At a Doubletree (sorry!) in Bangkok they asked at the lounge desk if they could take my photo to circulate to staff on this and subsequent visits. I found the idea a little creepy, and declined: whether they went ahead by indirect means I have no idea.

I've never received a formal request for photos anywhere else. But i note a contact at the IC Warsaw messaged me to say she seen me on the VIP arrivals list, and looked forward to saying hello. VIP, indeed . Sadly, my promotion to that elevated status made no material difference to my stay: perfectly nice, but I still had the mini-battle to get one of my preferred rooms. And i was blessedly spared personal greetings from strangers.