I've had good luck emailing GM's before. I usually phrase it as asking for a room well-suited for two adults and two small kids. The result is usually either a corner room or a jr. suite. I try not to make it sound like I'm asking for a huge upgrade...just help me out a little bit with a "desirable" room. That, plus Gold/Plat status, usually yields something fairly good. Whether the email or the status is the main reason for that, I don't know. I've even had good luck doing this as HHonors Gold, which is a wallet-candy status, so I think the email must help a little bit... Assuming it actually gets ready, of course!