Most properties actually do pre-assign rooms and will have a package ready for certain HVC's (as opposed to merely "elite").

But, the problem is that there are enough people out there with legitimate needs to make changes and DYKWIA's who don't have a legitimate need, but still demand it, that stuff gets changed around.

Practically speaking, you may do better in terms of room assignment if you make a personal connection with the FD person, take care of him at holidays and the like. OTOH, you may not care about the room you get and value the 45 seconds it takes even more.

I don't know any property which simply lets customers grab keys without monitoring. If it's a tour group, it may be the tour organizer or a meeting planner, but someone is watching the keys walk out.