You may have just missed it. Pre-2010 HGP w/ Diamond status was amazing and was supported by an exceptional collection of stunning full service HR, GH & PH hotels that strongly recognized both platinum and diamond members (my 2002-2010 experience). Part of this may have been the economy and everybody connected to Hyatt was pushing brand loyality as an answer to low occupancies. So Hyatt buys Amerisuites and rebrands to HP, then goes public, and then HGP signs with Chase to market a credit card. And finally, occupancies picked up.

So not the SF HR, but my experience in SF GH sucked as a diamond under a diamond suite upgrade- sucked so much that they threw xtra bonus points at me to finally shut me up.

Those stunning hotels are still there, but I just think many of them know "cheap" diamonds from those that do have HGP status but no budget restrictions and/or pre-diem caps. Visit any of the hotels in Asia, or even GH Seattle. There are some gems out there. And some of them will honestly appreciate your business even if you have evoked a BRG.