Okay, so I called the number on the email I got for qualifying for a free weekend night (the VO4 award) to book a room for April 10th at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok. I called 1-888-625-4988. Got an agent who appeared reasonably competent and managed to book the room. As she was finishing up. I asked if she could put in a comment that I was SPG Platinum, and to request an upgrade upon check-in if available. She point-blank refused, and said "free stays are not eligible for any upgrades". I said they were, and she insisted they were not. I then said that I have been Platinum for 4 years, and I know the rules and I know I am eligible for an upgrade on check-in if available on a free stay just like I am on a paid stay, could she please check with with her supervisor if she disagreed? She said no you are not, if you have been upgraded in the past on free stays, it was because the hotel was just being nice. I then told her again to please check with her supervisor (very politely, but firmly), and the next thing I heard: Click. She had hung up on me!

I then called back on the regular Plainum Concierge line, and found out that the reservation had indeed been completed. I told the concierge that I had never been treated so rudely by someone at Starwood before, and he apologised, and said that he would have his supervisor follow-through, as the agents name or ID or whatever was on the reservation.

I must say the Platinum Concierge certainly helped smoothen things out. However, I am just very disappointed that any agent would treat a longtime Platinum this rudely, especially when she is in the wrong but does not want to even try to check her facts!

William -- I will send you a separate note with my confirmation number -- I hope you can help ensure that the agent concerned gets a little coaching.

Thanks for letting me vent, everybody.