Hotel Breakfast Hacks: How to Get Free Food and Save Money

Hotel breakfast can cost $15-40 per person, quickly adding up to hundreds of dollars on a week-long trip. But with the right strategies, you can often get breakfast for free or significantly reduce costs. After years of travel, I've learned every trick to maximize breakfast value while minimizing expense.

Getting Free Breakfast: The Strategies

Strategy 1: Elite Status

The most reliable way to get free breakfast is through hotel loyalty program elite status:

**Hilton Gold/Diamond:** Free breakfast at most properties (huge value) **Hyatt Globalist:** Free breakfast at all properties **Marriott Platinum/Titanium:** Free breakfast at some brands (Courtyard, Fairfield, etc.) **IHG Platinum:** Free breakfast at Holiday Inn Express and similar

• Hilton Aspire credit card → Instant Diamond status

• IHG Premier credit card → Instant Platinum status

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex → Gold status (breakfast at select brands)

This is the single best breakfast hack. A $450 annual fee credit card that gives you Diamond status pays for itself in 10-15 hotel nights through free breakfast alone.

Strategy 2: Book Breakfast-Included Rates

Many hotels offer rates that include breakfast. These are often only $10-20 more than the base rate, which is cheaper than paying $25 for breakfast separately.

• Book directly on hotel website (often exclusive)

• Look for "Bed & Breakfast" rate plans

• Check during booking—sometimes it's automatically included

• Ask at check-in if breakfast-included rates are available

**Pro tip:** If the breakfast-included rate is only $15 more and breakfast costs $25, book it even if you don't eat breakfast every day. You'll still save money.

Strategy 3: Ask Nicely at Check-In

Sometimes hotels will comp breakfast if you ask politely:

**What to say:** "I noticed breakfast isn't included in my rate. Is there any possibility of having it added? I'm a [loyalty program] member and would really appreciate it."

**Success rate:** 20-30% at mid-tier hotels, 50-60% at luxury hotels

• You're staying multiple nights

• You're a loyalty member

• Hotel isn't busy

• You're celebrating something

• You've had an issue with your room

Strategy 4: Complain About Something Minor

This is ethically gray, but if you have a legitimate minor issue (room wasn't ready, WiFi was slow, noise from hallway), mentioning it often results in comped breakfast as an apology.

**Important:** Only do this if you actually experienced an issue. Don't make things up.

Strategy 5: Extended Stay Properties

Hotels like Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, and Staybridge Suites include breakfast in all rates. If you're staying multiple nights, these can be cheaper than traditional hotels even before factoring in free breakfast.

Maximizing Buffet Value

If you're paying for breakfast or have it included, here's how to get maximum value:

The Strategic Approach

• Freshest food

• Full selection before items run out

• Less crowded

• Staff is more attentive

**2. Start with protein** Eggs, bacon, sausage, yogurt—these are expensive items that fill you up. Load up on protein first.

**3. Skip the cheap fillers** Toast, cereal, pastries—these are cheap items hotels use to fill you up. They're fine as sides, but don't make them your main meal.

**4. Make a to-go lunch** Many hotels allow you to take fruit, yogurt, or a bagel for later. Grab an apple, banana, or granola bar for a mid-morning snack.

**5. Use the waffle maker** Fresh-made waffles are a highlight. Add fruit and you've got a substantial meal.

What to Prioritize

• Made-to-order omelets (if available)

• Smoked salmon (at luxury hotels)

• Fresh fruit

• Yogurt parfaits

• Hot breakfast meats

• Fresh-squeezed juice

• Pre-packaged muffins

• Cold cereal

• White bread toast

• Instant oatmeal

• Watered-down coffee

The "Breakfast for Two Meals" Strategy

If breakfast is included, make it count for lunch too:

• Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges)

• Yogurt cups

• Granola bars

• Bagels with cream cheese packets

• Hard-boiled eggs (if available)

• Bring a reusable bag

• Take items that are clearly meant to be portable

• Don't clear out the entire fruit bowl

• Be reasonable—take what you'll actually eat

**Hotel policy:** Most hotels don't mind if you take a piece of fruit or a yogurt. They do mind if you're filling tupperware containers with scrambled eggs.

Budget Breakfast Alternatives

If breakfast isn't included and you don't want to pay hotel prices:

Option 1: Grocery Store Run

• Yogurt: $1-2

• Fruit: $3-5

• Granola bars: $5 for a box

• Bagels and cream cheese: $5

• Orange juice: $4

**Total cost:** $20 for 3-4 days of breakfast vs. $25 per day at the hotel

Option 2: Local Coffee Shop

A coffee shop breakfast (coffee + pastry) costs $5-8 vs. $25 at the hotel. You'll get better coffee and support a local business.

Option 3: Fast Food

Not glamorous, but McDonald's breakfast is $5-7 and actually pretty good. Starbucks breakfast sandwiches are $6-8.

Option 4: Convenience Store

7-Eleven, Wawa, or similar stores have surprisingly decent breakfast options for $5-10.

Continental vs. Hot Breakfast: What's the Difference?

• Pastries, cereal, fruit, coffee

• No hot food

• Usually free at budget hotels

• Value: $5-8 if you were buying it

• Eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, etc.

• Much more substantial

• Usually costs $15-25

• Value: $15-20 if you were buying it

• Everything including made-to-order items

• Luxury hotels charge $30-50

• Value: $25-35 if you were buying it

**My take:** Continental breakfast is fine if it's free, but not worth paying for. Hot breakfast is worth $10-15 extra. Full buffets are rarely worth $40+ unless you're very hungry.

Hotel Breakfast by Brand

• Hampton Inn (hot breakfast)

• Holiday Inn Express (hot breakfast)

• Residence Inn (hot breakfast)

• Homewood Suites (hot breakfast)

• Fairfield Inn (continental)

• Courtyard (with certain rates)

• Hyatt Place (with certain rates)

• Aloft (continental with certain rates)

• Marriott Hotels

• Hilton Hotels

• Hyatt Regency

• Sheraton

• Westin

**Exception:** Elite status can get you free breakfast at brands that don't normally include it.

The Credit Card Breakfast Benefit

Some credit cards include hotel breakfast credits:

**Amex Platinum:** $200 annual hotel credit (can be used for breakfast at Fine Hotels & Resorts properties)

**Chase Sapphire Reserve:** $300 annual travel credit (can be used for hotel breakfast)

**Hilton Aspire:** Free breakfast via Diamond status (best value)

International Breakfast Differences

**Europe:** Breakfast is almost always included, even at luxury hotels. It's usually a buffet with bread, cheese, cold cuts, and coffee.

**Asia:** Breakfast is often included and very elaborate, with both Western and local options.

**Middle East:** Breakfast is typically included and very generous.

**United States:** Breakfast is rarely included at full-service hotels, usually included at limited-service hotels.

**Pro tip:** When traveling internationally, always check if breakfast is included. It usually is, and it's often excellent.

When to Skip Hotel Breakfast

Sometimes hotel breakfast isn't worth it, even if it's free:

• You're not a breakfast person

• There's an amazing local breakfast spot nearby

• You have an early flight and breakfast isn't open yet

• The hotel breakfast is notoriously bad (check reviews)

• You're on a diet and the options don't fit

• Local cafes often have better food and atmosphere

• Exploring a new neighborhood for breakfast is part of the travel experience

• Some cities are famous for breakfast (New Orleans, Portland, Austin)

The Bottom Line

**Best strategy for frequent travelers:** Get a credit card that gives you elite status with free breakfast (Hilton Aspire or IHG Premier). This pays for itself quickly.

**Best strategy for occasional travelers:** Book breakfast-included rates when they're only $10-20 more than base rates.

**Best budget strategy:** Stay at hotels that include breakfast (Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express) or buy groceries.

**Best luxury strategy:** Use elite status or ask for breakfast to be comped. If paying, make sure it's a proper buffet worth the price.

**Remember:** Breakfast is the easiest hotel expense to reduce or eliminate. With these strategies, you can save hundreds of dollars per trip while still eating well.

The best breakfast is the one that's free, filling, and doesn't require you to wake up at 5 AM to get it.