So a run-of-the-mill Candlewood hotel went on point break today. I'm travelling this weekend with my extended family and wanted to book 2 rooms. I successfully booked the first from my wife's account, and then went to book the second in my own account. No availability for the second room, even though I can tell the hotel isn't terribly crowded because they've got all the room categories available to book.

I call IHG and they say there's nothing they can do, and suggest I call the hotel. I do so, and the front desk guy talks to the "revenue manager," who tells him there's nothing he can do -- that "it's all done by the hotel chain and he's only able to allocate 3 rooms, and that third room was booked by your other reservation." Helpfully, as a platinum, he upgraded my rez to a 2-bedroom suite, but that's still not enough bedding for my party.

Does this make any sense? Who exactly is limiting redemption to only 3 rooms, and is this common in the chain? I haven't previously had a problem booking award rooms in a non-full hotel. It's obviously a PITA for me, and a disappointment for others who reasonably might expect to be able to use their award points at a hotel that has plenty of rooms.