Originally Posted by
itravelalot
It is very easy for a hotel to blame distant corporate for their cheapness. But yes, there have been some reports of previously generous properties not going over the brand minimum.
Or less than the brand minimum, in some cases.
Originally Posted by
itravelalot
This wasn't compliant. Per the terms and conditions, you were entitled to 750 points or breakfast for you and one other person in the restaurant. If they failed to offer this, you were further entitled to $100 in compensation.
I agree that the failure to provide lounge access or alternate breakfast at the time of check-in entitles the Plat/Titan/Amb Elite guest to $100 USD compensation. It's a penalty that's supposed to be painful for hotels as an incentive to treat Elite guests properly.
As Sharon noted, "$10 F&B credit or 1k points" is compliant with the Plat/Titan/Amb Elite Welcome Gift — which has nothing to do with breakfast at five brands of Marriott legacy full-service hotels.
Breakfast means lounge access for member + 1. If the lounge is closed or there isn't one, then breakfast is "breakfast in restaurant" for member + 1. Again, this is in addition to the Elite Welcome Gift. (At one Marriott legacy full-service hotel brand, Delta Hotels, it can also be Elite Pantry access.)
When I stay at a Marriott and the lounge is closed, the front desk usually provides vouchers for "continental breakfast" in the restaurant with tax and gratuity included.
In other cases, the restaurant has a list, and no voucher is required.
In both cases, the restaurant usually provides a full buffet, although a few cheapskate properties want $5 to $10 more per person if you dare put a spoonful of scrambled eggs and a sausage patty on your plate.