I guess I can also report non-success here. Hilton Tokyo.
Early Nov:
Hotel: "Sorry we are fully booked. But (pulling out a tablet and a folder with pictures of rooms) here is a suite you can upgrade to for payment."
Me: "How much?" (but in my head wondering what fully booked means)
Hotel: "It will be ($110) per night and you will have access to the lounge"
Me: "But I already have access to the lounge as diamond. No thank you"
Hotel: "Because you are diamond, we can do a special rate for you..."
I ended this at this point.
Last week:
Hotel: "We are giving you an upgrade to an executive room."
Me: "Isn't that the same room as I booked but with access to the lounge?"
Hotel: "yes, and as diamond you have lounge access already"
Me: "Yes, thank you. So how is that an upgrade?"
Hotel: "That's an upgrade room from what you booked."
Next trip last week of December, Cancelled Hilton and booked Hyatt Regency next door.