To be fair, I don't think getting a denial in this situation would necessarily indicate that management sucks and employees aren't trained. It can be pretty disruptive to change rooms mid-stay (shuffling around other arriving guests, addiitonal housekeeping expense,etc). I would guess you'll have more luck right now, given reduced occupancies, but if I was politely denied a move mid-stay (assuming there is no issue with the room I'm in and that it was the "best available" room at the time of check in) then I wouldn't feel too hard done by.