The Delta Hotel Daytona Beach Oceanfront has figured out a loophole in the Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions that appears to allow it to charge elite members a cash co-pay for their free breakfast benefit. They aren’t the only Marriott property that does this, either, but they have what strikes me as an especially brazen approach.
Here’s a typical full service Marriott elite breakfast coupon along with the details from the back, offering complimentary continental breakfast including gratuity. It’s a standard form document from Marriott.
What this hotel has done, it appears, is taken that standard form and altered it to stay that complimentary breakfast explicitly does not include gratuity. Put another way, the hotel contributes less to breakfast and the guest is expected to pay more.
Here, by the way, is what the Continental Breakfast buys you at this hotel: Oatmeal or cold cereal, fresh fruit and skim milk, a choice of bread item, juice and coffee. They’ll also let you take an $8 credit against other items on the menu.
This hotel is very much taking continental breakfast literally, and they’re providing a continental breakfast, so meeting their obligations (tip-inclusiveness aside). Some hotels do more, and Hyatt’s program requires hotels to offer a full (not merely continental) breakfast.
The mere $8 credit though is striking. I’m reminded that hotel ownership group DiamondRock’s CEO has complained about getting just $7 from Marriott to cover breakfast. This isn’t a DiamondRok property, it’s owned by Hospitality Ventures Management Group, so perhaps that explains why they’re willing to credit $8 against their retail menu.
It would be really helpful for Marriott to be more explicit in its terms about what’s actually required of hotels, though I take their not doing so as strategic ambiguity. Many hotels will be more generous that the minimum that some properties figure out they can get away with. But they do let properties get away with a lot, because Marriott’s key motivation is keeping owners happy – and part of Marriott paying fees.
In contrast, though, Hyatt is clear both about what breakfast means and that the cost of breakfast means the actual cost that might be charged to a guest:
Globalists will receive daily complimentary full breakfast (which includes one entrée or standard breakfast buffet, juice, and coffee, as well as tax, gratuity and service charges) for each registered guest in the room, up to a maximum of two (2) adults and two (2) children.
Gratuity is part of the cost of breakfast so for a breakfast to be considered complimentary guests must not be expected to pay cash out of pocket when they eat it. But the Delta Hotel Daytona Beach Oceanfront has figured out a way to charge elite guests a cash co-pay for their ‘free’ breakfast.
It’s always something…..
Wow how generous I will tip 20 dollars for breakfast
Can’t make this stuff up
Another hotel to avoid black list
At the Delta penitentiary I mean hotel is it unlimited oatmeal?
I wish these hotel chains would stop the cycle of giving away something for “free” (included in the room rate) to better compete with other hotels, and then slowly removing the complementary items over time.
Business travelers tend to be on company expenses (although that is being cost controlled to death), but leisure travelers appreciate a reasonable breakfast at a reasonable cost, even if not included. I have stayed in hotels that charge > $30 (pre-pandemic) for breakfast. It’s cheaper to take a taxi to a local restaurant in many cases than to eat at the hotel, and the food is likely better.
@ Hyatt — If you are reading this, please note that this is why I choose you over Marriott, even if it costs me more. Please don’t change.
How is this not fraud? It sounds like the property is getting paid twice. Once by Marriott for the breakfast and again by the elites. And what about those tips?
Thanks for trying to keep them honest Gary!
Hyatt does same at some places in Florida…
All scum
Gary – agree this is skirting the rules but take issue w your belief that a “free breakfast” includes gratuity. I don’t know what payment the server gets and never assume they get the tip so always leave a cash tip on the table. To not tip and assume it should be included is IMHO cheap. Is a $5-$10 tip really going to hurt you and it certainly helps the server. Same reason I tip housekeeping. BTW this isn’t a Marriott position- I tip on free breakfast at all brands and when comped in a casino. It is just the right thing to do.
To not tip on a sit down breakfast because it is free is similar to the people that didn’t tip on the meal at Priority Pass restaurants and you see how restaurants are leaving them due to that and all the cheap, demanding Priority Pass members
I don’t get it. If you are eating a continental breakfast you aren’t likely to be served, but getting the items yourself buffet style. What are you tipping for?
@FNT Delta Diamond – Hotel isn’t being paid twice since the money (presumably) goes to the server.
AC – You say you tip at properties even if the server gets a gratuity through the program (like Hyatt Globalist). Your money, that’s great. But I am curious if you also double tip at a regular restaurant because there is no difference.
Marriott seems to do everything possible to NOT attract loyalty.
IMO Hyatt has the best breakfast deal for elites, and then Hilton with a credit to use at any dining outlet.
@Stan – most restaurants serve even a continental breakfast (at least one I go to). I also tip 18-20% at buffets where I get all my food. IMHO it is just a social expectation to tip and I gladly do it.
@Jack – of course I don’t double tip at restaurants but if I out a tip on my credit card for the server I expect them to get it (less any tip sharing). However yo expect a server to get a tip when I hand them a card that says “gratuity included” is much more uncertain. Given how cheap some of the property owners are I seriously doubt they pass along anything to a server as a tip and I don’t want to see the person that waited on my stiffed.
One thing I hate more than anything is cheap people and those that are always justifying not leaving a reasonable tip (15% on takeout and 20% or more at a restaurant) are just cheap. Squeeze that nickel and feel proud of yourselves that you avoiding giving a lowly paid server a tip! SMH
@Stan – Without getting into the tipping argument, you generally are being served drinks plus the table has been made up for you, etc. In the U.S., 10% is considered “standard” for buffet style service.
Yet another example of why I don’t bother trying to pursue hotel status beyond the mid-level statuses I get from my credit cards. Basically they’re not worth much more than free upgraded internet.
I’d be more upset about the $8 limit than the tip. I don’t mind tipping for table service. I’m not tipping for a self-serve setup. But $8 is ridiculous.
That’s why I can’t force myself into Marriott, even so have gold with them. I don’t trust Marriott.
but but it’s Covid time … and we are in this together!
As for the $60+ billions travel industry got from taxpayers during many stimuluses our Congress bestowed on oligarchs , that was just a side hustle!!!
Since when is the gratuity the responsibility of the hotel? What’s your reasoning for this?
Was just at a Marriott on Long Island, NY. Frequent guest there. No more free omlettes. Will offer basic free breakfast with opportunity to upgrade. Long descent from free wine, honor bars, concierge lounges…..
Thanks for articles like this. I live in Orlando and often venture to the coast for weekends. Now I know to definitely avoid this hotel.
I’ve always found US based beachfront destination hotels find way to scam Marriott members.
Atlantis in Bahamas also packs in a whole bunch of additional fees and costs to a “free awards stay”
@Gary
do you know when Marriott updates lifetime Platinum status achieved in 2021?
This happend to me not to long ago at a Westin in Tempe. I’m an Ambassador Elite and I choose a free breakfast as my welcoming gift. I came downstairs for breakfast and it was just a $15 credit towards breakfast. I got an omelet and an orange juice which was under $15. Then I received a bill for about $4 . The waiter said it was tax and gratuity added. I ask why is gratuity added. He said because I had the breakfast coupon. I asked, so if I didn’t have the breakfast coupon there would have been no gratuity added. He said correct. What sense does that make. I hate with a passion automatic gratuity. It gives the waiter an opportunity to give you whatever type service knowing they will get paid regardless which is what I got. Also. Why are taxes being added to a “free” breakfast. This seems to be an American Marriott franchise type greed. I travel to Europe/U.K. about 3 times a month and I never pay taxes, gratuity if I don’t want to. You check in at the front of the restaurant and that’s it. Buffet style/ Server style it doesn’t matter and the breakfast is on a completely different level.
Interesting as the Gild Hall, a Thompson Hyatt property offers coffee OR juice from a very limited menu. So Hyatt plays games too.
Hotels need to stop being overcharging for breakfast I’ve seen 25-30 and higher for standard breakfasts there’s nothing that special so as it is it’s prob worth 5-8 bux u can get a breakfast at dennys that’s better than the hotel. Most of them are buffet style anyways. If it was a sit down a la carte full service breakfast then would maybe be a lil diff with the tips etc but I seriously doubt this hotel in Daytona is giving a 5 star breakfast experience
The DELTA hotel in Lake Buena Vista / Disney World only offers a “Pantry” of continental items. Nothing anywhere near a hot breakfast. We won’t be staying here again.
CLICKBAIT –
Sorry, Gary, but this is much ado about nothing.
The free Continental breakfast that Marriott and Hilton always supplied to its elites always expected one to tip for the cost of the free meal ordered — Hyatt was the exception to this where the tip was included –Therefore, you have it the other way around — Hyatt is the exception not the other chains, notwithstanding your claim that the breakfast is then not really free.
Moreover, Continental was all that is promised by both Hilton and Marriott — hotels can offer more, but not less.
Given that costs have been rising for these employers – from labor costs to inflationary costs (Thanks, Joe!) for food and other items, it is not surprising that some hotels are looking to economize.
Finally, this is a Delta hotel — therefore, it is a catchall for usually not the most luxurious properties — thus, it is not surprising that only a Continental breakfast is offered.
Frankly, I probably would take the upgrade if it contained anything I found desirable.
This is not the only hotel does that! Westin Tempe does the exactly same thing to elite guest! They automatically apply 18% gratuity when elite member use their voucher to have breakfast!!
@AC who the hell tips for take-out? I hope you meant delivery, not pick up. if I’m picking up my own food, what is the tip even for? #endtoxictippingculture
@James Thomas and @HADLEY V. BAXENDALE: The vouchers that Marriott supplies hotels EXPRESSLY states that tip is included in the free breakfast. Look at the pictures. This property manipulated the voucher by removing that wording. That explains the different font, etc.
I had a similar experience in Jacksonville at the Delta Marriott. There the elite number is offered absolutely nothing toward breakfast. When questioned, they simply say we are Delta not Marriott. They are also never going to see this customer again. Good job Delta.
Just when you think you can start to forget about what hospitality and loyalty meant to SPG, there goes Marriott treating customers as commodities again. They’ll never earn my respect.
@VML – yes I tip for take out (usually around 15%). My daughter works in a restaurant (she is in high school) as a server and previously did take out. The person that handles take out has to coordinate the order w the kitchen, ensure it matches what was ordered (including any changes or additions), package it and take payment. I don’t tip 20% like I do if I am waited on but 15% is the recommended amount for take out. If you stiff the staff that does that work ai hope you feel good about yourself. Also understand you are the one, not me, that isn’t adhering to tipping norms
@FNT Delta – and if you use the language on the voucher to not tip you are just cheap! I personally want to make sure my server is compensated and I have no idea what, if anything, they receive off the voucher alone.
Go ahead – be cheap if you want but quit trying to rationalize it. Social norms are that servers are tipped. If you don’t want to adhere to that don’t eat in a restaurant
@Andre P – it makes sense because many people (apparently including those on here) don’t tip on “free” meals. Correct approach is to understand how much the meal would have cost without any free certificate, credit, 2 or 1 discount, etc and then leave 20% on what you would have paid without any such discounts. The server works just as hard if you meal is full price, discounted or comped.
@GARY and @FNTDELTA,
With all due respect, that is not a “typical” Marriott breakfast coupon as they generally DO NOT state gratuity included — if you ever get a voucher, at all!
Most times the front desk states one has a $$ value or you can have the buffet and are silent on the gratuity. When asked — and I rarely do as I know the answer — gratuity is not included.
I challenge Gary to state just what “typical” Marriott hands out these vouchers, and moreover, from when does that voucher date — as I never have seen a voucher from a Marriott property that included gratuities.
All should remember that Marriott used to exclude resort properties from providing free breakfasts, so their exclusion of gratuities — unlike Hyatt — was expected, whereas the latter provided same regardless of property type.
This article is plain CLICKBAIT.
Tipping is a stupid practice. It should be illegal to pay below minimum wage, and even minimum wage shouldn’t be baseline when dealing with people.
@AC: With your personal experience I suspect you have the best idea on the right tip %. But I suspect you can do better than mere 20% and can set a shining example. #30%OrCheapskate ?
@Jonah Jameson – I agree that the world would be better w no tipping. However, like it or not, it is engrained in US culture and there is an expectation in certain jobs that tips make up most of their compensation. Not liking tipping isn’t a reason to not take care of wait staff.
@Mr PDX – I do leave 25-30% on occasion but 20% of total bill is the minimum anyone should leave at a full service restaurant in 2022. Frankly if I have a discount or at comped a meal I tend to leave 30% or more since I got a free or discounted meal. I still come out paying less than I would have and it feels good to take care of wait staff.
Over tip sometime – you might find you enjoy it. Also I doubt anyone on here is so destitute that a couple of extra dollars will hurt you but it can make a difference to service staff
@AC: Thanks for sharing your opinion on tips. Again 30 or 35% might be cheap behavior for example, to someone who pays 40 or 50% regularly or on occasion. In fact, I doubt even 10 or 20 extra dollars will hurt anyone financially here. But admonishing people or calling them names when they’re not like you, I suspect, is hardly going to achieve anything. Tc.
@HADLEY V. BAXENDALE
*EVERY* Marriott voucher I have ever received stated gratuity was included, The latest was just last month.
Bill G —
and yet you do not identify this ostensible property — as I had asked Gary to do above.
Says alot.
Ho Hum.
I’m a bit confused here, Gary… the way I read it is not an $8 credit towards anything else on the menu, rather it costs $8 to upgrade _TO_ anything on the a la carte menu.
For everyone else, every coupon that I’ve ever gotten for breakfast has stated that gratuity is included. When I was staying at the JW Marriott LA Live last year, the coupons clearly stated that gratuity was included, and the folio that I had to sign included a 20% gratuity (for the breakfast buffet), that was zeroed out (I’m Titanium). I usually left a $5 on the table as well, but the gratuity was included.
@DT – glad you left $5. It is the right thing to do and I always add a tip. Love people that see it is “included” as a way to cheap out not knowing if the server even gets any of it or the hotel owner just pockets it (which they would be incented to do).