Total BS. As I posted in another thread (apologies, don't remember where), in April at the Osaka Marriott we were told that the rate (part of a tour, apparently booked through 3rd party travel agent) was ineligible for earning points, or Platinum arrival gift as points, but were given full lounge access (which is all I cared about) and Platinum arrival gift as food and beverage.
On the same trip there was the award stay at the Renaissance Hong Kong, no issue with getting lounge access with a rate of 0.