Agreed, the marketing materials may say that but receiving program benefits is a joke. I have FD tell me many times that they cannot give me late checkout because there are other guests that would like to get into the room they booked on time. Total BS. NEVER EVER had an issue with SPG as a gold or plat member. Was never refused. I am beginning to wonder why I even bothered to obtain and maintain Diamond status. I have a friend that used to be a FD manager for 3 different Hilton properties and she said that they were trained not to provide upgrades or late checkout and at 2 properties were told by senior management that upgrades and late checkout were not available unless approved by them.

Total joke.....they DO NOT deliver on the promised benefits.