OP could have accomplished this in 30 seconds by filling out a webform. Phone calls are for situations where there needs to be a discussion. OP is 100% responsible for wasting his own time. Too bad people like this don't get directed to a 900 number so they can pay for the agent's time !
On a broader note, people kvetch all the time about how various loyalty programs are "devalued". One of the reasons is that there is a finite supply of rooms anybody is willing to dole out as freebies. If points are tossed around for every minor thing, there are still the same # of freebie rooms, just more points chasing those rooms. So more points needed, so devaluation.