Originally Posted by
pinniped
I don't get the Hyatt DSU criticism: can't you apply it to the normal rates you'd otherwise book? Or do they have an airline-like structure where you must buy-up to an artificially high rate in order to be DSU-eligible.
Most Hyatt people on FT seem to value their DSU's pretty highly.
Most of my top-tier hotel years have been HH and Marriott where true suite upgrades have become quite rare.
In most cases, the biggest benefit I get out of hotel/airline elite statuses is access to basic, adequate customer service. Genuinely *good* customer service is of course reserved for the very, very top tier - UA Global Services and the like - which is way beyond my current rate of travel. But a low/mid-tier means you generally aren't treated horribly. (Stress generally...)
DSUS work with any stay eligible rate, i.e. points and cash, AAA, corporate, BRG, etc. You book the cheapest room you can and then upgrade. Great benefit to confirm room in advance. The last 2 times that I have used, the hotel sold out of suites weeks before my stay (or other Diamonds got them too.) It's just one less thing to worry about if you want that extra special and/or larger room.
To OP, I like the benefits of free breakfast and/or lounge access and the upgrades. I only have hotel status to compare to.