I agree. Eventually getting full or partial Elite benefits later in a stay is not the same as having a proper, pleasant check-in that includes being offered the published Welcome Gift options for the brand.

Anyone who is denied the published Welcome Gift options at check-in is officially entitled to compensation. If it's simply a case of a front desk agent needing to reminded by the Platinum Elite (or higher) member at the completion of check-in, and the front desk agent then immediately offering the correct Welcome Gift options, I would not ask for compensation.

But if the front desk agent refuses or misrepresents the Welcome Gift -- such as insisting the Courtyard/Moxy/AC Hotels daily $!0 F&B credit is only for one night of a multi-night stay or only for the member but not also for a second guest in the room -- then it's absolutely proper to ask for compensation. The GM of the hotel has either failed to train the front desk staff properly, or the GM is intentionally trying to weasel out of offering Elite benefits to save the cost. In either case, the GM deserves to have his or her P&L hit with the compensation cost, and the guest deserves the compensation.

For the marketing version of the Marriott Bonvoy benefits and guarantees, see Elite Benefit Guarantees. Look under "Guaranteed Welcome Gift for Platinum Elite and Above." Or, for all the gory details and exclusions, see the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program Terms & Conditions.

Just one friendly bit of advice: Elite guests should be sure to understand the Elite benefits for each brand at which they stay (including geography and hotel/resort distinctions). Here on this forum and also on Facebook, I've seen many cases of Elite members who don't know the program, such as which brands offer guaranteed lounge access, which offer daily restaurant breakfast as a Welcome Gift, or what happens when a member books more than one room.

For a quick reference, see the Wiki at the top of this thread.