Originally Posted by
doc34
We are heading to London and staying at Regents Park. It appears that Gold status has been downgraded and no longer receives free breakfast or lounge access. Is this the case or are the European hotels still allowing gold members to have a free breakfast. Thanks in advance.
It's more accurate to say that Gold Elite has been renamed.
On August 18, 2018, Marriott combined Marriott Rewards, R-C Rewards, and SPG into a single program with program modifciations and renamed status tiers. The combined program is now called Marriott Bonvoy.
Previously, Gold Elite was the name for Marriott Rewards' 50-74 nights/year status tier. But now Gold Elite is the name for Marriott Bonvoy's 25-49 nights/year status tier, and Platinum Elite is the name for Marriott Bonvoy's 50-74 nights/year status tier. The new names align Rewards and SPG.
Various elite breakfast benefits kick in at the 50 nights per year level. That's how it was before, and that's still how it is.
Unfortunately, all sorts of reviews of stays prior to the August 18, 2018, on TripAdvisor and other websites discuss breakfast at Marriott properties at the Gold Elite level. When reading such reviews, keep in mind that the elite tiers have been renamed.
In short, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members do NOT get elite breakfast (as a Welcome Gift or through the lounge/breakfast benefit) as a published benefit in Europe or elsewhere in the world.