The vast majority of business travelers who become Diamond, Platinum, whatever at the large hotel chains are traveling on negotiated corporate rates and staying with chains directed by their employers. Their rooms are either paid by corporate direct-bill or by corporate-issued Credit Cards. They seldom pay rack rates, and the negotiated rates are often similar to our crew rates at the nicer places. The only reason they get points and we don't is the perception that the individual traveler picks their hotel, whereas ours is picked by the company.

Incidentally I am top-tier with one of the hotel chains and am far more likely to give them my leisure business (which is substantial) based on being treated well on my crew stays. Food for thought.