MilesBuzz! - It's prpbably unethical and I wouldn't do it, but could I?

While searching the websites of both Hilton and Marriott, I noticed that I could find award availability and book it, and then "pay" (get the cert) later. This made me wonder:

Suppose I'm sitting with a couple hundred K points and I want to take a vacation next year, but I'm not sure where or when. So I tiptoe through all the desirable properties, looking for availability, and then locking down the dates. At the end of the night, I've got 34 different bookings of 4 to 7 nights at 12 different properties on 34 different dates. Then I go to bed.

As time passes, my plans become firmer, and finally I pick a date; one of the ones I had locked down. I'm happy.

What about those other "bookings"? Did I in effect lock out award availability for everyone else? I realize that, today, it seems it's all about me, so what do I care about everyone else? I'm sure we could find some lawyers (real and jailhouse-type) who would gladly explain that as long as it's not specifically illegal, why not?

Still, it does seem grossly unethical. Does anyone know if the booking software prevents this sort of thing? I know they'll let you book even if you don't have the points -- typically, you have to have the points at the latest 24 hours before the date, but other than that, is there any way to prevent this sort of shennanigans? Or is it accepted practice?

I though Hilton had changed earlier this year to deduct the points at time of making booking? At least that's been my experience.

While searching the websites of both Hilton and Marriott, I noticed that I could find award availability and book it, and then "pay" (get the cert) later. This made me wonder:

Suppose I'm sitting with a couple hundred K points and I want to take a vacation next year, but I'm not sure where or when. So I tiptoe through all the desirable properties, looking for availability, and then locking down the dates. At the end of the night, I've got 34 different bookings of 4 to 7 nights at 12 different properties on 34 different dates. Then I go to bed.

As time passes, my plans become firmer, and finally I pick a date; one of the ones I had locked down. I'm happy.

What about those other "bookings"? Did I in effect lock out award availability for everyone else? I realize that, today, it seems it's all about me, so what do I care about everyone else? I'm sure we could find some lawyers (real and jailhouse-type) who would gladly explain that as long as it's not specifically illegal, why not?

Still, it does seem grossly unethical. Does anyone know if the booking software prevents this sort of thing? I know they'll let you book even if you don't have the points -- typically, you have to have the points at the latest 24 hours before the date, but other than that, is there any way to prevent this sort of shennanigans? Or is it accepted practice?

This would probably work with Starwoods, but probably not with any other programs. Just b/c a room is available, doesn't mean you can redeem points for it with Hilton and some of the others...

BigLar,

When someone poses moral/ethical questions, inside or outside of FlyerTalk, my first thought is usually: how many MORE people will do this, now that they're being reminded or informed about it for the first time. :p

But, to put my answers to your questions: yes, the person does, in effect, temporarily lock out award availability for everyone else. Unethical? I dunno. Not nice, if done large scale - definitely.

Would I do it or something like it? I haven't it, but maybe I would (and I can legitimately understand others doing it on a limited scale). For most trips, you need a flight and hotel. If both air and hotel award bookings involved non-changeable awards (or fee-based changes), then how the heck would you book a flight without running the risk that the hotel isn't available? As it is, you could book the hotel, work out the flight, then readjust the hotel as needed without extra cost.

Any way to prevent this sort of shennanigans? Yes, but I wouldn't want to see it: fees for cancelling or changing hotel award bookings.

Is it accepted practice? I accept others doing it, because, at least with Hilton, I generally get the room I want, when I want it, so I see no evidence that this impacts my redemption possibilities. Everyone's mileage varies on this, I know.

I had read that on FT. However, last week, an agent allowed me to book an award for Feb 2005 and did not deduct points.

I though Hilton had changed earlier this year to deduct the points at time of making booking? At least that's been my experience.