Dec 29, 2018, 7:57 pm
Last edit by: applesauce
Updating for post-covid
STATE, City
STATE, City
Hotel name; Operator: Dates
Details (offered, asked, invoked?)
United States
CA, San Diego
Guild Hotel, Tribute Portfolio: ; 11/21
GA, Atlanta
United States
CA, San Diego
Guild Hotel, Tribute Portfolio: ; 11/21
GA, Atlanta
The Burgess, Tribute Portfolio; ; 07/23
No lounge. No breakfast. Claims exempt as a "boutique" hotel. Did not invoke.
TX, San Antonio
St Anthony Hotel; Operated by BC Lynd (?); 11/22
$15pp but does not include tax or tip. Only found out at checkout.
Mexico
Full Service Properties that Don't Comply with the Breakfast Benefit
Mar 28, 2019, 8:29 am
#151
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
There is no commonly accepted definition of a continental breakfast in North America. Marriott's standard of a continental breakfast, judging from the lounges, includes at least oatmeal, eggs and some sort of meat, all of which require cooking. But it doesn't matter because we are talking about restaurants, which are supposed to serve eligible elite status guests "breakfast" and not a "continental breakfast."
I don't know why the definition of "continental breakfast" is suddenly an issue here.
The term "continental breakfast" is only mentioned two times in the Bonvoy terms & conditions — once in relation to the "Guaranteed Lounge Access" and once in relation to specific hotels that provide 1000 points in lieu of breakfast because their lounges are closed on weekends.
Otherwise, the term in the Bonvoy term & conditions is "breakfast in restaurant" or "breakfast in the restaurant."
There are two different ways Platinum Elite (and higher) members qualify for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. At specific Marriott-legacy full-service brands (resorts excluded), it's an alternative benefit when the lounge is closed or there is no lounge. In other cases (primarily SPG-legacy properties, but also some Marriott-legacy resorts), daily breakfast in the restaurant is a Platinum Elite Welcome Gift option.
Again, it's breakfast in the restaurant, not "continental breakfast" in the restaurant. Most properties comply with the terms & conditions.
Why does anyone defend a property that provides only a muffin, juice, and a cup of coffee to a Platinum Elite (or higher) guest? Or that provides only a $12 credit where a restaurant breakfast actually costs twice that amount?
Yes, technically, even a Belvita Breakfast Biscuit and a paper cup of coffee could be called breakfast. But that's not what guests at 4-star and 5-star hotels eat in hotel restaurants at breakfast time.
Last edited by Horace; Mar 28, 2019 at 8:37 am
Mar 28, 2019, 8:38 am
#152
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
Let's add the Autograph Collection hotel The Draftsman in Charllotsville, VA to the list. They won't give you free breakfast, they aren't excluded and the only option they'll give is 750 pts a night.
Mar 28, 2019, 8:43 am
#153
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Pursuant to section 4.1.c., if Lounge Access (or alternatives or exceptions as outlined above) is not available, Platinum Elite Members will be compensated $100 U.S. dollars for the inconvenience. Participating Properties outside the United States will pay the equivalent in local currency. This guarantee is offered at the following brands: JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Delta Hotels, Autograph Collection Hotels and Renaissance Hotels.
Mar 28, 2019, 9:34 am
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Just reminding folks, who may later recall this thread with regard to a U. S. Delta non-resort stay, that technically Delta "pantry" hotels are in compliance, not required to provide restaurant food.
Mar 28, 2019, 10:00 am
#155
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Mar 28, 2019, 11:47 am
#156
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
No because I didn't know of that while I was in stay. I escalated the issue to the lurkers though and another team at Marriott called the hotel who then lied and said I chose that option. Yet all my coworkers that are Plat/Tit have never been offered breakfast either.
Mar 28, 2019, 12:08 pm
#157
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
The Draftsman, Autograph Collection - Charlottesville, VA [Master Thread]
Mar 28, 2019, 12:11 pm
#158
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Exactly!
I don't know why the definition of "continental breakfast" is suddenly an issue here.
The term "continental breakfast" is only mentioned two times in the Bonvoy terms & conditions — once in relation to the "Guaranteed Lounge Access" and once in relation to specific hotels that provide 1000 points in lieu of breakfast because their lounges are closed on weekends.
Otherwise, the term in the Bonvoy term & conditions is "breakfast in restaurant" or "breakfast in the restaurant."
There are two different ways Platinum Elite (and higher) members qualify for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. At specific Marriott-legacy full-service brands (resorts excluded), it's an alternative benefit when the lounge is closed or there is no lounge. In other cases (primarily SPG-legacy properties, but also some Marriott-legacy resorts), daily breakfast in the restaurant is a Platinum Elite Welcome Gift option.
Again, it's breakfast in the restaurant, not "continental breakfast" in the restaurant. Most properties comply with the terms & conditions.
Why does anyone defend a property that provides only a muffin, juice, and a cup of coffee to a Platinum Elite (or higher) guest? Or that provides only a $12 credit where a restaurant breakfast actually costs twice that amount?
Yes, technically, even a Belvita Breakfast Biscuit and a paper cup of coffee could be called breakfast. But that's not what guests at 4-star and 5-star hotels eat in hotel restaurants at breakfast time.
I don't know why the definition of "continental breakfast" is suddenly an issue here.
The term "continental breakfast" is only mentioned two times in the Bonvoy terms & conditions — once in relation to the "Guaranteed Lounge Access" and once in relation to specific hotels that provide 1000 points in lieu of breakfast because their lounges are closed on weekends.
Otherwise, the term in the Bonvoy term & conditions is "breakfast in restaurant" or "breakfast in the restaurant."
There are two different ways Platinum Elite (and higher) members qualify for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. At specific Marriott-legacy full-service brands (resorts excluded), it's an alternative benefit when the lounge is closed or there is no lounge. In other cases (primarily SPG-legacy properties, but also some Marriott-legacy resorts), daily breakfast in the restaurant is a Platinum Elite Welcome Gift option.
Again, it's breakfast in the restaurant, not "continental breakfast" in the restaurant. Most properties comply with the terms & conditions.
Why does anyone defend a property that provides only a muffin, juice, and a cup of coffee to a Platinum Elite (or higher) guest? Or that provides only a $12 credit where a restaurant breakfast actually costs twice that amount?
Yes, technically, even a Belvita Breakfast Biscuit and a paper cup of coffee could be called breakfast. But that's not what guests at 4-star and 5-star hotels eat in hotel restaurants at breakfast time.
And while continental breakfasts on the continent may not have hot foods, it almost universally includes fresh fruit as well as a variety of meats and cheeses. It is not a muffin, coffee, and juice.
Apr 4, 2019, 11:46 am
#159
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, UA Gold; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 31
You could upgrade to the full buffet for $20 (if I remember the math correctly, they wanted $15 for the continental they gave us and $33 for the full buffet).
Apr 27, 2019, 9:51 am
#160
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Diamond; Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 70
No full breakfast at W Punta Mita
At the W Punta Mita, the breakfast amenity is coffee, juice, fresh fruit plate, and toast OR a pastry. If you pay an upgrade fee of $30, you and a guest will be upgraded to the AYCE breakfast buffet. Pretty disappointing.
Apr 27, 2019, 5:04 pm
#161
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 117
Complaint to Marriott and the general manager. And TripAdvisor it.
Apr 27, 2019, 5:28 pm
#162
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
I'm getting a sense that all the operators of the resorts in Mexico have decided to cheat on the benefit ....
Agreed, tripadvisor and specifically reference that they don't comply with the Platinum Breakfast Benefit.
Agreed, tripadvisor and specifically reference that they don't comply with the Platinum Breakfast Benefit.
Apr 27, 2019, 5:32 pm
#163
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Diamond; Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 70
I have thought about complaining, but does anything in Marriott T&C support this? While toast, fruit, and coffee is a pretty sad idea of breakfast — especially compared to other properties – is it arguably breakfast?
I guess what I’m asking is whether or not anyone knows of language in the benefit that I can use to support my claim. Or is it just defined as “breakfast” without any details on what that means.
I guess what I’m asking is whether or not anyone knows of language in the benefit that I can use to support my claim. Or is it just defined as “breakfast” without any details on what that means.
Apr 27, 2019, 5:42 pm
#164
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Cheers.
Apr 27, 2019, 6:02 pm
#165
Join Date: May 2002
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 2,276
I have thought about complaining, but does anything in Marriott T&C support this? While toast, fruit, and coffee is a pretty sad idea of breakfast — especially compared to other properties – is it arguably breakfast?
I guess what I’m asking is whether or not anyone knows of language in the benefit that I can use to support my claim. Or is it just defined as “breakfast” without any details on what that means.
I guess what I’m asking is whether or not anyone knows of language in the benefit that I can use to support my claim. Or is it just defined as “breakfast” without any details on what that means.
Earlier in this thread, I wrote that a reasonable person would read "breakfast in restaurant" at a 4-star, 4 1/2-star, or 5-star hotel to mean the kind of breakfast that guests at such a hotel would typically eat in the hotel's breakfast restaurant. It could be breakfast from the menu. It could be a breakfast buffet. It could be a choice of either.
I supposed a hotel manager could claim that a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed into a glass of water in the restaurant qualifies as "breakfast in restaurant." But that would be ridiculous. And toast and coffee as "breakfast in restaurant" at a "Premium" or "Luxury" hotel is only slightly less ridiculous.
A complaint is justified.