Originally Posted by socrates

awards are for the "room type" reserved period

elite status for room types at some brands include "upgrade club/concierge level" REGARDLESS of payment method or method of reservation period

The one doesn't impact the other but both rules are always in effect...to be clear for example... a platinum has a standard room reserved using points, upon arrival the hotel has a concierge level room available, the platinum is to be upgraded to the concierge level rooms

Another example-if the same platinum wants to be guaranteed an upgrade perhaps because it's spring break with high demand in the area, the platinum can either redeem an upgrade award on top of the standard room award or the platinum could pay cash for the upgrade