One knock against
the Marriott breakfast benefit is that it's pretty confusing.
Not exact matches
If you stay at hotels even a few nights a year, these
benefits can be extremely valuable — especially considering
Marriott gold status comes with free
breakfast for two in the hotel's executive lounge or, if there isn't a lounge, its restaurant.
I like that that the
benefits for
Marriott Gold Elite Status are solid with complimentary
breakfasts, lounge access, upgrades, and late check out.
I ruled out option 3 because I get good, tangible,
benefits when I stay at
Marriott properties — free
breakfast for 2 (full
breakfast), room upgrades, free high - speed WiFi and lounge access — and the cash cost of
breakfast and WiFi at other hotels would mostly nullify any savings on the room rate.
My
Marriott Rewards Platinum status doesn't give me either of the first two
benefits (but I do get free
breakfast) and it also doesn't give me anything that I need that Hyatt doesn't — so that makes it very tempting to put a lot more stays Hyatt's way.
If you hit SPG Platinum you'll be given
Marriott Platinum status that comes with many of the same
benefits as SPG Platinum like complimentary
breakfasts, lounge access, better upgrades (which include suites), etc..
In the
Marriott Rewards program, an upgrade (not guaranteed, of course),
breakfast and lounge access are stated
benefits.
On
Marriott stays, I've been able to still receive
Marriott Platinum Elite
benefits like free
breakfasts, free internet, lounge access, upgrades to suites, and late check out.
This is a pheromonal
benefit because SPG Platinum
benefits are arguably better than
Marriott's when it comes to
breakfasts and upgrades so this opens up more options for you.
Marriott Platinums will be able to use their status at Starwood properties — and receive
benefits they haven't had before, like suite upgrades (if a standard suite is available at check - in the Platinum is entitled to it, it's not strictly the result of a property's beneficence) and
breakfast at resorts.
The
Marriott Gold
benefits of complimentary
breakfast and lounge access do not apply to Ritz Carlton properties.
But,
Marriott Rewards Gold Elite status can save you money with the lounge access /
breakfast benefit *.
United elites will also
benefit from special
benefits and elite status with
Marriott as well; United Gold Premiers and above get automatic
Marriott Gold Elite status, which offers club access, free
breakfast, late checkout and more.