Originally Posted by
buylowsellhigh
Even though I never ask for upgrades...
This could be part of your problem. It can't hurt to write ahead and/or to ask at check-in. Perhaps a hotel is supposed to upgrade you to a suite without your asking, if there is in fact availability - in which case, I'm certainly not defending it not doing so. But whether as a matter of oversight or deliberate policy, a desk agent is less likely to do so if you don't ask.