Originally Posted by
Dark Blue
Well, you are Diamond, probably never know the big gap (yes, the perk difference is not huge). I also used to have the highest status when Diamond was not introduced, the "current" Platinum is far from the "old" Platinum - often no welcome letter/amenity, a little status recognition, hardly upgraded, etc. But Diamond is now the highest, it's understandable.
I have not yet stayed as Gold, but travelled with a colleague who had Gold (and I was Platinum). The colleague was treated like a "non member", the agent never mentioned his status/or acknowledged his membership, whilst I was being checked in next to him as Platinum. I received a letter, etc. as well as a room upgrade.
Also, I normally stay at Sofitel's, so no lounge access is also a big loss.
So your concern, which you describe as "miserable", is a staff member not mentioning your status when you check in? That's a strange definition of misery. I couldn't possibly care less if the hotel thanked me for being a diamond member. Normally, they don't, and I probably wouldn't want them to. The hotel should be treating all guests well, and if they don't, then it's a problem with that hotel. All I care about with the status is that they deliver on the tangible benefits, as meagre as they are with Accor, like the drink vouchers, dining vouchers, breakfast where applicable, having my points post correctly, etc. It's a transactional program.