You know, it's amazing to me how many Diamonds I encounter who are very poorly behaved.

I had one walk up to the dedicated HH check in line the other day. There happened to be no one standing at that station at that moment. At the same time, a clerk several stations over took someone from the general check in line. The Diamond shouted down "oh, go ahead and take anyone, you b****!"... Luckily for him this particular clerk didn't hear him, because he would not have been staying in our hotel that night. As it is, that little gesture ensured he would not be the Diamond getting upgraded to the sold-out Executive level that night. His traveling companions were visibly quite embarassed by his display.

Compare and contrast to the next person who walked up. He noticed no one was there to greet him, and motioned over to me if it would be ok for him to wait there. He was checked in next, and he got a very nice upgrade.

When you check in to a hotel, you have a choice of how the staff will perceive you. It will directly impact the quality of your stay. If you are rude and embarassing, you will receive the bare minimum acceptable level of service guaranteed to you. If the staff like you, they will go above and beyond, in every single property I've worked. And know that if you are rude to anyone, everyone will know.