The card you are given at check-in is to advise you of the possibilities for using Starpoints for Instant Hotel Awards, among which is the potential to upgrade to a suite. It doesn't necessarily mean that a suite is available at the time you check in.
This hotel is historically one of the very best when it comes to Platinum recognition. Search any other thread and you will see that this is true.
As for what happened to venk this time around, I have no idea. If venk would like for me to check, he/she can send me the details of the stay, including whatever may have been said to him at check-in that may have lead to his/her assumption that the hotel is playing the rate card when it considers room/suite upgrades.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]