I have received some upgrades on reward reservations as SPG Gold, though not very many (<20% of time). Of those times, only the upgrade to a canal view room at the E & R in Venice truly felt like an upgrade. (As opposed to those upgrades to a similar room on a higher floor).

Agree with daveland about HH, I almost always receive an upgrade or executive floor room when staying on an award reservation as HH Gold.

drnp