Now that is a good answer...the Lurkers can read here and i dont know them so I will keep this public until resolved....in the meantime after 37 years in the program i guess I need to try some other options. I could go back to IHG ..as they have places in Asia that were good 10 years ago...would you recommend them ? I could go back to IHG as they keep asking me ? What do you think ? i remember I used Intercontinental in Singapore, Sydney, HK, Bangkok, KL etc and they were ok as I was a RA. Thanks for your input.....so I can move forward. I like the idea of someone reviewing my res in advance and making sure I will be treated well...that is not what the gold status does ....as there are no benefits so they dont even bother in advance that I can tell.