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Your guide to Marriott breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite and higher members
Katie Genter
Lead writer
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
Nov. 10, 2024
•
11 min read
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Editor's Note
This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
Some Marriott brands, such as SpringHill Suites and Residence Inn, offer complimentary breakfast to all guests as a brand amenity. For stays at most other Marriott brands, though, it's more complicated for Platinum Elite and higher members. They may get complimentary breakfast via lounge access or by selecting breakfast as an elite welcome gift at check-in.
I stay in Marriott hotels for about 90 days each year, yet I still frequently refer to the Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions to determine my breakfast benefits at each brand. I wanted an easier place to see the breakfast benefits available to Marriott members with Platinum Elite or higher status, so here's your ultimate source for Marriott elite breakfast benefits.
Marriott breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite and higher members
Marriott Bonvoy members with Platinum Elite or higher status have several ways in which they may get complimentary breakfast during their stays:
- Included breakfast for all guests
- Complimentary breakfast as an elite welcome gift
- Guaranteed lounge access
In the following sections, we'll discuss these options before providing a table summarizing your breakfast benefits at each Marriott brand.
Related: Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Marriott brands with breakfast for all guests
The simplest scenario occurs when you stay at one of the following brands that offer complimentary breakfast to all guests as a brand amenity:
- Element (except in Asia Pacific)
- Fairfield by Marriott (except in Asia Pacific)
- Residence Inn
- SpringHill Suites
- TownePlace Suites
Unfortunately, the two brands that offer complimentary breakfast for all guests except in Asia Pacific — Element and Fairfield — don't let Platinum Elite and higher members choose daily complimentary breakfast as an elite welcome gift. Instead, members can choose 500 Marriott points per stay or a food-and-beverage amenity per stay as their elite welcome gift when staying in Asia Pacific at these brands.
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Related: Which hotel has the best free breakfast? TPG ate 10 meals to find the winner
Daily breakfast as an elite welcome gift
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite and higher members can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for themselves and a guest as an elite welcome gift at the following brands:
- Aloft Hotels
- Autograph Collection Hotels (only resorts)
- City Express by Marriott (only City Centro locations)
- Delta Hotels (only resorts)
- Four Points by Sheraton
- Four Points Flex (only if the hotel has an open restaurant that a third party doesn't operate)
- JW Marriott (only at resorts)
- Le Meridien
- Marriott Hotels (only resorts)
- Protea Hotels
- Renaissance Hotels (only resorts)
- Sheraton
- St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
- The Luxury Collection
- Tribute Portfolio
- W Hotels
- Westin Hotels & Resorts
Of course, by selecting breakfast as an elite welcome gift, you usually forgo other options, such as bonus points or food-and-beverage credit. However, assuming you'll get value from breakfast, it's usually the best choice when it's available.
Related: How to get Marriott Bonvoy elite status for life
Marriott breakfast via lounge access
If you have Platinum Elite or higher status, you'll get lounge access for yourself and up to one guest staying in the same room during stays at the following brands:
- Autograph Collection (excluding resort properties)
- Courtyard by Marriott (only at properties outside the U.S. and Canada that have a lounge)
- Delta Hotels (excluding resort properties)
- JW Marriott (excluding resort properties)
- Le Meridien
- Marriott Hotels (excluding resort properties)
- Renaissance Hotels (excluding resort properties)
- Sheraton
- Westin Hotels & Resorts
If you have more than one guest in your room — including children — you may need to pay extra to bring these additional guests with you into the lounge.
This lounge access benefit for Platinum Elite and higher members is guaranteed for some stays, with alternates and compensation provided as follows:
| Brand | What happens when the lounge is closed or the property doesn't have a lounge (or an approved alternative)? | What compensation can you claim if a lounge isn't available and the property doesn't offer continental breakfast or a suitable alternative? |
|---|---|---|
| Autograph Collection, Delta Hotels, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels and Renaissance Hotels (all excluding resorts) | Properties in the U.S., Canada and Europe should offer the member a choice of daily breakfast (continental in the U.S. and Canada) in the restaurant for the member and a guest or 750 points per night.
Properties in other regions should offer continental breakfast or a continental breakfast alternative. | $100 |
| Courtyard by Marriott (properties outside the U.S. and Canada that have a lounge) | If the lounge is closed, the property should offer breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | None |
| Le Meridien, Sheraton and Westin Hotels & Resorts | Nothing (although you can select breakfast in the restaurant for yourself and a guest as an elite welcome gift). | None |
Finally, it's worth noting that the following properties offer 1,000 points instead of continental breakfast in the hotel restaurant when their lounge is closed through Dec. 31, 2024:
- Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
- JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square
- Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
- Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Related: How much value does Marriott Bonvoy status provide when you book directly?
Overview of Marriott elite breakfast benefits
If you're looking for a single source to explain Marriott breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite and higher members, bookmark this post so you can reference the following table:
| Brand | Is breakfast included for all guests? | Can you select breakfast as an elite welcome gift? | Do you get lounge access? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Hotels | No | No | No |
| Aloft Hotels | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | No |
| Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy | No | No | No |
| Autograph Collection | No | At resort properties, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, but this excludes resort properties. (See above section for what happens if the property doesn't have an open lounge.) |
| City Express by Marriott | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest at City Centro properties (not offered at other City Express properties). | No |
| Courtyard by Marriott | No | No | This is only at properties outside the U.S. and Canada with a lounge. (See above section for what happens when the lounge is closed.) |
| Delta Hotels | No | At resort properties, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, but this excludes resort properties. (See above section for what happens if the property doesn't have an open lounge.) |
| Design Hotels | No | No | No |
| Edition | No | No | No |
| Element | Yes, except in Asia Pacific | No | No |
| Fairfield by Marriott | Yes, except in Asia Pacific | No | No |
| Four Points by Sheraton | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | No |
| Four Points Flex (formally known as Four Points Express by Sheraton) | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest unless the property doesn't have a restaurant, the restaurant is closed or a third party operates the restaurant. | No |
| Gaylord Hotels | No | No | No |
| Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy | No | No | No |
| JW Marriott | No | At resort properties, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, but this excludes resort properties. (See above section for what happens if the property doesn't have an open lounge.) |
| Le Meridien | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, if the property has an open lounge. |
| Marriott Executive Apartments | No | No | No |
| Marriott Hotels | No | At resort properties, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, but excluding resort properties (see above section for what happens if the property doesn't have an open lounge). |
| Marriott Vacation Clubs | No | No | No |
| MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy | No | No | No |
| Moxy Hotels | No | No | No |
| Protea Hotels | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | No |
| Renaissance Hotels | No | At resort properties, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, but excluding resort properties (see above section for what happens if the property doesn't have an open lounge). |
| Residence Inn | Yes | No | No |
| Ritz-Carlton | No | No | No |
| Ritz-Carlton Reserve | No | No | No |
| Sheraton | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, this applies if the property has an open lounge. |
| SpringHill Suites | Yes | No | No |
| St. Regis Hotels & Resorts | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | No |
| The Luxury Collection | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | No |
| TownePlace Suites | Yes | No | No |
| Tribute Portfolio | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | No |
| W Hotels | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | No |
| Westin Hotels & Resorts | No | Yes, you can select daily breakfast in the restaurant for the member and a guest. | Yes, this applies if the property has an open lounge. |
Platinum Elite and higher members can sometimes select a food-and-beverage credit or amenity as an elite welcome gift at some brands. This credit or amenity is usually worth less than what breakfast would cost at the hotel. For example, I'll usually select a $10 food-and-beverage credit per night for my husband and me when staying at Moxy Hotels. This credit has never been enough to cover breakfast at a Moxy property, but it will usually cover a few beers each night at the lobby bar.
Related: Why this playful brand won the TPG Award for Best Affordable Hotel Brand
Bottom line
I wish Marriott Bonvoy would simplify its breakfast benefits for Platinum Elite and higher members. After all, members who stay that frequently shouldn't need to check a chart or the terms and conditions before each stay to determine whether they'll get complimentary breakfast.
However, given the current program and its benefits, I hope you find the above tables and lists useful. I'll reference them when booking hotel stays and before I reach the check-in desk.
If you're wondering how to earn Platinum Elite or higher status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, know the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers automatic Platinum Elite status as a cardmember benefit. But you can also earn elite night credits from other Marriott credit cards that may let you snag Platinum Elite or higher status even if you don't stay at Marriott brands frequently.
Related reading:
- Best Marriott hotels in the world
- The best Marriott beach hotels in the United States
- The best Marriott all-inclusive resorts for a perfect vacation
- Best Marriott credit cards
- Why I want this Marriott credit card — even though the annual fee is high
- Which credit card should you use for Marriott stays?
- Here's why you need both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card
Featured image by KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s 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.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.