boboqui - I sympathise. If you don't book a lot of hotels then the rules on loyalty card recognition can be confusing especially because airlines don't have that issue. I made the same mistake myself with a Starwood property a few years ago and it can be doubly confusing because some employers use corporate travel agents to make bookings where your status is recognised (certainly this was the case with my previous employer who used a corporate travel agent to book Accor hotels and all brands except Ibis would recognise status and give loyalty and status points for stays).
It's a frustrating lesson but now you know it and can move on.
1F