Marriott STARS & Luminous, the complete guide to getting free breakfast, credit and benefits without having status

As I often tell in my articles and often repeat in videos "It makes no sense to hunt for status.". This is true for airlines and even more true for hotel chains. Of course if you have status you are generally treated better, but what few people know is that if you want VIP treatment you can get it even if you have never stayed in a chain.

What many people often ignore, but there is no shame in this since in Italy certain topics are not covered by anyone but here at TFC, is that Through some preferential booking channels it is possible to be treated even better than an Ambassador, that is, a person who in Marriott spends at least $23k each year and stays, minimum, 100 nights.

ACIblueteam's exclusive team is a perfect partner

Since I started talking about the partnership I signed with the exclusive team some readers wrote to me saying that they were no longer used to interfacing with a human being, that they would rather have automated responses and/or faster times. Certainly online booking has reduced time and friction, but it is true that the consultant when talking about a certain type of destination or vacation can be a very valuable support. If we then consider that we are talking about a Italian company and a leader in its field is even better.

In this case then if you want to get the benefits provided by Marriott STARS & Marriott Luminous channel is mandatory to go through this channel, as is Hilton Impresario e Virtuoso.

All reservations get qualifying points and nights

The premise is a must, all reservations made through this channel are valid for the accumulation of qualifying nights and Bonvoy points. Any promotions are in addition to active promotions and all double dipping such as partnership with Emirates and the like are valid.

Marriott STARS benefits and hotels: everything you need to know

Of the two, the "Stars" program is definitely the more interesting and full of benefits. The hotels participating in this collection are:

• Bvlgari
• Edition
• Luxury Collection
• Ritz-Carlton
• Ritz-Carlton Reserve
• St. Regis

Marriott Stars benefits may seem very similar to those of the program Fine Hotels & Resorts, but the interesting thing is that to access this booking channel you only need to contact an exclusive consultant you don't need to be a particular credit card holder, you don't need to have a status and there is no type of limitation or minimum/maximum stay requirement to obtain the following benefits:

• Free breakfast daily for up to two people per room
• Hotel credit worth $100 USD once per stay
• Room upgrade, subject to availability upon check-in
• Free basic Wi-Fi
• Personalized welcome
• Welcome gift

The real advantages are basically two. Free breakfast, since sometimes you don't even get it with maximum status and credit to spend at the facility. Credit which I remind you is per stay/room, not per night/person Given what breakfasts cost in these hotels booking through the STARS channel means a savings of no less than 60/70$ per day for a couple's stay.

Benefit and Marriott Luminous hotels: everything you need to know

The Luminous channel concerns less "luxury" brands in the Marriott family, but this does not mean that we are talking about a younger sibling, what is certain is that even in this case it allows for savings To those who book through this channel.

• Autograph Collection
• JW Marriott
• Le Meridien
• Marriott
• Renaissance
• Tribute Portfolio
• W Hotels
• Westin

The list of benefits is very similar, but the difference is in the details and exceptions.

• Free daily breakfast for two people per room
• Free basic Wi-Fi
• Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary room upgrade, subject to availability upon check-in
• Personalized welcome
• Hotel credit worth $100 USD once per stay*.

* The difference between the two programs is in this very post, since in this case hotels are not obligated to provide the credit, but it is at the discretion of each facility to grant this benefit.

On the other hand, however, one must consider that Signs that participate in the Luminous program are significantly cheaper and being able to have credit to spend and free breakfast can really allow you to make significant savings for the low cost of the room.

Are you a Titanium or Ambassador? there are benefits for you, too

Of course if you do not have any status, or the useless Gold Elite, you get a great advantage with bookings through this channel, but since not all hotels Marriotts grant free breakfast, let alone high-end ones like Ritz Carlton and Bvlgari, the benefits are many even for those with significant Elite status.

Check-out and upgrades are subject to availability, but in this case those arriving via a STARS or Luminous reservation are immediately in a privileged position Than an equal level to get a better room. Without considering, of course the possible credit to spend in the facility that is extra for everyone.

Rooms do not cost more

An important consideration is that rooms booked through the exclusive team do not cost more and there are also no surcharges for booking through an agency. The rate charged is the best possible flexible rate.

Free nights and additional promos

Many Marriott STARS and Luminous properties often have Specific offers for guests booking through these channels.

These promos include the 3rd/4th/5th night free or more creative promotions such as "book a suite and receive an additional $ 250 (USD) credit to spend at the facility." Of course, all you need to do is contact the exclusive team to learn about any facility promos.