Would have immediately called Marriott Platinum Line while at the counter and also asked to see manager. Would now ask customer service for goodwill points from hotel. Don't expect to be always upgraded, but if checking in and being asked to pay for a loyalty perk that is available, at that point the hotel is admitting that they do not follow loyalty rules, so would get customer service involved. Makes no difference length of stay, once elite is being asked to pay for upgrade that is available, then hotel is wrong imho. Long term platinum member being asked to pay for loyalty perk at checkin deserves goodwill points from hotel so they don't continue this practice imho.