Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
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Posts: 7,795
If you mean that the cost of servicing a room post departure of guest is more time consuming and costly than a regular room servicing for a multiple night stay then the differences are relatively marginal (I'm quite familiar with back of house ops, rev mgmt, operating costs etc.) though things like bed sheets and towels and all will need to be changed upon departure that may otherwise be used for 2-3 nights and a final room clean has a few extra steps (if done according to operating manual / guidelines).
It is possible, but would surprise me if that is the motivation. As you said, compensation for rooms (unless 95% or higher occupancy) is not super awesome so only allowing multiple nights in a place like Japan maybe they hope to make more money on F&B as nothing is included in reward nights? No idea, a bit of a head scratcher still. YMMV.