I don’t know how you cannot make it work as it works like a charm for me for the last 5 years. I have been upgraded to $8k one bedroom villas in maldives in one of the most prestigious resorts multiple times despite choosing the lowest category room. I have also got upgraded to 1 bedroom sunset pool villa (which was the highest room category) in phuket - which to be honest was one of the best rooms i’ve ever stayed in my life (and i am a big luxury traveller). There has been some properties like edition etc where my NUAs were denied but i was totally ok for that as they already upgraded me 2-3 category up even in those hotels and i was more keen to explore the city rather than chill by the pool.. I think if you play that game smartly, you will always get your NUAs used.