The other way to receive complimentary breakfast as a Platinum Elite or Titanium Elite member is through access to a hotel's lounge. If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion directly. For example, in my experience, complimentary breakfast at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island meant a massive buffet spread in the hotel's main restaurant. Related: The 11 hotel breakfasts we'd order for every meal if we could. According to NerdWallet's comprehensive analysis of hotel elite status, Marriott Gold status lags behind the competition in terms of value provided by a mid-tier hotel elite status. @ben would be interesting to see how many folks the past few years now jumped ship from Marriott. Most properties offer 500 points, but these brands only offer 250: Courtyard, Four Points, SpringHill Suites, Protea Hotels, Fairfield, AC Hotels, Aloft, Moxy, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites and Element hotels. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. In a previous professional life, he wrote comedy until a nomadic lifestyle and a lifelong obsession with saving money turned his attention to travel rewards. But remember it can be obtained hassle-free via getting a credit card instead of spending nearly a month in Marriott hotels. St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Sheraton, Le Mridien, Westin, Tribute Portfolio. I used to love staying at the JW Marriott in Honolulu--breakfast buffet was great, restaurant across from the beach, servers very welcoming. The only widespread exclusion is Ritz-Carlton club lounges, as you have to buy access to those. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Quality >>> Quantity. Marriott is really starting to lose my loyalty. Here are some of the best Marriott credit cards to consider: Related: Free nights and easy status: Here's why I have 4 Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. When I pay for a full service hotel at a chain Ive spent thousands of dollars with and who entice me to come back again and again by offering benefits, then I don't want there to always a catch. To make this as simple as possible, Ill put Marriotts brands into one of four categories: Before we get into this, a few more things to note: With that out of the way, lets get into it. Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Perfect for your next weekend getaway to Cologne, Germany! 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Taking this into account, you can find an elite earning rate, which is effectively the return in value based on the spending required. I've been Titanium for the last 5-6 years and it's incredibly complicated for me amd everyone I know. For every hotel trying to skimp on breakfast benefits, it's nice to remember that some are going above and beyond to treat elite members well, like the St. Regis New York. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. He is no longer funny. So disappointing. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. In this post I wanted to explain Marriott Bonvoys breakfast benefit as simply as possible, because theres a lot to understand. See 2,206 traveller reviews, 1,245 candid photos, and great deals for Cologne Marriott Hotel, ranked #24 of 292 hotels in Cologne and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Your ultimate guide to Marriott hotel brands, Marriott Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite, 5 ways to get your hotel breakfast for free, hotel trying to skimp on breakfast benefits, Aloha to free: Where the Marriott Platinum Elite breakfast perk is done right, How to get some of the world's most expensive hotel buffet breakfasts for free, The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection, The 11 hotel breakfasts we'd order for every meal if we could, Breakfast recently got better at 3,000 Marriott hotels in the US, Ritz-Carlton: The Marriott hotel brand where elite benefits don't really apply, Get free breakfast, upgrades and more with the Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts program, Free nights and easy status: Here's why I have 4 Marriott Bonvoy credit cards, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. No option even for a menu item. 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Learn More, Getting away is easier and more affordable with PointSavers. Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador members receive a choice of: Points (at the same rate as Gold member). Sign up today for free. Breakfast in bed Elite perks for whenever you achieve . Gold Elite Exclusive Benefits 25 nights per year Spend more time doing what you love. It seems like there are some harmonization opportunities, though. Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe. Courtyard (only outside the U.S./Canada). If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. There are two ways to earn Bonvoy status: by staying at Marriott properties and collecting enough eligible nights, or by holding a Marriott credit card. Earn 25% more points than Members on every eligible hotel purchase, including on room rate and other incidentals that can be charged to your room, such as dining and spa. I used to experience either breakfast in the lounge when they had one, or in the restaurant which always included the full buffet or choice of any menu item and coffee/tea/juice. This is essentially a personal travel concierge who can help plan your stay and organize activities. 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. According to our analysis, Marriott Bonvoy Gold status has a value of $126 and costs $3,650 to earn. How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2023? Gaylord Hotels (1,000 points or $10 food and beverage credit per stay). . Members earn a base rate of 10 points for every dollar spent during qualified stays, and award nights are based on a chart with nine tiers ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 points per night. Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. The real value of a given status level depends on both the benefits it offers and how much it costs to earn. Bonus points earned on hotel purchases (including room rates and other incidental charges): Priority late checkout, member rates, a dedicated elite reservations line, complimentary in-room Internet. You forgot a category that was very annoying during the last few years. Marriott Bonvoys Complicated Elite Breakfast Benefit Explained, Why Marriott Bonvoys breakfast benefit is complicated. They make sure you understand that your status means nothing as they will spell out that you will get no breakfast, early check in, late check out or room upgrades. Stay 10 Nights in a Year to Unlock Silver Elite Status With Marriott Bonvoy. As a result, traveling as a couple to these locations would get you $20 per day toward breakfast (or another meal if you so choose). For all the Bonvoy elite status tiers, benefits get increasingly better the higher you go. However, as you can see, you can still select restaurant breakfast as your welcome amenity, if youre in a situation where youd prefer to dine in the restaurant rather than in the lounge (since the selection is sometimes superior). Votes. The chart below details which brands include breakfast in the options and the compensation to which you're entitled if the hotel doesn't provide this benefit. At Bonvoys highest level, Ambassador elites receive two valuable perks. Gym and pool at the Newport Marriott hotel. The Business Platinum Card from American Express. Since I never went back to those properties, I really don't know if they are still doing it today. As a Hilton Gold elite, you'll have access to the following benefits: 80% elite status bonus: Receive an 80% bonus on all the Hilton Honors base points you earn on stays. Best benefits: Priority late checkout, member rates, a dedicated elite reservations line, complimentary in-room Internet. offer Gold status not in the form of ENCs, so it is more difficult to earn a higher status level through these cards. The hot buffet is just some eggs, meat, potatoes and oatmeal. As much as every blogger trying to push to this chain, I just can't find a Hyatt everywhere I needed to go. I just avoid Marriott properties these days altogether if I can; they ruined Starwood and I find that Hyatt (my favorite point-granting chain) and Hilton suit me fine, but I do know a LOT of Marriott fangirls and fanboys. You spend an average of $150 per night on eligible items. Basically, Platinum elites earn a choose-your-own adventure benefit when they reach 50 stays. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Related: Aloha to free: Where the Marriott Platinum Elite breakfast perk is done right. Seems silly to cause such bad will with lifetime customer over a few eggs. Hong Kong is one of the few cities where I don't mind passing up on free hotel breakfast I'd much rather enjoy some dim sum. Many properties in the Marriott Bonvoy program may not offer complimentary breakfast but still provide a phenomenal experience. Silver status for a friend or family member. In almost all cases, selecting breakfast as your welcome amenity is the better value. But in the US there is still a sense of "you have to jump through hoops and twist arms to get your benefit even at a legacy SPG brand- my experience last year at the Sheraton Dallas the response shifted from "only the lounge is open for breakfast" to "the restaurant is open for buffet breakfast but only on weekends". I actually cant remember the last time I stayed at a Marriott property in the United States and could order what I wanted for breakfast without it costing me anything out of pocket. How does the Marriott Bonvoy breakfast benefit compare to what competitors offer? A Marriott spokesperson confirmed the change. They do not include stays booked through third-party online travel agencies like. How much is Marriott Titanium status worth? NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Whether youre a business traveler looking to earn lifetime status, an infrequent traveler curious about the perks of elite status or want to maximize the elite benefits provided by Marriotts credit cards, here's everything you need to know about earning and flexing Marriott Bonvoy elite status. No alternative when the lounge is closed. Read more, Elina Geller is a Lead Travel Writer at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. We've seen countless stories of hotels playing games with elite breakfast. While breakfast is only one of many factors that goes into a good hotel experience, I personally find myself gravitating toward brands like St. Regis that go above and beyond to recognize Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members. At the hotel, elites at this level get lounge access, as well as a guaranteed room type, along with enhanced room upgrades including select suites at check-in if available. Ironically I had a trade show in Seattle at Hyatt and stayed there and MOVED to Westin after and am so regretting it. However, it is worth noting if you visit one of these properties and had been expecting a complimentary breakfast. , Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status has a value of $5,233 and costs $10,950 to earn. If you complain to Marriott about this, Marriott will just say it's up to the hotels, what they want to offer and not the guest choice! If youre staying at a property like a Marriott or Sheraton, youll automatically receive executive lounge access, and you dont need to select that as your welcome amenity. Here's a chart with those details (as well as compensation if the property doesn't offer this perk): This list is much shorter because many brands don't have lounges or don't have them consistently at all properties. Enjoy our fastest Internet connection absolutely free. Once thats selected, the front desk associate should explain the process for actually using the breakfast benefit. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card allows you to earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card provides automatic Gold Elite status Platinum Elite status normally requires 50 nights, but there are a few ways to earn this status through credit cards: The Ritz-Carlton (1,000 points per stay). The Platinum Card from American Express. His favorite travel destinations are Las Vegas and the beaches of Mexico. Marriott Vacation Club (1,000 points per stay), Marriott Grand Residence Club (1,000 points per stay), Gaylord Hotels (1,000 points or $10 food and beverage credit per stay), 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping, 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases, Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points), Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status, Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. In the United States its a different story, and more often than not, I find one of the following to be the case: I obviously prefer the latter method. No, aside from hotels that offer all guests free breakfast, there are no incremental elite breakfast perks for Silver and Gold members. Marriott suspended elite guarantees due to the pandemic Shortly after the start of the pandemic, Marriott Bonvoy suspended its usual elite guarantees. It's worth noting that the compensation requirements are much weaker here. Despite Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest's unification occurring years ago, you'll see legacy SPG brands often offering more perks to elites. to make sure you have a great stay. Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. They just say, that they only offer points as the Welcome gift and don't offer breakfast. Marriott Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members can choose a welcome amenity upon check-in at most participating hotels. Let's say that a Platinum Elite or Titanium Elite member was planning a trip to Shanghai and trying to decide between the Portman Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis Jingan, two Category 5 hotels barely a kilometer apart. Get 25% More Points Earn 25% more points on every eligible hotel purchase, including room rate and other incidentals that can be charged to your room, such as dining and spa. How consistent is Marriotts elite breakfast benefit? So we definitely wouldnt suggest shifting your travel plans just to earn that 10th night. However, the execution is different with every loyalty program, and for that matter youll even find quite a bit of variance within a particular loyalty program. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. Still, Sheraton, Westin and Le Mridien properties offer breakfast in the restaurant as a welcome amenity, so you're covered even if the lounge isn't open during your stay. I like being able to use my Suite Night Awards at St. Regis hotels (you can't use them at Ritz-Carlton), and Platinum Elite members aren't eligible for suite upgrades at Ritz-Carlton hotels either (only Titanium Elite members are). Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Of course, you can only hold them accountable if you know what your elite status entitles you to receive. As a server explained to me in an Autograph property "Our hotel doesn't participate in that" See how simple and straightforward it is? The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express offer Gold status not in the form of ENCs, so it is more difficult to earn a higher status level through these cards. Over the course of my five night stay, that $52 credit adds up to $260. Learn more: Why I love the Marriott Bonvoy program. Earn Marriott status through eligible nights, Important: Qualifying Nights are those booked directly through Marriott.com or most corporate travel services. . If you want to feel like you're sleeping in a Marriott even at home, you can select a 40% off coupon for a Marriott mattress as your Annual Choice Benefit. Elevate your stay even more with Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status after 50 nights. Marriott Hotels consistently screw loyalists over in the US. Just crush the property in google map and tripadvisor with a negative review they will pay it 10 times more as a result. It's not limited to breakfast, either. Will be moving my business more to Hyatt, with breakfast being a huge factor. We've updated this post with current examples and information. Meanwhile the 1,000 point welcome amenity is offered once per stay. The first (50-night) benefit is your choice of: 40% off a Marriott bed (from their store). It wasnt too tough to decide between $260 worth of breakfast or $7 worth of points. Marriott Bonvoy has five elite status tiers: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium and . Keep in mind that the value you get from elite status will depend on many factors, including how much you use it (by staying at Marriott properties) and how much you take advantage of the perks, such as free breakfast and upgrade certificates. Its important to note that the status offered through the Marriott co-branded cards usually comes in the form of. It depends who you ask. It's uninspiring, especially the view out and the cheap loungers, but it kept the kids occupied. Heres a breakdown of what status comes with each personal card (You can get an additional 15 ENCs by holding the, Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card, 15 Elite Night Credits (Enough for Silver status), 25 Elite Night Credits (Enough for Platinum status). For much of the pandemic, however, Marriott has allowed hotels in the U.S. to opt out of providing a full breakfast many properties recognized that the perk incentivizes bookings, and continued to offer it, as I most recently experienced on a trip to Florida. (and if successful, I'd expect W's to be next?). Explore Titanium Not a member yet? Certain hotels have resort fees. @Ben NerdWallet's . Learn more: Which Marriott annual choice benefit should you choose? is Editor-at-Large at TPG, with contributions ranging from articles digging deep on loyalty programs and credit cards to delivery flight coverage to drone photography and much more. Apparently it is so complex that you don't describe it correctly. Learn more about compensation rates. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. To determine the value of Marriott Bonvoy status (and compare them to other hotel programs), we performed a comprehensive analysis of the perks offered at each elite level. And while our site doesnt feature every company or financial product available on the market, were proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward and free. But since it also offers 25 ENCs, you're on a fast track to eventually earn Titanium or perhaps even Ambassador status. Best benefits: All of the benefits of Silver Elite status, plus 2 p.m. priority late checkout based on availability, in-hotel welcome gift of extra points and enhanced room upgrade based on availability. How much is Marriott Platinum status worth? in the Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions, but here's the current list: Given that most of these are in larger cities, this may not be the biggest drawback, as there are likely better, local options nearby. Stay at least 75 qualifying nights per calendar year. Marriott is just a poor service company kowtowing to hotel owners at this point. Achieve Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status after 75 nights. The art-filled JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort is a 15-minute stroll from Disneyland and next door to the Anaheim GardenWalk.