One time I was given a voucher for a free breakfast when I checked in for a three night stay. Every morning for breakfast I was not charged, and nobody asked for my voucher. Instead, each time I was given check where I could charge a gratuity to my room (and the server made sure to explain it was for a gratuity only). Charged the gratuity the first two mornings, the third I just stuck a dollar in the holder.

Checking out I see the $1.00 for the first two mornings under "Restaurant Room Charge" and right below that $2.00 for another "Restaurant" charge. Funny thing was there were tent signs on the tables advertising made to order breakfasts for something like ~$8.00 but I never saw anybody served a plate out of the kitchen, and the hot buffet seemed good enough to not shell out any extra money.

One evening I stopped down by the bar, and they had salad fixings with fresh homemade salsa and chicken thighs and drumsticks that were pretty tasty for happy hour.

My other stay at a Courtyard this year I won a free breakfast on a prize wheel in a "pardon our dust" deal for an upcoming renovation.

So for this year so far I've had four Courtyard breakfasts and pigged out at happy hour all for $4 plus gratuities, and I could've saved the $4 if I tipped directly.