What you describe has also been my experience with Marriott, Accor, Hilton and Hyatt. In the past they awarded points if your account number was listed and/or you made the reservation but now you have to be physically present to receive credit.

My family members used to travel, put my loyalty number in their reservation then I got the points; not anymore.

The only "exception" that I have experienced lately was at a Mercure in Singapore, where I checked in with my wife, stayed two nights, flew to other countries while my wife stayed in Singapore, then she checked out a few days later and met me at the airport. I received credit for all of the nights even though I was only physically present for two of the nights. I had planned to return to the hotel and spend a few nights but this was in March 2020. When I landed at Changi I was not allowed into the country because the new Covid restrictions started at 11:00 p.m. the night before. I did not intentionally not return to the hotel.

Maybe hotels now only monitor this on checkin?