Here are the details you need to know about the Marriott status levels and if it's worth it for you. COLOGNE MARRIOTT HOTEL $163 ($417) - Tripadvisor Shes a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University. While I (personally) had a subpar experience at this specific Ritz-Carlton, the St. Regis will always have the upper hand in my book due to the brand's superior elite benefits and recognition. Explore Titanium Not a member yet? How to earn: Stay at least 75 qualifying nights per calendar year. 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. Start with a base of yogurt, oatmeal or cereal, then add layers of granola, pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes and more. Is Marriott breakfast continental or full? How do you redeem your Marriott breakfast benefit? The execution of that is highly variable, though, with some hotels offering access to an amazing breakfast buffet without paying a dime, while other hotels offer a cup of coffee and a muffin. Let's dig into all of the nuances, so you know what to expect for your next stay. Not to be confused with the Annual Choice Benefit, this is an in-hotel gift offered when checking in. 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. Marriott throws a ton of extra perks into each status level. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. He is no longer funny. which are almost guaranteed to deliver at least one unwelcome (v. surprise and delight) experience for those loyalists. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Terms apply. Free breakfast has long been one of the top benefits of elite status while room upgrades, premium Wi-Fi and bonus points can certainly help move the needle as well, complimentary breakfast can offer significant savings, especially in destinations like The Maldives, where a morning meal can otherwise add tremendous cost. He went from studying abroad in Paris to moving to Shanghai after graduating college, where he covered all things travel in the Asia-Pacific region for TPG. Best benefits: All of the benefits of Platinum Elite status, plus A second Choice Benefit selection upon qualification and a 48-hour room guarantee. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, No annual fee: Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card, Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Luxury perks: The Platinum Card from American Express, Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, About the authors: Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Weekdays feature a continental buffet with fresh fruit, cereals, yogurts and more, as well as an a . Best benefits: Priority late checkout, member rates, a dedicated elite reservations line, complimentary in-room Internet. Platinum: 100% bonus multiplier. Gold Elite Exclusive Benefits 25 nights per year Spend more time doing what you love. The problem nowadays is, that some hotels (only happened to me in the USA) don't let you pick breakfast as the Welcome gift. Well do our best to upgrade your room upon arrival, subject to availability. JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels (excluding resorts). Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Elite status: Earning Hilton Honors Gold status with a $95 annual fee on the Hilton Amex Ascend is spectacular, while the complimentary, top-tier Diamond status on the Hilton Amex Aspire could be even more lucrative. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. The value of those points is something like $6, which wont get you a cup of coffee at the on-premise Starbucks that was open (funny how Covid wasnt a concern there and nothing could have been worked out between the Marriott Hotels consistently screw loyalists over in the US. How to get more flexible hotel check-in/out times, You want a travel credit card that prioritizes whats important to you. Marriott brands that offer all guests free breakfast, Marriott brands that dont offer free elite breakfast, Marriott brands that offer free elite breakfast, Marriott brands that offer elite food & beverage credit, How executive lounge access fits into this. Related: Your ultimate guide to Marriott hotel brands. The only real benefit is the bonus points earning benefit, which is still paltry at 10%. There are several brands where the exact benefit depends on things like the individual property's location and whether it has a lounge, among other factors. 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. There aren't any cards that offer automatic Platinum Elite or Titanium Elite status. Breakfast or a daily food and beverage . Related: 5 ways to get your hotel breakfast for free. Just like @travelinwilly, I also did so to Hyatt despite being Bonvoy LTT. Besides a " comedy or errors" of a stay, they too have cold buffet only. Marriott Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members can choose a welcome amenity upon check-in at most participating hotels. Significant for you, not an issue for me nor many others. 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. 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. Theres nothing in the Marriott Bonvoy terms indicating whether gratuity is included with elite breakfast perks. According to our analysis, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status has a value of $5,233 and costs $10,950 to earn. Theres an easier way. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is particularly delightful because it offers you automatic Platinum status, so you have higher tier benefits right off the bat, even if it's your first-ever Marriott stay. Get 75% more points, an additional Annual Choice Benefit, 48-Hour booking guarantee, and more. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Platinum Elite Status | Elevate Your Stays & Benefits | Marriott Bonvoy COLOGNE MARRIOTT HOTEL - Updated 2023 Reviews (Germany) - Tripadvisor For all the Bonvoy elite status tiers, benefits get increasingly better the higher you go. 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. Feels like I literally got "downgraded" in status. The first (50-night) benefit is your choice of: 40% off a Marriott bed (from their store). The only widespread exclusion is Ritz-Carlton club lounges, as you have to buy access to those. Photo courtesy of Marriott. To help you with this, we'll take a look at what each Marriott brand offers elites in terms of complimentary breakfast. 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. Outside the United States the breakfast benefit is often incredible, with access to a full buffet at no extra cost. 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. Cologne Marriott Hotel is located in Cologne, Germany's city center, just minutes walking distance from the train station and the Old Town. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. As a server explained to me in an Autograph property "Our hotel doesn't participate in that" See how simple and straightforward it is? It wasnt too tough to decide between $260 worth of breakfast or $7 worth of points. There are five elite levels guests can reach with the Marriott Bonvoy program: Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador. Renaissance Washington, D.C. It's an unnecessarily, ridiculously complex set of rules that even die-hard Marriott loyalists would fail to recite. Downtown Hotel. Use our app to check in and out, then use your phone as your room key. Seems silly to cause such bad will with lifetime customer over a few eggs. Marriott suspended elite guarantees due to the pandemic Shortly after the start of the pandemic, Marriott Bonvoy suspended its usual elite guarantees. Since I never went back to those properties, I really don't know if they are still doing it today. The following brands guarantee lounge access to Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members: However, Marriott doesn't guarantee lounge access at resort properties in the following brands: JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels, Autograph Collection and Renaissance Hotels. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year. Terms apply. Related: Ritz-Carlton: The Marriott hotel brand where elite benefits don't really apply. I might not want to put through a cocktail receipt from the bar though. I love traveling to Asia or the Middle East. Hot Take: A New Complimentary Hotel Breakfast - Marriott News Center 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Personally thats not my interpretation, and for that matter a vast majority of hotels Ive stayed at would be in violation of the rules if that were the case. Silver status for a friend or family member. No option even for a menu item. One benefit in particular has caused some confusion since the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program's launch: complimentary breakfast. And then theres the Mauna Kea in Hawaii: While you did get a basic continental breakfast, the upcharge from the continental option to the full buffet was way more than the $15 price difference between the continental and buffet breakfast options according to their menu. Bonus points earned on hotel purchases (including room rates and other incidental charges): 10%. Sheerly because of its massive size, holding Marriott elite status can be one of the most valuable types of elite statuses you can have. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. A Marriott spokesperson confirmed the change. It often means my breakfast wont be free, but at least Ill get what I actually want at a reasonable cost. Our partners compensate us. Previously, he managed the content and social media teams for NBC Sports in Portland for eight years. If youre an infrequent traveler, you might wonder whether its worth earning any hotel elite status at all. I've been Titanium for the last 5-6 years and it's incredibly complicated for me amd everyone I know. What Marriott brands offer free elite breakfast? 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). Likewise, Fairfield Osaka Namba doesn't offer breakfast to Titanium member. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. Join today. Was a highlight of the stay and made me return again and again. All of the benefits of Gold Elite status, plus 4 p.m. priority late checkout, and an in-hotel welcome gift of extra points, a breakfast offering at participating hotels or a welcome amenity. Both paid and award nights count toward this total, as long as you booked directly with Marriott. Learn more: NerdWallet's 2023 Best-Of Awards. 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. 500 points per stay or food and beverage amenity per stay or 7.48 ($10) food and beverage credit per night for member plus one guest. This is true of most hotel loyalty programs, but it can trip up travelers who are unaware. I value Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each, so to me 1,000 points are worth $7. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institutions Terms and Conditions. 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. Their lounge staff were fantastic back before the change. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Members have even caught some properties playing games with this benefit and not delivering what they're supposed to provide. Same here on both counts. Looking at the Marriott Bonvoy terms & conditions: Some take that to mean that you get a full, hot breakfast at hotels with a club lounge. Our opinions are our own. Learn more about compensation rates. The real value of a given status level depends on both the benefits it offers and how much it costs to earn. As View From the Wing reports, beginning on July 1, Marriott will require that eligible hotels once again provide breakfast to elite members they'll no longer be able to offer a food and beverage "credit" or other similar perk, instead. If youre a frequent business traveler considering Ambassador status, youll want to compare it to other high-end hotel elite levels. Otherwise, Marriott Bonvoy points expire if your account does not have any qualifying activity for 24 consecutive months. You spend an average of $150 per night on eligible items. includes 15 ENCs, which is enough to earn Silver status, but also gets you closer to earning higher status levels if you stay more. The art-filled JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort is a 15-minute stroll from Disneyland and next door to the Anaheim GardenWalk. 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. But since it also offers 25 ENCs, you're on a fast track to eventually earn Titanium or perhaps even Ambassador status. NerdWallet's . The Marriott Bonvoy umbrella covers 30 brands and over 7,000 hotels, making it one of the largest and most well-recognized rewards programs in the world. Marriott Bonvoy Gold vs. Platinum Elite Status Youll still be thanked for being a loyal Bonvoy customer when you check in and get all the associated perks (even if its your first stay). All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Check here before booking an award fare. Related: The 11 hotel breakfasts we'd order for every meal if we could. Achieve Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status after 75 nights. Get 10% More Points on Stays, Priority Late Checkout, Member Rates, Free Wi-Fi, & More. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. Just book direct on our websites or our app. Maybe this is the "new Bonvoy"? , Marriott Bonvoy Silver status has a value of $10 and costs $1,460 to earn. Find the right card for you. In almost all cases, selecting breakfast as your welcome amenity is the better value. 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Exclusive rates, earn points toward free nights, and more. ;) What are the actual rules? , Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status has a value of $5,233 and costs $10,950 to earn. Whether youre road-tripping or globetrotting, the suite life is always better. Sign In to your account The points are equal to the proce I pay for the hotel, the brands level, or the value of the F&B Credit or Breakfast Benefit. 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". Now it seems to be a "continental" breakfast that is either only the "cold" side As a Titanium elite lifetime member, it seems the longtime benefit of breakfast, which I have enjoyed and kept me choosing Marriott time and time again is no longer. Offer ends 5/3/23. But remember it can be obtained hassle-free via getting a credit card instead of spending nearly a month in Marriott hotels. Marriott Vacation Club (1,000 points per stay). Guide To Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Elite Status, Marriott Bonvoy Member Redeems 2.6 Million Points Now Hotel Wants $17K. Sign up today for free. 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. Learn more: How to get more flexible hotel check-in/out times. So how do we make money? I dont know why this has to be so complicated, but I suspect its a combination of the merger between Marriott and Starwood, plus corporate generally trying to please hotel owners. But do you have 24 hrs to use it? See terms and conditions for details. If the lounge is closed, members will receive breakfast in the restaurant. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Plan on getting Bonvoyed and you will never be disappointed. Bonus points earned on hotel purchases (including room rates and other incidental charges): 50%. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Gym and pool at the Newport Marriott hotel. Get inspiration and plan your next getaway. Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Certain hotels have resort fees. Guide to Marriott elite breakfast benefits - The Points Guy Super-dedicated travelers (and extreme Bonvoy loyalists) can earn lifetime status, too. St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Sheraton, Le Mridien, Westin, Tribute Portfolio. Hyatt is amazing. Sam Kemmis is a travel rewards expert at NerdWallet specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Her work has been featured in AwardWallet. 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. 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. Your complete guide to earning Marriott Bonvoy points, Marriott Annual Choice Benefits, explained. The F&B credits are very hard to use at many properties so ce they keep their cafes closed most of the day and the Grab & Go areas are often empty, have expired items, or have nothing interesting to eat. But the cards below can get you closer to the next level of status because each offers 15 elite night credits per year. In addition, it's worth noting that for properties offering a $10 daily food and beverage credit (many Courtyards plus AC Hotels and Moxy), this is $10 for the member and another $10 for one additional guest staying in the same room. Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. 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. 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. 2x points on all other eligible purchases. Very sad, what happened to Marriott's customer service. 500 points per stay or restaurant breakfast per night of stay for member plus one guest. Marriott Bonvoy has the most complicated elite breakfast benefit. In this post I wanted to explain Marriott Bonvoys breakfast benefit as simply as possible, because theres a lot to understand. Here is a list of our partners. But obviously having both options is better overall, since we're not all in the same situation. While these hotels require you to select breakfast as your welcome amenity (instead of points), I've gotten lucky at a few St. Regis and W hotels recently and have been offered welcome points in addition to complimentary breakfast. Certain hotels have resort fees. How Much Are Marriott Bonvoy Points Worth? Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. A second selection of the following is offered to Titanium Elites: 5 suite night awards, 1 free award night (valid at properties requiring up to 40,000 points/night), the gift of Gold Elite status, 40% off of your favorite hotel brand bed, 5 elite night credits, or a $100 charity donation. Well do our best to upgrade your room, based on availability upon arrival. Whoever thought that one would need a PhD in Marriott breakfasts? On the other hand, your $10 food and beverage credit at many Courtyard properties might only get you a coffee and a pastry. Learn More, During your stay at any of our participating hotels, instantly redeem points for cocktails, meals, spa experiences and more anything you can charge to your hotel room. 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. You can find this information in Section 4.3.c.iv.A. Senior Writer | Travel rewards, point and mile valuation, data analysis. Why do they even call themselves a Marriott? One of the reasons I prefer them over the Marriott "luxury" brands that don't offer any breakfast. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. This mainly seems to be an American problem, however, as Marriotts in Europe and Asia always seem to place customer satisfaction first in my experience (offering their top of the line breakfast buffet, even for a third guest in the room, etc.) However, it is worth noting if you visit one of these properties and had been expecting a complimentary breakfast. 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: Now 163 on Tripadvisor: Cologne Marriott Hotel, Cologne. Read more. But even before the pandemic, places like the Westin Jersey City offered breakfast credits but charged so much for plain coffee (I believe it was $6-8) that you couldnt order almost anything else without having to pay extra. Lead Writer | Airline miles, hotel points, travel insurance. Generally speaking, Marriotts breakfast benefit applies for the elite member plus one additional guest. Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Benefits. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). They just say, that they only offer points as the Welcome gift and don't offer breakfast. Celebrate with a gift of 250 or 500 bonus points (varies by brand) when you arrive for your stay. Do not sell or share my personal information. Its important to note that the status offered through the Marriott co-branded cards usually comes in the form of. 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! Thats because sometimes policies differ depending on whether a property is in the United States or abroad, whether a property is categorized as a hotel or resort, whether a property has a club lounge or not, etc. Marriott brands that offer all guests free breakfast The following Marriott brands offer all guests complimentary breakfast: Element Fairfield Inn & Suites Residence Inn SpringHill Suites TownePlace Suites As you can see, there are no incremental breakfast perks at these properties for elite members, since everyone gets breakfast. To help, here's a simple set of questions to help you figure out what to expect with breakfast on your next stay: What does all of this mean in practice? Read more. Several credit cards, including Marriott's own branded cards, provide complimentary elite status. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. 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