WhitFam2412

I have been a diamond member for almost a year now and have never received the suite upgrade. Without out fail we are always immediately told the hotel is full(without checking) or "we've already given you a preferred room." We are always made to room that we're asking for the moon.<br /><br />Has anyone else had a better experience?

sdsearch

At what sort of properties? Wyndham FS, Days Inn, or something in between?

Seat 2A

I hear you, WhitFam. As a fellow Diamond, it's been my experience that most properties are unaware of the Diamond level perks.

In November, I stayed at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Frisco, CO and they'd already upgraded me to a suite by the time I checked in.
Additionally, upon request the HoJo's PDX Airport has also upgraded me. Also, upon request, I was upgraded at the Ramada Downtown Anchorage.

All of the other properties I've stayed at since becoming Diamond (about a dozen of them) have claimed to know nothing of the upgrade perk. Worse, I've asked a number of front desk agents if my Diamond status even shows up in my reservation and they've either been unaware that status ever was in reservations or they were unable to find it.

It's an extremely inconsistent benefit that Wyndham Rewards would do well to replace with something like extra points.

Unfortunately here at Flyertalk, you and I may be the only Diamond members (or at least the only ones who care enough to post about this). I assume the other Diamonds - if there are any - either can't be bothered to add their two cents or are hokey "Go along, get along" types too timorous to speak up. Either way, the chances of any real acknowledgement and positive change coming about as a result of this thread would appear to be minimal at best.

ItsAnAdventure

At least you guys have a leg to stand on when it comes to requesting a suite. Over at Choice, the T&C for Diamond upgrades specifically exclude Suites. Have either of you tried following up with the "Diamond Concierge Desk"? I'm purely curious to see how/if they'd back you up in a situation like that, given how cut and dry the T&C at Wyndham are about giving Diamonds a suite upgrade.

DaveH

Fellow Diamond here. I got a suite for the asking at the very affordable Wild Wild West Days Inn Casino in Vegas--actually not a bad spot at all, with a friendly staff.

I have not tried bringing this benefit up with the Diamond desk, but I will say that that desk has been generally responsive on other issues, like fixing promotion points...with almost no hold time, either.

AKpirate

Another Diamond here - I frequently get upgrades (never tried Choice) and love the program....a few hotels don't have a clue - usually get upgrades there anyway (after waiting for them to verify program with the Diamond desk).

ItsAnAdventure

Got matched over to Wyndham Diamond and can report back the following so far. I have yet to be proactively recognized as Diamond (or thanked for being a Diamond member), but at the three properties that had suites that I was interested in - I was able to get suites all times by asking.

Days Inn - Williston, ND - asked if suites were available, was told yes for a charge. Politely reminded the front desk that I was a Diamond member, and her coworker interjected, agreed, and was upgraded to suite. Later saw her reviewing some sort of Wyndham Rewards pamphlet.

Wingate by Wyndham - Fargo, ND - asked if suites were available, was told yes. FD girl was fairly new, and asked if I was a "Silver" member. I told her no, I'm Diamond, and she did some clicking and was able to upgrade me. (Great suite by the way, had a fireplace, nice touch in a cold North Dakota winter...) Of note - they also had a nice goody bag and hand-written welcome note as their welcome amenity.

Days Inn - North Sioux City, SD - asked if suites were available, was told for an upcharge. Told the front desk that I was a Diamond, and upgraded to suite with no issue.

This is like night and day compared to Choice, where not only do the T&Cs exclude upgrades to suites - but their appreciation of my loyalty on a corporate level literally extends to a one sentence script read to me from a call center in the Philippines somewhere. And the "welcome amenity" is rarely more than a bottle of water.

pwd847

What are the best brands to stay at to get an upgraded room? I am very centraly located in IL, and have a lot of choices when it comes to weekend travel. I may base my decision on where I can go to get a suite! Caesars/Wyndham Diamond by the way.

Is the number to the diamond desk on the Wyndham rewards website? Might as well have that pulled up and ready to go before I walk in the hotel.

Also I like the idea of asking if suites are available before saying that I am diamond. That prevents any tomfoolery from happening on the hotel side.

ItsAnAdventure

While I have no experience with them at all, if I was looking for a cool suite I'd try The Alexander (it's a Dolce Hotel, affiliated with Wyndham) down in Indianapolis, or the Wyndham Grand in Downtown Chicago. Let us know how it goes!

pwd847

Just a DP from this weekend. I checked in to Howard Johnson Inn & Suites in Springfield, IL today. Before checking in I called the Wyndham Diamond phone # to ask "what is the best way to let the front desk person know that I am Diamond, and I am entitled to a free suite upgrade." The phone rep basically said to ask if there are any suites available BEFORE saying that I am Diamond, and if they don't upgrade, to just call the Wyndham Diamond phone #.

So I did that and the property didn't give me the upgrade. I called Wyndham and Wyndham in turn called the property. After talking to the property rep for a few mins the guy said he gave me the suite. I apologized for the inconvenience and the property rep said, "It's not your fault." I'm glad that he was able to recognize that. This sort of situation can always turn out to be very awkward.

sdsearch

[deleted - sorry, wrong thread]

Seat 2A

Clearly, Wyndham corporate needs to put out some kind of advise or directive to its various properties with regard to this benefit. And - if recognizing the status of its guests is truly important to them, they might well improve/enhance how that status shows up in a reservation. Having chatted with corporate on a couple of unrelated matters, I get the sense that with the exception of the very highest levels, things are a bit discombobulated over there.

pwd847

To be honest, I don't mind it being this way. Many diamond members don't know that they are entitled to an upgrade and that ensures that I will get mine! Obviously not the best business practice though...

WhitFam2412

Thanks for all the feedback. I am looking to cash in a fair amount of points to stay at the grand bonnent creek near disney world. Really want to get the most bang for my points buck. Ill do the suite inquiry and diamond desk to push.

pwd847

I need to know if there is a way that I can book this Days Inn in my girls name (I would also stay there), and have her get the stay credit, but I also would be able to exercise my diamond benefit to get us a suite.

Any way to do this?