I have had good luck asking for things when needed. Two bedroom upgrade at RI last weekend, room on the quiet side nearly every stay, etc. I think that my luck has something to do with the status, so for me it seems to matter.

But I agree, if you show up silent, you get zip. Even when asking, it takes a couple of tries...the 2 BR at RI took me three calls (day before, morning of, and prior to arrival) but in the end I got it. I have never once had a hotel just give me a suite on arrival.