Just FYI....I am still getting calls from DRI asking if I'm ready to book my first "Sampler" trip. After I tell them it was cancelled, they pause for a moment and then say something like "Oh yes, I see that now, I will make sure our system gets updated"... only to call back in a couple weeks. I also kept getting Sampler promotional emails until I unsubscribed. I think they are so just disorganized that the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.
I guess.
I haven't called them back yet (life has been happening, as it is prone to do). However, after two reps left their information, a week or so went by and I then started getting more calls (same number) but with no messages. Plus they call me at ungodly hours, like 6:00 a.m. Today they called at 6:45 a.m. and I decided to answer the phone - and guess what? I heard the exchange in the background (noises, voices, etc), but whoever called hung up without saying anything.
Can you beat that!
Personally I don't think it would affect your agreement with the Sampler UNLESS they somehow categorized it as a Sampler trip and/or used your Sampler points to book the trip Also of concern, I was "awarded" a free trip at our visit as one of our original "rewards", but while we were buying the Sampler they told us that we would not be eligible to take them up on that until AFTER the 2 year Sampler period was over.
Interesting what they do.
I would probably just try to get my $150 back. If you really wanted to book the trip, I would wait until everything is completely finalized with the refund/dispute.
Which has just happened btw. The end of last week the money got plopped back into my account creating a negative balance since Amex has removed the charge pending the outcome of the investigation. I called Amex and they told me that they would re-instate the charge, thus cancelling the credit out. I also asked them if DRI never contacted them would I have won the dispute by default. They said yes, I would have.
Consider the timing of those first two calls I got, though. First the two calls which left information for me to call back but did not get a response from me, and a few days later the money is refunded. It seems too detailed to be an intentional attempt to continue the scam with me. I can't believe they would be functioning at that level of premeditated nasty. I think you're right, they don't know what all their 'parts' are doing. It just looks very bad. The cosmetics are not good. People then draw unfortunate conclusions.
Also be prepared for a 3+ hour session! Unless you just
inform your representative that you have filed complaints about their sales process before, that might "expedite" your visit .
However once they determine your history, they could try to hold back on your reward or charge you "retail" price for the stay as it states in the fine print, by saying that you were not a "qualified prospect" for the offer (I have not experienced this but I have read stories like this).
Thank you for this. I had been wondering about this possibility, in fact. Better just to be done with them. I agree.
For this reason personally I would try to get my $$$ back and RUN! 
I will call one of the reps back to discuss the situation. Hopefully I will get the $150 back, but if not, I can say: lesson learned, and walk on, and feel okay.
The $87.50 each for those two nights was an okay deal (for me as a walk-in given what I got for a room).
BTW I usually do a late walk-in and get great rates. One has to be willing to not get a room, of course, but if one has the flexibility (and I usually do) one can get some great deals. But also my needs are not great. I'm okay with simple rooms, etc. (I don't travel the way TUGgers do, methinks). But recently I got a suite at a Marriott for the price of a walk-in. Three nights. It was great.
P.S. I'll let you know the final outcome of the $150.
P.P.S. And as always, thank you for sharing your street-savvy wisdom,
@izzymail.
