Got my 2017 Diamond Card!
Feb 13, 2016, 2:48 pm
#16
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I carry cards out of habit. I have a cigar box I keep all my important cards rubber banded in. When I'm about to take a trip, I grab the applicable cards and slide them into my travel portfolio.
Feb 13, 2016, 3:09 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
The ONLY thing I ever used mine for were for stays at the Las Vegas Hilton (now Las Vegas Hotel). The hotel had by far the best free buffet brunch at any hotel I stayed at. But in order to get it free you had to show your Diamond Card. Now that it is no longer a HH property, I know of no use for it other than for those that like to collect cards or can't remember their HH number.
Feb 13, 2016, 5:24 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,871
The ONLY thing I ever used mine for were for stays at the Las Vegas Hilton (now Las Vegas Hotel). The hotel had by far the best free buffet brunch at any hotel I stayed at. But in order to get it free you had to show your Diamond Card. Now that it is no longer a HH property, I know of no use for it other than for those that like to collect cards or can't remember their HH number.
Feb 13, 2016, 5:51 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
When I was Gold I would get a new card about every second or third year. As Diamond I have never received one. HH should either straighten this process out or give it up.
When the LVH had that "Star Trek Experience" attraction, showing my card got my whole family in for half price. That's the only time I've ever pulled it out of my wallet for a purpose.
When the LVH had that "Star Trek Experience" attraction, showing my card got my whole family in for half price. That's the only time I've ever pulled it out of my wallet for a purpose.
Feb 14, 2016, 1:27 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CONUS
Programs: HHonors, United, Delta
Posts: 828
In a FedEx envelope? Odd they would spring for air delivery. When I get the physical cards they always have come in a regular standard mail envelope with maybe a deck of cards and some pretty pictures. I think I last got one a few years ago. I could care less... I use the one that updates dynamically on my iPhone in the Wallet app. 
Yeah, that was my thought. "Hey! Someone spent $11 on sending me something... Oh. A plastic card."
Seems like that money (no matter how discounted they get FedEx rates) could have been spent on sending a little premium via slow boat. Not to be whiny, of course.
Upon consideration, this MAY be because a few months ago I had a stay credit snafu where I was showing incorrectly a couple stays short of Diamond in Nov, wrote HH to ask - even if I didn't stay any more for the rest of the year - am I in or not? They opened a case, established I was, indeed, good to go until 2017. Maybe this card was a follow up.
I have generally gotten plastic cards every year or two. Not always, but at least five times in my 9 years of Diamond level loyalty.
Feb 14, 2016, 2:37 pm
#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,895
I didn't realise cards weren't issued automatically. I have only been Diamond for 2 years but have received a card both years and currently have a card running to 3/2017.. all seems very inconsistent! However as others have said, there's really no reason for the card at all...
Feb 14, 2016, 3:58 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I didn't realise cards weren't issued automatically. I have only been Diamond for 2 years but have received a card both years and currently have a card running to 3/2017.. all seems very inconsistent! However as others have said, there's really no reason for the card at all...
I called the Diamond desk and the agent told me that they "have gone virtual."
(I guess this is analogous to no more paper folios under the door.
)Anyway, cards are only issued if the member calls and requests.
Feb 14, 2016, 8:00 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
What happens when you lose (drop one or more levels of) status? Do they send you the lower card, or do they notify you in some other way, or does "virtual" simply mean you don't get to find out until the buggy website says something that's actually true?