Originally Posted by
godbreath
Are there different tiers of breakfast provided? For example if I book with AMEX FHR which comes with breakfast, vs if I book a rate directly with Marriott that includes breakfast, vs breakfast with a Platinum member.
Wondering for these two cases:
1) If I see a rate that a little more expensive than the base case but includes breakfast, should I book that rate instead of relying on the free breakfast from an Platinum member?
2) If I have a rate booked with free breakfast, should I always take the non-breakfast welcome amenity when I check in?
High Technology gave a good response, based on his experiences and perspective.
godbreath, Let me address your initial question, "Are there different tiers of breakfast provided?"
You didn't ask about a specific brand. At full-service hotels and resorts that provide breakfast to Platinum Elite and above, there are three kinds of breakfast in the terms & conditions. Which of these you're entitled to depends on the brand (and sometimes whether it's a resort):
— Breakfast in the lounge (executive lounge / M Club / concierge lounge / club lounge)
— "Continental breakfast" in the hotel restaurant (when the lounge is closed or there is no lounge)
— "Breakfast" in the hotel restaurant (as a welcome gift choice)
Unfortunately, you won't find what to expect from each of these "tiers" in the terms & conditions.
On top of these, hotels and resorts can offer their own "breakfast included" packages, with their own definition of such breakfasts -- which could the same, better, or worse than what they provide to Platinum Elite and above.
If you're staying at a non-resort property of one of five Marriott legacy brands and the property has a lounge, you normally only get lounge breakfast. Lounge breakfast can be excellent at properties that seek to be competitive and want your return business. Lounge breakfast can be disappointing at properties that think it's good business to save a couple of bucks in the cost of providing benefits, even if drives loyal members to go elsewhere in the future. If you'd rather have breakfast in the restaurant, booking a "breakfast included" rate could be a good idea.
At brands where daily breakfast for member+1 in the hotel restaurant is a Platinum Elite (and above) welcome gift choice, there's probably seldom value in booking a "breakfast included" rate.
Of course, if the general manager has made the decision to provide LESS than the published benefit to Platinum Elite members (and above), such as only a partial voucher for breakfast, you might do better booking a "breakfast included" rate -- but you're probably even better off avoiding such hotels entirely.