Goldorak

During Q1, I didn't see any difference being Diamond compared to Platinum, with the noticeable exception of a stay in Dubai. Q2 was a complete write-off due to France lockdown and all the travel restrictions. Since mid-year with travel resumption within Europe, I have seen a much better treatment in several hotels :
- systematic upgrade (no need to bargain and hear bad excuses)
- bottle of champagne or wine offered in room with nice snack platters
- early check-in and late check out (I mean real ones like checking-in early morning and checkout at 5 or 6 pm). For this, we are of course helped by the lower occupancy in Covid time.

CanadaDH

I'm not sure how to make a prediction on whether treatment as a Diamond will be better. I can't say that I've had better treatment as a Diamond member, but then, I've only ever been a Diamond member since the tier was added. I'm not sure it's a fair comparison to my days as Platinum, because at the time I was Platinum, it was the highest tier available at the time. I'd be interested to hear from someone who spent a year or two (non-COVID) as Platinum but after Diamond was added, and then spent a year or two as Diamond (again, non-COVID). We need more time to get those experiences and reports.

This year it's even more difficult to say, with occupancy being so low everywhere. I've been proactively given 6 PM checkouts on my stays this year, but then with COVID protocols forcing the room to sit empty for 2 days between guests, and occupancy being so low, I'd be more surprised if they didn't give a late checkout, and not just for Diamond members. That should be easy for most hotels to offer right now.

I've found that the quality of my welcome amenities seems to vary by property. I regularly get a couple of bottles of wine in the room at the Chateau Lake Louise, and have so for years. At other hotels that I frequent, I've never received a bottle of wine. I attribute those benefits to the specific hotel and not my membership status.

As for upgrades on arrival, even as a Diamond, I don't think I've ever had one.

patty canuck

I was recently told I was a “D1” and the top level of Diamond is D5.

How are these decided? I cannot imagine the “black” level, but if someone wants to explain those too, I’m sure there is an audience

Goldorak

not sure at all but it’s maybe linked to the number of status points you earn. For instance, at 26k, you’re D1, 30K = D2, etc

beefyT

That's interesting. I wonder if there'd be a lot more D3, D4, D5s this year because of the rollover and double points granting.

Goldorak

compared to a regular year, I doubt it very much.

Keyaki

Thanks for sharing this information,
According to the Accor app, I should currently be at D-2, and the thing is, I'm currently at around 57k Status points.(Since last year's points were brought forward)
I am already in quite deep with Accor and I cant imagine what kind of spending a D-5 would have, much less a Black.

I am still unable to post a link or picture here as I am new, but there is a way to see which D rank you are based on the Accor app.
Sometimes, you would be able to see availability for hotels that are currently still closed on the Accor app. If so, you would only see a single rate called "ALL Guaranteed Room D-1/2/3/4/5", no other rates would be available. I remember that I used to see mine being D-1, now it shows D-2.
By the way, I tried booking this "ALL Guaranteed Room" at a hotel that was currently still closed, and the hotel just called to let me know that since they are still closed, they would have to cancel my booking.

CanadaDH

Other than one post on here, about some anecdotal comments made at a hotel, I've never heard of a D1 vs. D2, etc., or where you would even be able to see said classification.

Where in the app are you seeing this?

Keyaki

I will be more specific, try searching Bangkok, 6 October - 7 October, Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort, click into ‘see room rates’ and just click into ‘see rates’ of any rooms.
To my knowledge, this hotel is currently used as a Quarantine facility and it shouldn’t have availability for you to make a reservation, but somehow they are offering rooms on the app. The rate name should be something like “ ALL Guaranteed Room D-__”
I would post a screenshot of what I see, unfortunately I am not able to as I am still new here

patty canuck

This is a dummy booking for the Fairmont Pittsburgh for a few days in March. I have 66k+ status points at the moment … large part due to the double status point bonus

R2

I'm a Platinum member and I am offered the same D-2 rate at this hotel.

Goldorak

I think this is just D as in Day. D-2 means 48hrs advance booking.

CanadaDH

I can confirm that's not related to Diamond. I did a search under my account, and see the same results as you. I logged out of my account, and see no availability. I then logged in as my wife, who is only ALL Platinum, and I again see the Guaranteed "D-2" rates. It's got nothing to do with your level of Diamond, or even just for Diamond members at all.

I think Diamond is Diamond, and that's that. If there are internal sub-tiers within that, then I've never seen it.

nrouxel

You are right. Gold members get D-3 garanteed room

patty canuck

I'm cool with that - again, it was brought up independently at two different properties without me starting the conversation so I thought I would ask here on Flyertalk.