In Johannesburg at the Hilton, when I asked about my Gold benefit, I was upgraded to a small suite and given access to the Executive Club lounge facilities. As a Gold at Starwood, this would never happen, and hardly ever as a Platinum -- there are too many of them -- so my experience at a tier lower with Hilton is far better for such benefits than at Starwood. However, one must still often ask for these upgrade benefits when dealing with inexperienced checkin agents. I am beginning to think all programs should run refresher courses for their front line people, because most are oblivious to the benefits of elite status.