Choice Privileges - Courtesy status renewal?

I've been laid off since July, and I haven't stayed at a Choice property since early June. My total so far this year is 25 nights.

Today I got an email from Choice saying Congratulations on Achieving Choice Diamond Status. A note at the bottom states, "You will be Elite Diamond for the remainder of 2009 and all of 2010."

So is it because of a downturn in business in general (which prompted Marriott to renew my Platinum status last year), or does Choice use a rolling tier, or what?

I got the same thing & have only stayed a few nights this year. I think it is a bug. See the other thread on this page related to that.

I got the same, and have already requalified for Gold, but thought it strange to receive the notice in August. I know I differ with most on this board: I don't think Choice gives much for status. But this is the kind of token that they can do. So, a contained "Bravo". :)

And BigLar, say it ain't so! :(

I've been laid off since July, and I haven't stayed at a Choice property since early June. My total so far this year is 25 nights.

Today I got an email from Choice saying Congratulations on Achieving Choice Diamond Status. A note at the bottom states, "You will be Elite Diamond for the remainder of 2009 and all of 2010."

So is it because of a downturn in business in general (which prompted Marriott to renew my Platinum status last year), or does Choice use a rolling tier, or what?I got that as well (34 nights this year) and sent in an e-mail inquiry.

I was told that the e-mail was an error. I suggested if that was the case, a correction should be sent. No response.

David

Just got this e-mail:

Dear DiverDave,
You may have recently received an email that prematurely announced you had reached Elite Diamond status. Unfortunately, during a programming maintenance procedure our communication system triggered this email by accident. We sincerely apologize for this error and for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused you.
In order for you to qualify for Elite Diamond status for 2010, you need to stay 6 additional nights at any Choice hotels before the end of 2009. Don't miss out on the benefits and services Elite Diamond status provides that can make your 2010 travel easier and more rewarding.
Now would be a great time to stay at our hotels and reach Elite Diamond status for 2010, since we are offering a free night promotion. Just stay three straight nights at the same hotel with arrival by November 19th, 2009 and you will earn enough Choice Privileges® points to redeem for a free night at over 1,500 Choice hotels.
We want to thank you for being a loyal Choice Privileges member and we greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,

Pat Marugg
Manager, Choice Service Center
________________________________________

I got that as well (34 nights this year) and sent in an e-mail inquiry.

I was told that the e-mail was an error. I suggested if that was the case, a correction should be sent. No response.

David

I just received my correction email.

It certainly would have created goodwill if Choice had honored their premature email notice.

They did this last year in December for me and I called to complain when status was not carried over (missed by 3 days). They did grant Diamond status for this year and reminded me 40 nights needed to make Diamond for 2010. Had this been later in the year I'd argue the point again, but this eMail was way too early to believe.

I do give them points for customizing each email with name and remaining nights needed. It could have been a generic message showing no concern for customer service.

I just got my "oops" email today. The initial email made me more favorably disposed towards Choice, but that was erased by the poor terms of the recent "promotion" leaving me neutral towards them. Now that they've sent this, the net effect of all three occurrences is to make me more likely to stay elsewhere. In my opinion these retraction emails are an error on their part.