Originally Posted by
ninjalot
Not an instant diamond, I became diamond via the fast track promo in May (instant Platinum till 12/2022 + Diamond till 12/2023 after 15-nights), and I've largely had positive experiences over 40+ nights stays (even when I was platinum) in Europe, Asia and Australia mostly staying at Indigos, IC, HI and a couple of CP. IC and CP are the ones where I wasn't upgraded, but I've since gotten Amb and I'll probably just avoid CP in future. I've planned 40-70 nights next year, mostly IC, Indigos and HI. Will give it another year.
Can you share an example re: guaranteed room availability not being honored?
That's good to hear, I was thinking I was having a bad run of it
And sure, I checked in for a four night stay at an Intercontinental in Tokyo and requested an extra night as the purpose of my stay had changed. Front desk instantly rebuffed as they were full. I wasn't fully aware of the benefit so I went to my room and returned later to speak to a supervisor who said the same thing. When I mentioned the benefit I was told along the lines of "it's full so there's nothing we can do". It was my understanding given it was >72 hours until 'check in' that I could utilise the benefit then. I gave res a call and didn't get anywhere either, so I went and stayed somewhere else for the final night.
My stays have all been at Intercontinentals, and the hotel I frequent on a week/fortnightly basis is a Voco - that was the only hotel that gave me an upgrade, and coincidentally on the last of a long string of bookings (when I'd decided it was no longer worth it to stay there, and return to my old regular in that city).