Flying for Fun

Brilliant! Crabapple & Kumquat comparisons add little value to the conversation.

While some like to harp about not getting their "guaranteed" benefits, consider that as a Bonvoy member, everyone had to accept the T&Cs of the program which explicity states that any provisions of the program may be changed with or without notice. Your "guaranteed" benefits are only "guaranteed" until they are not! Currently, they are on hiatus, you accepted that!

If breakfast is an absolute must, why not suggest to the hotel that you will pay last years rate if they can arrange to have breakfast provided under their local restrictions which may have changed between booking and arriving.

So many "entitled" people want their cake and eat it for breakfast too. Sub $100 LAX rates in August!!!! Who cares that there isn't a $3‐$5 food cost (only a portion of the total cost to provide it) full American breakfast. Apparently a lot do, I don't. Abbreviated-full-service proprties still offer more space, larger rooms and are quieter. I value that more than a "guaranteed" crappy breakfast in a small HI Express with tiny rooms, narrow corridors and an absolute zero % chance of an upgrade at half the price.

James

MSPeconomist

It's not always the case that full service brands have larger rooms than limited service brands. An obvious comparison is Hyatt Regency versus Hyatt Place. Within Bonvoy, RI and element (both extended stay as well as limited service) tend to have significantly larger rooms than Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, etc., in the same type of location. Within the strictly limited service category, I've had large rooms in 4Pts, but this is based on a small sample.

stimpy

Speaking of IHG, I'm at a full service Intercontinental in D.C. which has its restaurant open with free breakfast for elites. And a really great all day dining menu for either the restaurant or room service. I had an excellent dinner with escargots de Bourgogne and a filet mignon. This hotel is not holding back.

Sabai

I reckon that most properties currently offer limited service.

Kacee

I don't read anyone questioning that Marriott has the power to suspend benefits. What I see are a whole bunch of members saying they're not going to book with Marriott, because it currently provides little or no extra value at many properties (particularly within the U.S.). That's called consumer choice.

Boraxo

for many of us it is not the $$ but the fact that it isn’t offered for any price under the false excuse of COVID.

In most places restaurants are open for takeout. There is no reason Marriott chain hotels could not open for takeout and room service. Both are relatively safe (just knock on door and leave food outside). They choose not to offer anything except a room and a parking space.

I agree — I’ll gladly take a discount instead of a crappy free breakfast. But when I travel I stay at full service hotels precisely because I value food options at all hours to accommodate my needs. Also value gyms & pools which are open in many states.

CMK10

Well said. I'm at 81 nights this year (with 38 comped) and closing in on $9,000 in spend. I continued to travel during COVID due to my job requiring travel and I continued to steer dollars to Marriott who rewarded me with "well our restaurant is open but if you want anything you gotta pay". It leaves a worse taste in your mouth than the bad hotel coffee.

Global Adventurer

I wouldn't be surprised if their vendor who is supplying the food is selling it at retail price, like the corner store. Because, most people, definitely including myself can stockpile the stuff they put in their grab and go bags for less than $3.00. Think about, that yogurt sells for less than 25 cents each. A banana cost probably 10 cents if that. A frozen sausage sandwich is 50 cents max in the jumbo boxes and a stupid Capri sun or other sugary drinks is 25 cents or less. All of that comes to $1.10😂 From just going to Walmart!!! LOL

Kacee

Or the "no hotel coffee." The only properties I've stayed in that have "suspended" in-room coffee service were all Marriotts.

bwallet

You're seeing a sausage sandwich? I'm seeing a small, crappy muffin that you might expect at a Red Roof Inn with a banana. No yogurt.

Global Adventurer

😳

Xeno

I recently stayed in the Springfield, MO RI. We went to the dining area and could select bacon or sausage (alternate days), scrambled eggs, yogurt, fruit, muffin, banana or apple.

This Friday I start a driving trip that includes RI, Marriott, Renaissance, and TownPlace Suites. I don't think any of them offer more than a 'grab n go' thing for 'breakfast'.

One Westin I checked offered only points and no in-house restaurant whereas a Marriott in the same town at least has a functioning in-house restaurant along with the meaningless points.

stimpy

I forgot to add one really nice perk at this IC I'm at. They put an individually wrapped surgical mask in my room. And some hand sanitizer wipes. It could not have cost them more than a dollar, but I thought it was very thoughtful and useful. And something that Marriott will probably never do unless they are forced to.

dshafiee

On a positive note, when I checked in to the AC Saint in Key West in early July, we received two masks and sanitizers as well. They also offered free breakfast and late check out for elites.

Sabai

Yes, but McMarriott will provide two bibles in your room; perhaps better to stave off the demon virus.