Marriott STARS Benefits: Free Breakfast, Room Upgrades & Hotel Credits

FYI: We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through a link on our site, at no additional cost to you. Please refer to our Disclosure for more details.

Marriott STARS is Marriott’s luxury travel advisor program that provides valuable perks such as free breakfast, priority room upgrades, and hotel credits at participating luxury Marriott hotels worldwide — often at the same flexible rate you’d find when booking directly through Marriott.

For travelers booking higher-end Marriott brands, STARS is one of the most reliable ways to add meaningful value to a stay without relying solely on elite status or searching for discounted rates.

In some cases, Marriott hotels participate in Marriott Luminous, a related advisor program that offers similar — though typically more limited — benefits at select upper-upscale properties.

Here’s how Marriott STARS works, what benefits are included, how it compares to booking direct, and when it makes more sense than using Marriott corporate codes.

What Is Marriott STARS?

Marriott STARS is an invitation-only preferred partner program available exclusively through authorized luxury travel advisors. When a stay is booked through STARS, the reservation is made directly with Marriott, but with additional VIP benefits attached.

The key point is that STARS bookings are treated as direct Marriott bookings. You earn Marriott Bonvoy points and elite night credits, and your reservation is fully managed by Marriott — just with added perks that aren’t typically available to the general public.

Because STARS rates aren’t visible on Marriott’s website, a certified travel advisor handles the booking and confirms the included benefits before arrival.

For broader context on how advisor-only hotel programs work, see our overview of
Virtuoso Travel benefits.

Marriott STARS Benefits Explained

While benefits can vary slightly by property, most Marriott STARS hotels offer a consistent set of perks designed to enhance the stay experience.

Daily Free Breakfast for Two

STARS bookings typically include complimentary breakfast for two each day, regardless of Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

At luxury properties where breakfast can be costly, this benefit alone can deliver significant value over a multi-night stay.

Priority Room Upgrades

Marriott STARS reservations receive priority consideration for room upgrades, subject to availability.

Premium Lakefront Room Upgrade at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva

Upgrades may include a better view, a higher room category, or a junior suite, and STARS bookings often receive stronger upgrade priority than standard direct bookings — even for elite members.

Hotel or Resort Credits

Most STARS stays include a property credit, typically $100 per stay, which can often be applied toward dining, spa treatments, or other on-property expenses.

How the credit can be used depends on the hotel, but it frequently offsets costs you would have incurred anyway.

Early Check-In and Late Check-Out Consideration

STARS guests receive priority consideration for early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability.

While not guaranteed, STARS bookings often enjoy greater flexibility than standard reservations, especially at luxury properties.

Welcome Amenities and VIP Recognition

Many STARS bookings include a welcome amenity or personalized note. More importantly, the reservation is flagged internally, which often leads to better recognition and more attentive service during the stay.

Welcome Gift at Santa Marina Resort in Mykonos, Greece

Earn Marriott Bonvoy Points and Elite Night Credit

Because STARS reservations are considered direct bookings, you still earn Marriott Bonvoy points and elite night credits exactly as you would when booking through Marriott.com.

Which Marriott Brands Participate?

Marriott STARS benefits are available primarily at Marriott’s luxury brands, including many of its most desirable properties worldwide.

Participating brands commonly include:

The Ritz-Carlton
St. Regis
JW Marriott
EDITION
W Hotels
The Luxury Collection

Participation varies by property, so eligibility is always confirmed at the time of booking.

Minimum Night Requirements by Brand

Some Marriott STARS benefits may require a minimum length of stay, depending on the brand and specific property.

In general:

Many STARS benefits apply on one-night stays
Some luxury resorts or special offers require two or more nights
Promotional benefits may have additional conditions

Typical patterns include:

St. Regis / Ritz-Carlton – Often require two-night stays for full benefits
JW Marriott / Luxury Collection – Varies by property
EDITION / W Hotels – Frequently available on one-night stays

A travel advisor confirms minimum stay requirements before booking so there are no surprises.

Marriott STARS vs Booking Direct

Booking directly through Marriott.com works well for earning points and elite credit, but it doesn’t always include meaningful on-property benefits unless you already hold high-tier Bonvoy status.

A Marriott STARS booking typically adds:

Daily breakfast for two
A property or resort credit
Better upgrade priority
Enhanced VIP recognition

For travelers staying at luxury Marriott properties, these benefits often outweigh any advantages of booking direct alone.

For a broader look at how STARS fits into the luxury booking landscape, see our
Virtuoso Travel benefits overview.

How to Book Marriott STARS Rates

Marriott STARS rates are not available on Marriott.com or through online travel agencies. To access STARS benefits, the reservation must be made through an authorized Marriott STARS travel advisor.

The booking itself is still a direct Marriott reservation, but the advisor ensures that all STARS benefits are correctly attached before arrival.

Steps to Book Marriott STARS

Choose your Marriott hotel, travel dates, and room preference
Work with a certified Marriott STARS travel advisor
The advisor confirms which STARS benefits apply at the selected property
Your stay is booked at Marriott’s standard flexible rate with STARS perks included

Because availability and benefits can vary by property, having an advisor confirm details in advance helps avoid surprises at check-in.

For travelers who prefer a streamlined approach, check out our “How to Book Virtuoso and Advisor-only rates online” instead of calling a Travel Agent. This is my favorite way to book Marriott STARS & Luminous rates.

Marriott STARS vs Marriott Luminous: What’s the Difference?

Marriott travelers will sometimes see both STARS and Luminous referenced when booking through a travel advisor. While the programs are related, they apply to different tiers of Marriott hotels.

Marriott STARS

Marriott STARS is Marriott’s top-tier luxury advisor program and applies primarily to its highest-end brands.

STARS benefits typically include:

Daily free breakfast for two
Priority room upgrades
$100 hotel or resort credit
Enhanced VIP recognition
Early check-in and late check-out consideration

STARS is most commonly available at brands such as St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, EDITION, W Hotels, and The Luxury Collection.

Marriott Luminous

Marriott Luminous is a secondary advisor program designed for select upper-upscale Marriott properties that do not participate in STARS.

Luminous benefits often include:

Daily free breakfast for two
Priority room upgrade consideration
Enhanced recognition at check-in

However, Luminous bookings do not always include a property credit, and upgrade priority is generally more limited compared to STARS.

Luminous is commonly found at brands such as Westin, Le Méridien, Autograph Collection, and some Tribute Portfolio hotels, depending on the property.

Which Program Applies?

STARS applies at Marriott’s most luxurious properties and typically offers the most valuable benefits.
Luminous applies at select upper-upscale hotels where STARS is not available.

A travel advisor will automatically book the appropriate program based on the hotel you choose and confirm which benefits apply before your stay.

Marriott STARS vs Marriott Corporate Codes

Many travelers compare Marriott STARS with Marriott corporate codes, which are commonly used for business travel or negotiated company discounts.

Corporate codes may reduce the nightly rate, but they typically do not include perks such as free breakfast, upgrades, or hotel credits.

In contrast, Marriott STARS focuses on experience and value, particularly at luxury properties where breakfast, upgrades, and credits can significantly enhance the stay.

Who Should Consider Marriott STARS?

Marriott STARS is a strong option for travelers who:

Are booking luxury or special-occasion stays
Want free breakfast and upgrades without relying solely on elite status
Prefer enhanced on-property service and recognition
Value advisor support if plans change

It’s especially useful for resort stays, international trips, and high-end Marriott properties where on-site costs add up quickly.

Final Thoughts

Marriott STARS is one of the most effective ways to elevate a luxury Marriott stay. Complimentary breakfast, priority upgrades, and hotel credits can add substantial value — often without paying more than the standard flexible rate.

When booked through an authorized travel advisor, STARS offers a compelling alternative to booking direct or relying on corporate discounts alone.

For broader context on luxury hotel booking programs, see our overview of
Virtuoso Travel benefits.