One problem with making "points reservations" at hotels is that you usually are restricted to the lowest category of room. So if you want the next category up -- whether it be a better view, a mini-suite, slightly larger room, etc, you are out of luck.

There is a simple way around this, which I have found works nearly 100% of the time.

Simply call the local property, tell them that you were trying to book the particular room type you wanted, but that the points reservation online would only allow you to book the lowest type (which is almost always the case). Ask, "Is there anything you can do about this?" If they say no, repeat what you're looking for and offer to pay the difference between the two categories.

In most cases, they will just end up upgrading you for free, especially if you are nice to them throughout the call.

This isn't even a matter of being cheap. If you are booking with points, there really isn't a way to book rooms above the bottom category in most cases.

Rather than just accepting this, the local property will usually take care of you if you call in the manner I described.

This tends to work universally across all brands.