Originally Posted by
SquareDanceGuy
There's a huge disconnect between OP's statement, "It only cost $35 which seems like a nominal amount for an upgrade to the townhouse" and MSPeconomist's reply, "... significantly beyond the normal Diamond upgrade and probably beyond a Diamond suite upgrade ...".
I wish someone would have told me, preferably _before_ I spent the time and money to qualify as a Diamond, that a $35 upgrade is "significantly" beyond what a Diamond normally gets and also "significantly" beyond a Diamond suite upgrade.
You raised a very good point.
It is indeed interesting to see how some players in the travel industry in desperate need of incremental revenue added many perks, often for very little $$$, that would otherwise be part of a top tier.
In cases like yours, with lots of time & money involved to get up to the top tier level, the question whether it was worth it should be based on an objective calculation...
Be careful, you might not reach the desired conclusion.
Let's summarize the most important points:
In the US, one can get free breakfast with AAA rates quite often, so the benefit of free breakfast, especially for people with lots of leisure stays is worth a more indepth calculation. Sticking with those leisure guests, the resort promos in recent years often did not only include free full breakfast, but also an upgrade of one category.
One should also not forget that free alcohol at the club lounges is gone and that the club breakfast is only a continental breakfast.
A suite upgrade with points on international soil includes club access in almost all cases...
NOR1 upgrades often go beyond what one can expect as a Diamond at some locations, including some suites above the usual entry level upgrade...
There is no Diamond point bonus at Hyatt International properties.
Many third party rates include breakfast per se...
More and more hotels are willing to discuss upgrades via email in advance with huge discounts (even some PH locations)