Starwood Preferred Guest - MSP during RNC in September

I have been staying at the same property for quite some time now.
I tried to book a room during the first week of September and I have been unsuccessful due to the Republican Convention.
I called the Platinum line and I was told there is availability but the rooms are blocked. I talked to someone at the front desk and they do not want to release a room.
I thought that, as a platinum member, I would be guaranteed a room if booked +72 hrs in advance.
Any suggestions?

I have been staying at the same property for quite some time now.
I tried to book a room during the first week of September and I have been unsuccessful due to the Republican Convention.
I called the Platinum line and I was told there is availability but the rooms are blocked. I talked to someone at the front desk and they do not want to release a room.
I thought that, as a platinum member, I would be guaranteed a room if booked +72 hrs in advance.
Any suggestions?


My sense is all rules out the window for the RNC. I do have 5 rooms from 8/29-9/5 at one of the Minneapolis Sheratons- I managed to pick them up a while ago. Not actually even sure if I'm going to use them or stay elsewhere though.

I just talked to someone at the Platinum Desk and they say they can't do an override for those days because it is considered a special event. :td:
We have a large group of people that stay there every week. So much for loyalty I guess...

I just talked to someone at the Platinum Desk and they say they can't do an override for those days because it is considered a special event. :td:
We have a large group of people that stay there every week. So much for loyalty I guess...

While the hotel may show "availability", those rooms may already be spoken for if they're under contract. I've seen special events like this where there's a contract on the rooms, but the lists and confirmations don't happen until quite late.

I have been staying at the same property for quite some time now.
I tried to book a room during the first week of September and I have been unsuccessful due to the Republican Convention.
...I talked to someone at the front desk and they do not want to release a room...
Any suggestions?

Talk to the GM. Make sure they know you're a long time past (and future) guest, and they'll likely take care of you.

The problem you have is the convention has already assigned all the rooms to people. Outside of airline staff (that already have rooms under contract), I don't think you're going to get very far. In addition, most of the nice SPG properties in MSP are VIP locations. There could be a security concern that would override the GMs desire to accommodate you.