I assume they gave me a crew rate? I never said I was a "crew member" I only asked for an airline employee rate. Quite honestly I don't even think I am suppose to be getting my companies negotiated rates for personal use.
Maybe not, but if despite that, you received the crew negotiated rate, then it would seem that the stays would and should not be qualifying stays.
Is it unreasonble for me to think that in the seven times I mentioned my SPG number (4 times while reserving the rooms and 3 times verifiying at check in) that I should have been advised that the rate didn't qualify as a stay?
Perhaps. I always make it a point to make sure my SPG number is on award reservations when I check in so that I get points for incidentals, but not once have I been advised at check-in that the stay is not a qualifying stay. It might be very reasonable for the front desk to assume that this is why you want to make sure your SPG number is on the folio.