My own solution is to try to avoid the problem in the first place. If I'm going to a new place and benefits are important to me, I check FT first to see what others have experienced. If there's any doubt that the hotel is compliant, I call the front desk and ask what their policy is regarding benefits for Hilton Diamond members. If I don't like the answer, I ask to speak to the front desk manager. If I don't like their answer, I'll either book the stay somewhere else (and tell the manager that I'm going to do that) or go up the chain of authority. I've talked with hotel general managers and I've e-mailed [email protected] to get official interpretations of policy.

I don't do this for every stay, especially at Hampton Inns and Embassy Suites where breakfast is a foregone conclusion. But being proactive with other properties has saved me some frustration at check-in time.

Oh, and if a hotel is not compliant after I've been led to believe that it will be, I do a follow-up e-mail, letter, or phone call to the property.