Originally Posted by
Snacky
I am a recent status matched BW Diamond Elite, and reading the different threads about recent traveler's experiences in BW-hotels, wielding their different elite tier levels at check-in, I have come to no real conclusion about what to expect when I myself eventually would be checking into a BW property. There are so many different views and experiences mentioned, and there seems to be no consistency on what BW hotels in general are offering their loyal and valued elite tier customers. What can I request (or rather expect to be offered), and be certain to get (upgrades, bonus award points accrual, other perks etc.), and does my home country or the location of the property, decide which parts of the list of tier benefits that applies in this regard? Or should I simply just try to status match to another chain with clearer and more concise elite membership benefit offerings?
First, welcome to FlyerTalk,
Snacky!
The inconsistency you're reading reflects the inconsistency you have to expect.
What you can defintely expect is the elite status bonus points.
What you should expect (but I find it inconsistent still) is either a "welcome gift" of some kind or 250 bonus points per arrival. (And the hotel is allowed to decide which, ie, if the give you a welcome gift, you typically cannot swap it out for the 250 bonus points.)
What you should not expect (just be happy when you get it) is upgrades.
Much of what is nickel-and-dimed at "bigger" chains is free-to-all at many BWs, so while there are no "free breakfast" or "free internet" for elite members features, they are (especially the latter) not necessary that often.
As to whether you should status match to some other chain: Well, therein's the rub: It's easiest to get a status match at those programs that give you the least for status. It's much harder to get a status match at most of those programs that give you something very solid for status. (It's way easier to get Gold status in Hilton HHonors, for example, with the right credit card* or with one of several open-to-all Fast Tracks than it is to just status match. And that, I bet, is squarely related to the fact that you get so much more with HHonors Gold, which is the middle level in HHonors, than BW Diamond or Choice Diamond or even Priority Club Platinum, which are the top levels in those programs.)
And the other question is: Why did you choose Best Western? If it's because you stay in small towns without the "big names" (one of Best Western's main benefits is that it's in a lot of places where there are no other "chain" hotels except maybe other "budget" programs like Choice or WyndhamRewards), well, then, how is a "big name" hotel program with better elite benefits going to help you?