide to Marriott elite breakfast benefits - The Points Guy (2024)

With over 30 hotel brands, Marriott is the largest hotel chain. Marriott Bonvoy's elite status comes with many perks, including complimentary breakfast for Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members. Though the breakfast benefit rules are far from simple, Marriott properties must provide this benefit to select elite members at eligible brands.

Unfortunately, things don't always go as they're supposed to, as Anthony at The Bulkhead Seat experienced at the recently-opened St. Regis Chicago. Thankfully, the property has since confirmed that it will honor this published perk, with a publicist sharing the following with TPG:

"The issue has been resolved and the property is offering eligible members the breakfast benefit."

This experience has demonstrated just how important it is to know the published benefits ahead of your stay, so today, we'll explore the breakfast allowances at each Marriott Bonvoy brand. Unfortunately, this can vary across Marriott's brands — and in some cases, even at different properties within a single brand.

Overview of breakfast Marriott Bonvoy breakfast benefits

Let's start with a quick table that summarizes what's offered at each Marriott brand.

There's a range of complimentary breakfast benefits that vary across Marriott brands. Factors such as the property's location and if there's a club lounge can influence the specific benefit offered. While most hotels within these brands will provide some form of breakfast, there may be exceptions. Also, Homes & Villas by Marriott International and Vistana properties generally do not offer breakfast options.

Let's dig into the nuances so you know what to expect for your next stay.

Related: How much are Marriott Bonvoy points worth 1 year after removing award charts?

Complimentary breakfast as a welcome amenity

Marriott Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members can choose a welcome amenity upon check-in at most participating hotels. For some brands, this welcome amenity includes a breakfast option. However, things get more complicated if there's a lounge where you're staying — which we'll cover in the next section.

The chart below details which brands include breakfast in the options and the compensation you're entitled to if the hotel doesn't provide this benefit.

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Occasionally, you may find that hotels default to points instead of breakfast. Make sure to inquire about the welcome gift if it isn't addressed at check in.

Related: Which hotel has the best free breakfast? TPG ate 10 meals to find the winner

Guaranteed lounge access

The other way to receive complimentary breakfast as a Platinum, Titanium or Ambassador Elite member is through access to a hotel's lounge. Take note of which brands (and properties) have lounges you can access.

The following brands guarantee lounge access to Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members:

• JW Marriott.
• Marriott Hotels.
• Sheraton.
• Delta Hotels.
• Le Meridien.
• Westin.
• Autograph Collection.
• Renaissance.
• Courtyard (only outside the U.S./Canada).

Here's the full scoop on lounge access. Note that many resorts are excluded from the lounge access benefit.

This list is much shorter, as not all brands consistently have lounges across their properties. You'll also notice the compensation isn't as generous here. However, even though Sheraton, Westin, and Le Meridien properties don't offer an alternative perk here when the lounge is closed, breakfast is offered in the restaurant as a welcome amenity option, guaranteeing guests are covered even if the lounge is not open during their stay.

Unfortunately, you can't get access to Ritz-Carlton clubs through Marriott status.

*As noted in the above chart, there's a list of specific properties in the U.S. that do not provide breakfast if the lounge is closed, instead offering 1,000 points. You can find this information in Section 4.3.c.iv.A. in the Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions, but here's the current list:

• 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, D.C.
• 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, D.C. Downtown Hotel.
• Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina.

Given that most of these are in larger cities, this may not be the biggest drawback, as there are likely better, local options nearby. However, it is worth noting if you visit one of these properties.

Related: The 11 hotel breakfasts we'd order for every meal if we could

Marriott brands with no breakfast benefit

Unfortunately, some of Marriott's most iconic brands are missing entirely from this list. The following brands don't offer any form of free daily breakfast, but we've included the welcome gift choice:

• The Ritz-Carlton (1,000 points per stay).
• Ritz-Carlton Reserve (1,000 points per stay).
• Edition (1,000 points per stay).
• Marriott Vacation Club (1,000 points per stay).
• Marriott Grand Residence Club (1,000 points per stay).
• Sheraton Vacation Club (1,000 points per stay).
• Westin Vacation Club (1,000 points per stay).
• Design Hotels (1,000 points per stay).
• Marriott Homes & Villas (1,000 points per stay).
• Gaylord Hotels (1,000 points or $10 food and beverage credit per stay).

Marriott brands with breakfast for all

Finally, several brands offer complimentary breakfast for all travelers, regardless of elite status. These properties include:

• SpringHill Suites.
• Fairfield by Marriott (except in Asia Pacific).
• Residence Inn.
• TownePlace Suites.
• Element.

Related: 5 ways to get your hotel breakfast for free

Flow chart for your next stay

Confused? You're not alone, as there are many layers of complexity to a seemingly simple benefit. To help, here's a set of questions to help you figure out what to expect with breakfast on your next stay:

Are you staying at a SpringHill, Fairfield, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites or Element?

• Yes: Stop here; every guest at these properties has breakfast included (except at Fairfield properties in Asia Pacific).
• No: Continue reading.

Are you staying at a Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Edition, Marriott/Sheraton/Westin Vacation Club, Marriott Grand Residence Club or Design property?

• Yes: Stop here; there's no breakfast benefit available to you at these properties.
• No: Continue reading.

Do you have no status, Silver status or Gold status in the Marriott Bonvoy program?

• Yes: Stop here; you don't have any formal breakfast benefit at any of the remaining brands.
• No: Continue reading.

Are you staying at a Gaylord property?

• Yes: You can select a $10 food and beverage credit per stay as your welcome amenity, but there's no other breakfast benefit.
• No: Continue reading.

Are you staying at a Courtyard, Four Points, Aloft, Protea, AC or Moxy property?

• Yes: Your welcome amenity choices will include either a daily food and beverage credit or breakfast in the restaurant.
• No: Continue reading.

Are you staying at a St. Regis, Luxury Collection, W, Sheraton, Le Meridien, Westin or Tribute Portfolio property?

• Yes: You can select complimentary breakfast as your welcome amenity.
• No: Continue reading.

Are you staying at a resort property under the JW Marriott, Marriott, Delta, Autograph Collection or Renaissance brands?

• Yes: You can select complimentary breakfast as your welcome amenity.
• No: Continue reading.

Are you staying at a non-resort property under one of these brands with an open club lounge?

• Yes: You'll enjoy access to the lounge for your stay.
• No: When a lounge at one of these properties is closed (or if there's no lounge at all), you should receive breakfast in the on-property restaurant for you plus one additional registered guest. Alternatively, you can select 750 bonus points per night.

Just remember that there are 19 specific locations in the U.S. (listed above) that don't offer complimentary breakfast when the lounge is closed; instead, you'll receive 1,000 points.

Get closer to Marriott elite status

If you're looking for a way to potentially receive breakfast on your next Marriott stay through Platinum Elite status, you're in luck. As a primary cardholder of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you'll automatically receive Platinum Elite status. The card also earns 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card in your first six months. You'll enjoy an array of added perks in exchange for a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Related: Free nights and easy status: Here's why I have 4 Marriott Bonvoy credit cards

Bottom line

The lack of consistency in Marriott's elite breakfast offerings undoubtedly leads to confusion. While breakfast is only one of many factors that goes into a good hotel experience, some may gravitate toward brands that consistently offer breakfast to Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members.

However, even that isn't a guarantee, so be sure to read up on what's provided ahead of your next Marriott stay. That way, you'll know what to expect — and can firmly insist on it if a property tries to skirt the published policies.

For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here.

Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen.