Originally Posted by MDtR-Chicago

I find it's the unpublished benefits that make elite status worthwhile. Just this week, in a completely boneheaded mistake, I no-showed a reservation. I was completely in the wrong, yet the hotel still refunded the fee to me.

I've had my fair share of bending cancellation deadlines, suite upgrades, emergency cash, etc.

It's not that these things are impossible without status, just much easier to negotiate.