Diamond Membership
 

I recently got comped to Hyatt's Diamond membership because of my United 1K, so I decided to try out Hyatt.

Well, so far it's been very disappointing.
In Denver, I was never told that Regency Club was closed and never got upgraded to Regency Club level room.

In San Franciso, they never delievered the Platinum amenity and room was a regular room.

So what is really the benefit of Diamond membership ?



[This message has been edited by ypak2000 (edited 01-08-2001).]

I have had great success with the Diamond membership. The best way to easily realize your upgrade benefit is to call 1-800-CHECKIN (starting at 9am day of arrival). This works for all US locations. I have universally found the phone agents to be pleasant and very helpful. Using this service you are actually checked into the hotel on the phone (and avoid the usual "fight" at the check in desk that seems to occur at many chains). Usually the agents volunteer that the hotel has already blocked an upgrade for me - or they say "I note that you are diamond, let me check for an upgrade". If they don't offer - I'll ask. At hotels without a Regency Club (or where the club is closed on a weekend) I have been upgraded to a suite - although that is not a promised benefit. I've also asked for suite upgrades on a few occasions when I knew the hotel was not sold out, and I was travelling with my family - the representative called the hotel on both occasions and got me checked into a nice suite. I am always presented with a Diamond amenity card at check-in - if you don't get the card then do ask. You can specify what you want (usually a choice of 5 items) and when you want it - it always seems to arrive properly for me. Plus - when they see my kids they usually send cookies and milk too. The other benefits - some additional Gold Passport points, more flexible awards, guaranteed availability etc. are nice - but I mostly enjoy the upgrade and amenity. I wish the upgrade officially included suites though.

I was also a comped Diamond courtesy of CO/Hyatt. I've stayed 3 times. I always call 1 800 CHECKIN and ask for a suite. I am batting 1 out of 3, although one was very full and the other, in Toronto provided a very nice Deluxe Room for about $95US on a weekend. I will try the Hyatt Kowloon the end of the month. So far I'm Ok with it.

I have been Diamond for 4 years. I have always been given a Regency room or access when there is a regency-even when paying UA 50%rate.I was just in Sanctuary cove at $A169 per night and got the champagne/coconut macaroons and regency. Such a great deal!!

I, too, am a 1K who was recently comped. Normally, I ignore these offers (I don't much like the big chains), but, as it happens, I had reservations for two stays at the Park Hyatt in BA, so I had my travel agent give them my new Diamond number.
The first stay was great-- I was comped to Regency and the lounge and staff were lovely. They gave me a bottle of red wine and some fruit. I was impressed.
A week later, I thought I was in a different hotel. The hotel was full, and they were very apologetic that they couldn't upgrade me, tho they gave me access to the lounge. No amenities, including no turndown. My flight home wasn't leaving until late, so I requested a late checkout. They were sorry, but the hotel was still booked, so they would only give me an extra hour. When I got back to the room to finish packing (well within my hour extension), they were already cleaning it and had already thrown out things I wanted. (They were not apologetic, either.) I put all this in their survey form and received a meaningless form letter from the general manager. Guess he really cares about his elite members.
Anyway, I'd been meaning to try the Park Hyatt in LA, and booked there this weekend for my stay #3. I did not know about 1-800-CHECKIN and appreciate the tip. (I assume it's 9am hotel time?) Thanks.

Yes, 9am hotel time:

Call 1-800-CHECK-IN® to receive your room number and confirm a room upgrade, if available, by telephone as early as 9 a.m. local hotel time on the day of your arrival+

+ 1-800-CHECK-IN is available only at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in the continental U.S. and Canada. Guests must call 1-800-CHECK-IN (1-800-243-2546) at least one hour prior to hotel arrival and provide a major credit card for room payment.
http://www.goldpassport.com/dbbe.asp