The talk of (no or) "very few" "standard rooms" at a property is rather amusing. In this game-the-customer world of doublespeak, "standard" has become a reference to that which is not standard, and, meanwhile, that which is standard gets categorized as "not 'standard'" -- all because Starwood and/or the hotel find it beneficial to game-the-customer in this way.

It's not surprising that folks are experiencing frustration with being at the receiving end of what they recognize to be marketing doublespeak. Yes, SPG customers are experiencing this frustration where the hotel's standard (read: most common) accommodations are not categorized as standard rooms for award redemption purpose. It's a game hotels are playing, and it's a very customer-unfriendly game -- more evident at higher-end luxury properties where the standard rooms are suites.