Thats not been my experience as a PLT. I'm almost always upgraded and my rate is always government rate. I can't think of a time I've never been on C-Level or had lounge access at a Marriott or a Ren. And for the most part I'm given a room on the C-Level. I also had a weekend stay using points at the Downtown Chicago Ren and was given the larger corner rooms, even with using points. So I think your situations are property specific.