This post will sum it up in one easy to read table whether you can free breakfast as a Platinum Elite or higher in APAC. This is not another post ranting about the complex Marriott breakfast policies for Platinum Elites; there are other blogs for that. Yes, the policies are admittedly complex.

Don't read this if you want to pursue a PhD in Marriott

This post is for regular people with Marriott Platinum Elite or higher status in APAC that wake up and just want a darn breakfast. They don't care whether breakfast is in a lounge or not, and just want to know:

Do I get free breakfast as Platinum Elite?

Which Marriott brands give me breakfast?

The table below is built from the Marriott Elite Benefit Guarantees. The link is there in case you want to pursue your PhD in Marriott policies. To keep it simple:

Always request the Welcome Gift of breakfast during check-in when asked.

The hotel will tell you if you already have breakfast as part of the lounge, in which case they will tell you are getting points. Only if there is another option other than points and breakfast for the welcome gift will they ask you what you want. e.g. another F&B amenity such as a fruit plate or bottle of wine.

No Platinum Yes Platinum or higher
No Breakfast Not applicable
    Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
      Design Hotels
        EDITION
          Gaylord
            Marriott Executive Apartments
              Homes & Villas
                Ritz-Carlton
                  Ritz-Carlton Reserve
                    Any Vacation Club (Grand Residences, Marriott, Sheraton, Westin)
Yes Breakfast
    Element (except APAC)
      Fairfield Inn & Suites (except APAC)
        Residence Inn
          SpringHill Suites
            City Express
              TownePlace Suites
    Exclusive to APAC brands of:
      AC Hotels
        Citizen M
          Courtyard by Marriott
            Element
              Fairfield Inn & Suites
                Moxy
                  Resorts

                  Globally:
                    Aloft
                      Autograph Collection
                        Delta
                          Four Points
                            Four Points Flex
                              JW Marriott
                                Le Méridien
                                  Marriott
                                    Outdoor Collection
                                      Protea Hotels
                                        Renaissance
                                          Series
                                            Sheraton
                                              St. Regis
                                                The Luxury Collection
                                                  Tribute Portfolio
                                                    Westin
                                                      W Hotels

Why not Welcome Gift of points instead of breakfast?

If you're reading this post, you wanted breakfast, right? If there's no breakfast other than via Welcome Gift of breakfast, choose breakfast!

The Welcome Gift of breakfast is valid for your entire stay. If you stay for a week, you get breakfast for a week. 500 or 1000 points is typically worth less than breakfast for even 1 day if you consume more than a coffee and croissant for breakfast, even if you buy that outside the hotel.

Double-dip

The sweet spot is the Courtyard brand with lounges in APAC. Properties with lounge - 500 Points per stay and breakfast in lounge - if lounge is closed, breakfast in restaurant per night of stay for Member +1.

As a Platinum, because you get lounge access, you get free breakfast in the lounge (or restaurant if lounge is closed), you still get the WeThis means because you get

What are Welcome Gift points worth?

I'll write a separate post on that and why many other blogs have flawed valuations.

I have to ask: Lounge or Restaurant breakfast?

Now that I opened a can of worms, I have to explain the differences of restaurant vs lounge breakfast, but I will give you a short version. You can read the long PhD version elsewhere.

Lounge Restaurant
Food Selection Smaller Bigger
Environment Quieter Noisier
Open for Breakfast?
    Yes
      No: can go to restaurant
 Yes

Bigger food selection may mean more egg cooking styles, a noodle bar, local dishes, more cereal, juices, even main courses. 5-star hotel lounges (JW Marriott) in Asia are as good as the restaurants. You may even find caviar and steak at the breakfast buffet at the Westin in Seoul.

Who are lounges for?

I'll write a separate post for that.

Why are people upset they don't get free breakfast at some brands?

I'll write a separate post for that.