Originally Posted by PremEx
I think this is just to discourage Plats from expecting an upgrade in an obviously already sold-out situation.
But if they've oversold lower catagory rooms (like airlines do with Economy) and are playing musical rooms with room types, I would bet that as a Platinum you would still be offered an upgrade if it was available at check-in, despite what the policy states. In fact, having paid full rack rate, I wouldn't be surprised if it increased your change of an upgrade in many cases.
My experience today seems to agree with your interpretation, PremEx. I was already staying at the Four Points Darling Harbour in Sydney, but was scheduled to move this morning to the Marriott Circular Quay because the 4P was sold out for tonight. On Friday, however, I invoked the 72 hour guarantee. (Well, okay, technically I invoked it yesterday, but that's a longer story.) The net effect? The only room they could clear for me was a Darling Harbour suite -- either the 2nd or 3rd best room in the house. (The best room in the house was the room which was referred to at separate times as either the President's Suite or the Governor's Suite... Room 1101... which was my home for the previous three nights. And wow, what a room!)
Bottom line? I think hotels that try to cater to Platinum members (we've all realized, I think, that some hotels really do care where others meet the minimum guidelines grudgingly) will do what they can to find you the best possible room, where those others will stick you in the basement if at all possible just to prove that all you get is a room and you have to pay full price.
What's the recommendation, then? Well, don't expect too much on a Plat Guarantee booking, but if you happen to get lucky as I did (no, not THAT kind of lucky!) then enjoy! (And, as I intend to do tomorrow, thank the people who gave you the luxury of upgraded accomodations...)