My Sheraton stay this past weekend was okay. We were only in the hotel briefly to change for a wedding and then sleep. Upon check-in, the very nice woman at the reception welcomed me. I mentioned that I had a very nice corner room on the 6th floor during my last stay(2 years ago). She said that no room had been blocked for me, but attempted to get me up on 6. As she tried to switch my room, she said - "oh, the computer won't let me upgrade you because of the rate you're paying". I was on an $85 AAA rate, booked through SPG. The standard endless weekend rates were $89. So, this made no sense. But she was deteremined to make it work so she said "let me change the rate type and see if it lets me move you". That worked, and we were given a room up on 6. But all the corner rooms throughout the hotel were already booked, so it was a newly renovated one with plenty of space.

Another interesting thing was that when I asked for the breakfast coupon, she said that, too, is usually not given on my "rate". Does AAA have some sort of stigma attached to it?! But, she was very professional and accomodating and wrote a coupon up for us.

So, here's my concern - She knew I was platinum as soon as I gave her my name and she looked up my reservation. She immediately gave me the amenity choice card. So, knowing that I was Plat., I was surprised to hear her say that the club floor and weekend breakfast buffet is not given to my rate. Is this what they're training their people to say/do?

If I had not read, on this site, that they have a weekend buffet breakfast in lieu of the club, I wouldn't have known to ask. So, how many other Plats on cheap rates were denied this benefit? And, does the weekend staff not do a pre-block in the morning? The room they had originally held for me was 470-right next to the stairwell and elevator.

And, I'm glad we did get the coupon. The Sunday buffet is $15/person! It had a choice of hot and cold foods and was mediocre, at best.