Nobody should be penalized because their flight came in late, and typically, that is already accounted for because most resorts don't allow for a cancellation of the reservation 24 hours or more prior to the day of arrival. The late arriving plat has already effectively paid for the room, their card will be charged, and it makes sense the room is "held" for them.

Just to be totally clear, I have every reason to expect plats are getting the better rooms as part of the benefit, and would totally understand being displaced by them (as I probably displaced some golds for the two years I was plat).

The situation I am describing, however, is not as simple. When I was plat (last two years), there was no holding back. As a gold, I've recenty found I've been given a one-class upgrade, told no availability is available for rooms better than that. However, a silver or general member could still come in and purchase those "not available" upgraded rooms since they are still available for purchase right on the website. This is where the lying at the front desk comes into play. It seems, that the benefit , as it exists at many properties, is tiered so that golds aren't given the full benefit in the event a paying silver or general member who hasn't yet checked-in might want to pay for the best available upgrade.

A simple solution would be to be forthright and honest, and downgrade the current benefit for golds. At least you would know what you were getting...a one-class upgrade at properties with more than two-classes of rooms. I'm sure there are plenty of golds who would pay for the next class room anyway, so maybe the benefit could also be receipt of an elite discount on the next level upgrade. Leave "best available room" for the plats.

This solution could also benefit silvers, if some form of upgrade discount was available to them to get any form of upgrade, which currently isn't a benefit to them at all.