nlkm9

a few years ago I stuck at a call and realized I was going to have to stay the nite where i was and was not going to make it to my next destination-I called to cancel and I must have had the rudest rep ever, who stated that this was a "one time" deal and I was allowed one cancellation in my lifetime(lol!). I was working for someone at the time who would have absolutley made me pay for that nite and it still sticks with me 4 years later how awful that rep was. but yes, since then diamond desk is great.

brkandjfk

Not everyone's experience is the same, clearly. Having been gold for about six months, and then diamond for the next three years (to now), I can count on one hand how many times I've been upgraded. My stays are in the US, and I generally try to book at DT, ES, or Hilton properties unless I don't have a choice. HI is my least favorite, and HGI is second, but still ok.

One caveat, I'm nearly always on a Gvt. rate, and I believe that this is why I don't receive upgrades. (No confirmation, however.)

Frankly if there was one improvement in the entire process that I would hope for, I'd say it's just looking at (maybe even for 5 seconds) the requests that are on each reservation when it's assigned to a room. (In my case, foam pillows.) This seemingly silly little detail is a significant one for me, and I have yet (in about 3.5 years since I moved to HHonors) to experience a stay where this was accommodated upon arrival. (including when I went in and 'requested' them via their online checkin form...)

As for differences between Gold and Diamond - I never saw a difference. I've never used Diamond Force, so that may make a difference.

eRRRRRFDS105633

as a 13 year HH Diamond - I really question the value of the program at times. I would say I'm rarely acknowledged as a Diamond member on any check in by the desk clerk. When they do read the card, "thank you for being a Diamond member..." I willl occasionally ask if they even know any of the qualifiers to earn diamond distinction and I've yet to find any desk clerk that knows anything more than "you must travel a lot to Hilton properties." I rarely get a room upgrade even when every grade of room at a property shows availability. Most of the properties don't have a HH lounge and those that do have limited hours and awful/limited food. It would be nice if HH would put some teeth in the program, fine the hotels that ignore the rules - it would be easy to send in secret travelers from Hilton corporate. They'd soon find that the properties consider the HH program to be a burden rather than a marketing tool.

smmrfld

There are numerous other threads on this exact topic. Mods, please delete or merge this thread.

jerry a. laska

Have a look at these comments and opinions:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ond+worth+gold
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...rences-26.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ond+worth+gold
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ond+worth+gold
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ond+worth+gold
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...overrated.html

CMK10

I'm happy with Diamond so far. 4 Stays this year, 2 upgrades. Plus, when I had an issue with a hotel they gave me 1,000 bonus points and a full refund for my unhappy stay.