[QUOTE=

My mantra with Diamond has always been "Earn it in the U.S.; enjoy it internationally."[/QUOTE]

I totally agree, since 1999 I have earned my status in the US then used the points to stay somewhere nice. In 16 years of reward trips I can't remember one instance where my wife and I were not given some sort of special treatment. It might have just been a room near the EL or a nicer view; I hope things don't change we have a 2 week trip to NZ coming up and are using points for Auckland, Lake Taupo and Queenstown.