Phoenician Platinum Upgrade Problems

[pilot]

Recent Experience regarding a platinum upgrade "discussion" at the Phonenican:

Upon check-in I was told that there were no suites available. Having a hunch that this was suspicious, I pulled out my laptop in the lobby and searched spg.com for the period of my stay. To my non-surprise I found that there were at least 4 different types of suites available and bookable.

I went back over the the front desk and explained what I was found. I was told again, that there was nothing available for my mere 2-night stay. This time, I pulled out my laptop in front of the desk employee and showed him the multiple types of suites. At that point, his story changed.

Somehow, he magically found me a suite. The "lowest" category of suite that was showing online. I inquired further why he couldn't accomodate me in the higher class of suite and was told it was not available. (Just to note, I am not discussing named suites or President suites that are excluded from the upgrade policy).

I kept pressing and finally asked:
"What if I am to book this higher class of suite online to prove that it is available"
He responded:
"Well then you can stay at in that higher class of suite since you will have booked it"
I said:
"Ok, I'm assuming my rate would remain unchanged?"
he said:
"No, you will be at the new rate that you just booked" ($750 higher than my current rate)
I said:
"Well if it's available to book, shouldn't I be upgraded to the best room available as a platinum"
He said:
"Well it's not available"

Utterly baffled at how it was not available but is available, I gave up. The room we received was quite nice (after much arguing), I'm sure the top class suite available would have been nicer... It's just an awkward place to put a guest to have to argue with the room and "prove" that something is available before the front desk does anything! I don't believe the policy is supposed to work like that.

Have other's had this experience?