Again, I'm not an expert in NC law and nobody else here is. That's why the starting point is to figure that out. With a 16.25% aggregate in taxes, on a $150 room, that's $24/day or $6,000/year.

As to points, whether you get them for the stay or you negotiate them, bear in mind that everything is a negotiation. You may find that they simply comp you the status you seek.

The key is not to look at this as a hotel reservation, but as a negotiation.