I don't know how it works, but I think in a situation like this, the comp should work as a payment - i.e. the bill is still for the full amount of the room charge, but the payment is via a "guest comp account" instead of to the guest's personal Visa or Amex. This way the guest would still get the points and night credits for the stay. After all, the guest was prepared to pay for the room when booking, and would have paid if it hadn't been for the issue that caused the hotel to comp the room.

To the OP - I feel for you. I used to deliver boxes of photocopy paper as a part-time job during my university career. The two storey Natural Sciences Building had awful elevators. Most people took the stairs, but when you have fix boxes of photocopy paper, not an option. I once spent an hour sitting in the elevator waiting to get released. At least I was on the company dime at the time, so I was getting paid.

Maybe I should have asked for a free degree?

Just my $0.02.