Starwood Preferred Guest - Why do Plats expect free breakfast?

I've seen in several posts where some plats will express dismay and frustration when they do not receive free breakfast, or reply in threads with shock and amazement when they see other plats have not received free breakfast at a hotel. Most recent example (although there are many) was in the Westin Palace Madrid thread where a poster was questioning why the breakfast buffet in the domed atrium was not comp for plats.

Is this a published or unpublished, but standard, benefit for platinums that I was unaware of? I'm a 100+ night a year plat for the past three years and can count the number of times I've gotten a comped breakfast on one hand. I've read that this is sometimes offered when a club lounge is closed on the weekends, but I rarely stay at hotels with club lounges.

So what's the deal? Should I be asking for my free breakfast coupons or do I normally stay at hotels that are in the minority with this policy?

Edited to change tone a bit.

In hotels with "Club Lounges" (most notably Sheraton), breakfast is served in those lounges. More often than not, PLAT members have automatic access to these lounges. Some hotels without club lounges offer breakfast coupons for PLAt members (e.g. Sheraton Cerritos). While the breakfasts are not (AFAIK) a published, system-wide PLAT benefit, I will admit to being one of the people asking about it at check-in. I do not demand it, mind you, but it never hurts to ask.

So what's the deal? Should I be demanding my free breakfast coupons or do I normally stay at hotels that are in the minority with this policy?
So in response to your question - I suppose that you should be asking, as blue2002pointed out, but it probably depends on how often you frequent their hotel. I’ve gotten to the point at a few properties where some of the managers and staff recognize me when I check in, but I’ve never thought to ask for a comped meal. This is mostly due to the fact that all of the SPG hotels in the area that I am staying (like, Ft Lauderdale, for example), none of which have a club lounge. Perhaps I should start asking too. Thanks for the input! ^

I've seen in several posts where some plats will express dismay and frustration when they do not receive free breakfast, or reply in threads with shock and amazement when they see other plats have not received free breakfast at a hotel. Most recent example was in the Westin Palace Madrid thread where a poster was questioning why the breakfast buffet in the domed atrium was not comp for plats.

Is this a published or unpublished, but standard, benefit for platinums that I was unaware of? I'm a 100+ night a year plat for the past three years and can count the number of times I've gotten a comped breakfast on one hand...and I've probably only stayed at a hotel with a club or executive lounge 15 or so times on top of that.

So what's the deal? Should I be demanding my free breakfast coupons or do I normally stay at hotels that are in the minority with this policy?


Since I'm the one that asked about the Westin Madrid....I just asked because at some international Starwood's, they give platinums free breakfast coupons when you check in. Since the Sheraton's have club lounges, as well as some of the newer Westin's in the U.S., Starwood has made a push for the nice intl. hotels to offer the same. Since most do not have club lounges (and that's what I mean by free breakfast...just the muffins, fruit...etc. at the lounge), I've been to a few places that just give coupons for free breakfast.

Since most do not have club lounges (and that's what I mean by free breakfast...just the muffins, fruit...etc. at the lounge), I've been to a few places that just give coupons for free breakfast.
Give without asking . . . or did you specifically have to request a coupon? :confused:

Give without asking . . . or did you specifically have to request a coupon? :confused:

Given to you without asking when you check in. The Sheraton (now a 4 points) on Cape Cod used to do this (just one example). It was a great perk (especially since the hotel was NOT of Sheraton quality), but now that they've been bumped down to 4 points, they no longer offer it.

I don't expect free breakfast as it's not a stated benefit of SPG Platinum status.

But I do often get offered free breakfast as a Platinum. Some of the properties where I've been handed comp breakfast coupons (usually that have "Platinum" printed right on them) in the past are:

Sheraton Manhattan (maybe the New York Towers too?)
Sheraton Anaheim, California
Sheraton Suites Fairplex Pomona, California
Sheraton North Houston at Intercontinental Airport
Four Points LAX

...and many others (I'm just drawing blanks right now ;))

Often they are given without asking. Just part of the hotel's own recognition policy.

I'm not a big breakfast person so I usually decline them or just don't use them. But if I think I might want breakfast and it hasn't already been offered at check-in, I usually ask if that might be a Platinum benefit and I'm often given free breakfast chits (sometimes after they "dig around" for some) even though it may not even be a "regular" policy at that hotel.

And as already mentioned, if the property has a Club Lounge that serves breakfast, I'm offered that as part of the standard upgrade policy.

I think one of the reasons you see folks here in the Starwood forum complain about not getting breakfast, isn't that they think they are entitled to it. It's because they are (sometimes without outright stating it) actually comparing Starwood's lack of this benefit, to Hilton HHonors guaranteed free breakfast policy for their Golds and Diamonds.

The only two European hotels I have been to that have free breakfast are Moscow and Munich.

No in Venice, Florence, Rome, London, Paris. The cost of breakfast in these hotels tends to be $50+.

I usually ask if my rate/award includes breakfast.

when i read the title of your thread, the first answer i thought of was: "because we get hungry." :cool:

The only two European hotels I have been to that have free breakfast are Moscow and Munich.

No in Venice, Florence, Rome, London, Paris. The cost of breakfast in these hotels tends to be $50+.


Nor in Athens.

Given to you without asking when you check in...
Thanks moulder3! :)
Do any Westins (that you know of) offer a free breakfast? Or is this simply a Sheraton response to a particular property not having a club lounge?

Actually, in the "before time" of Westin Gold - we did get a free continental breakfast (in the dining room or room service), which was later changed to an $8 daily credit. So those of us coming from that program had become accustomed to same.

...I never wake up early enough for breakfast anyways... :D

I've seen in several posts where some plats will express dismay and frustration when they do not receive free breakfast, or reply in threads with shock and amazement when they see other plats have not received free breakfast at a hotel. Most recent example (although there are many) was in the Westin Palace Madrid thread where a poster was questioning why the breakfast buffet in the domed atrium was not comp for plats.

Is this a published or unpublished, but standard, benefit for platinums that I was unaware of? I'm a 100+ night a year plat for the past three years and can count the number of times I've gotten a comped breakfast on one hand. I've read that this is sometimes offered when a club lounge is closed on the weekends, but I rarely stay at hotels with club lounges.

So what's the deal? Should I be asking for my free breakfast coupons or do I normally stay at hotels that are in the minority with this policy?

Edited to change tone a bit.

Because Hilton gives it to their Diamond (and maybe Gold) members??? :)

More seriously, IMHO this is the biggest flaw in the SPG program.

I certainly don't expect it after getting corrected on this when I first became Platinum (comped) last year. I intended to stay more at starwood properties but SARS intervened last year and I ended up travelling to places where starwoods were not available.

Once the no breakfast in most places that I travel became clear, and where starwood is available, I now mostly stay at Hiltons where I always get my breakfast (like this AM) and Holiday Inn properties where I am almost 100% sure I get my breakfast, all in properties with rooms/service that are comparable to starwoods and cheaper too.

I do appreciate the benefit at Starwoods when I get it though--like St. Regis in Shanghai!--top notch all around.

Thanks moulder3! :)
Do any Westins (that you know of) offer a free breakfast? Or is this simply a Sheraton response to a particular property not having a club lounge?

Very few that I've been to. In fact, the only two that are coming to mind right now are the Westin Times Square (NY) and Westin Pittsburgh. Both had a lounge like Sheraton.

Free breakfasts at Starwood hotels in Asia have been the norm and not the exception. I have seen this in China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Thailand (Westin and Sheratons mostly).

There are many Starwood hotels with lounges. The Westin Kierland, Sheraton Montreal and Sheraton Seattle have top notch lounges.

Where there isn't a lounge, some hotels will actually offer free breakfasts at their restaurant. The Sheraton Suites at the Philadelphia Airport, Sheraton Suites at the Tampa Airport and Sheraton College Park (MD) has consistently offered me breakfast coupons when I stay there. The Westin Tokyo and Westin Osaka provided free breakfast coupons even when staying on Starwood Points.

I certainly don't demand free breakfast but I do inquire and it is just one more reason why I mostly stay at Starwood hotels.

I've rarely ASKED for free breakfast coupons, but received them quite often. It's hard for me to remember which times it was because a lounge was closed, or because they did not have a lounge, but I am sure that is the reason some times. Now that I think of it, maybe most of the time the coupons have been given after I asked "Do you have a club lounge?" which is a question I frequently ask at check in. I don't think I'd be comfortable just to ask for free breakfast, but I usaully do ask if there is a lounge so I can be sure I am givien access to it if my room is not on that floor, and so I can find out where it is.

Some of the places I have gotten coupons from (and I still have some of the coupons in my bag because I had to leave too early for breakfast):
Sheraton Charlotte airport
Sheraton Fort Lauderdale airport
Sheraton Gateway SFO
Sheraton Phoenix airport

Two of the Sheratons I stay at most often have breakfast 7 days either for all guests (Tucson Sheraton) or in the lounge (Albuquerque Sheraton Uptown) and so I always get breakfast there anyway.

I personally don't care much about breakfast. I need to have a lot of good coffee before my body can handle food, so since the coffee in most of these places is not really drinkable, I end up going out for coffee after which I don't come back for breakfast! But when I travel with my wife, she often brings my high grade organic shade grown fair trade certified coffee and makes it for me in the room with a french press and bottled water heated in the hotel coffee maker, and then I go to breakfast with her because she really doesn't like to start the day without breakfast and she is just the opposite--she won't drink her coffeee until she has food.

So-called free breakfast is usually available in cheaper hotels in the US because the competition often offers this perk. In some locations, such as Palo Alto, Sheraton offers it, while the next-door more expensive Westin does not. But there are some very elegant free breakfasts out there: Sheraton Lisboa, Sheraton (but not Westin) Melbourne, Westin and Sheraton Sydney, Sheraton Kuala Lumpur (but not Sheraton Singapore) come to mind. Even Westin Madrid includes breakfast in many rates. You never know. But there is one constant: when Starwood charges for breakfast, forget it. The price is ALWAYS through the ceiling and NEVER value for price charged.

This Platinum doesn't expect a free breakfast.

This Platinum doesn't ever ask for a free breakfast.

This Platinum doesn't eat Breakfast.

I wish they'd offer free lunch, but I was always told there is no such thing.

:D

OK

No free bkfst ( as Marriot and Hilton give)

No suite upgrade ( As Hyatt gives)

Why not just use priceline then?

I agree because Hilton is a much better organization siNce they give it to gold and above. The breakfast is such a great benefit for me that I find myself dreading having to stay at starwood even though they do have some great physical structures. The breakfast makes the hilton more like home and makes me feel they appreciate my business. I honestly do not feel any experience at starwood, I only do promo to get points in case I need them in a pinch otherwise I stay with hilton.

Guests like you is guaranteed money! It makes perfect sense for hotels to give you the white glove treatment! If you manage a Sheraton and there is a Westin within 10 miles or down the street from you, provided that you also have the Sweet Sleeper bed, then do you not think the club lounge with free breakfast at your Sheraton will get you an extra 5 to 10 guests with 100 night per year? :D

I've seen in several posts where some plats will express dismay and frustration when they do not receive free breakfast, or reply in threads with shock and amazement when they see other plats have not received free breakfast at a hotel. Most recent example (although there are many) was in the Westin Palace Madrid thread where a poster was questioning why the breakfast buffet in the domed atrium was not comp for plats.

Is this a published or unpublished, but standard, benefit for platinums that I was unaware of? I'm a 100+ night a year plat for the past three years and can count the number of times I've gotten a comped breakfast on one hand. I've read that this is sometimes offered when a club lounge is closed on the weekends, but I rarely stay at hotels with club lounges.

So what's the deal? Should I be asking for my free breakfast coupons or do I normally stay at hotels that are in the minority with this policy?

Edited to change tone a bit.

First you asked for discount room in Round Rock. Now you want to ask for free breakfast in Ft Lauderdale? What's next? Red carpet roll out as soon as you check in? :D

So in response to your question - I suppose that you should be asking, as blue2002pointed out, but it probably depends on how often you frequent their hotel. I’ve gotten to the point at a few properties where some of the managers and staff recognize me when I check in, but I’ve never thought to ask for a comped meal. This is mostly due to the fact that all of the SPG hotels in the area that I am staying (like, Ft Lauderdale, for example), none of which have a club lounge. Perhaps I should start asking too. Thanks for the input! ^

Very rarely do I see Bfast. But I'm not the type to ask.
But what drives me is staying at a hotel with another Plat from my company and he always gets it. Says he doesn't ask, he has less stays and nights then I do. That bugs me, but I don't complain and I'm not ready to switch.
If it was all about Bfast then stay at Embassy Suites

Because Hilton gives it to their Diamond (and maybe Gold) members??? :)

More seriously, IMHO this is the biggest flaw in the SPG program.

I totally agree - this is one of my biggest problems with Starwod. With Marriott and Hilton top tier, I get breakfast. Why should I drain my expense account to pay $10-15 for breakfast at Starwood? Frankly, I find it very petty of Starwood not to offer this as a perk to PLTs.

It has cost them about 20 room nights in the last month alone.

I've been given free breakfast at 4 of my last 5 stays in the past two weeks in Phoenix and San Jose. It has been a nice perk.

I can't remember the last time I had a Starwood breakfast coupon. Maybe never? But I do stay at Starwood's with lounges from time to time and use the breakfast. I just had breakfast at the lounge at the Sheraton in Boston. Before that it was the Sheraton Paris CDG...and the Westin Pasadena...and the Sheraton Creek Dubai...

At Hyatts and Hiltons I always get breakfast coupons or lounge access. Also I get free breakfast at all Holiday Inn Express hotels. ;)

OK

No free bkfst ( as Marriot and Hilton give)

No suite upgrade ( As Hyatt gives)

Why not just use priceline then?

Good point. And with the money you save you can buy a whole lot more than breakfast typically. :D

Never got coupons for breakfast . . . but it can be nice where there is a lounge.

I will always GLADLY trade a free breakfast for a heavenly bed, excellent award availability, luxury collection properties, etc.

To me, while it would be nice to get breakfast coupons, the lack thereof does not in any way diminish my opinion that the SPG program is best of breed.

Just my two cents . . .

The last time I stayed at the Sheraton LAX they were renovating their lounge or someother such thing, and gave me a coupon for free breakfast. This was many years ago, and is the only time I can specifically recall getting coupons.

The weird thing is that the coupon stated that it was good for "2 eggs any style" but when I asked for a 2-egg omelette I was told that I couldn't have it. :)

Just some experiences:

Sheraton Stockholm - breakfast in the lounge - pretty good.
Westin Diplomat Ft. Lauderdale - breakfast, nice lounge. Hate the hotel but the breakfast and lounge are good.
Four Points Culver City - Coupon for REALLY GOOD breakfast buffet.


Westin LAX - lounge has no food or beverage except a fruit bowl.
Sheraton Pulitzer - no lounge no food.
Westin Bonaventure LA downtown (forget what it's called) - no lounge no food.
St. Regis Century City - no lounge no food.

I think one of the reasons is that you can get a free breakfast buffet in Four Points, or even on a Quest rate at La Quinta for $40. And the breakfasts are really good. You also get free internet at both. So you stay enough and you earn VIP and then they nickel and dime you for food and for parking and for internet - you don't feel so VIP anymore.

The weird thing is that the coupon stated that it was good for "2 eggs any style" but when I asked for a 2-egg omelette I was told that I couldn't have it.

You need to ask for the coupon that says, "2 eggs any other style." ;)

BTW, it costs extra for no eggs. ;)

This is one Platinum that never expects breakfast. IN fact, I don't recall if it's a guarantee of the SPG program for Platinums.

I am pleasantly surprised when the check-in person says "Mr. Catman, we serve complementary breakfast from (fill in time) in (fill in lounge location and floor.)

If it get it, all I require is a box or two of Kelloggs Frosted Flakes (Frosties overseas) milk and if possible a PEPSI (but I'll settle for Coca Cola.)

The one problem with breakfast for me is generally:

*I have a flight that leaves before the breakfast is served.
* I sleep through breakfast and wake up in time for lunch!!!

and if possible a PEPSI

I couldn't care less about free breakfast, but any hotel that drops Coke for Pepsi will get my loyalty. (Pepsi is the biggest improvement to United since the First Suites.)