CJ I think you are being unfair to the OP by creating a false dichotomy between no blackout dates and unlimited availability (attributing the latter position to the OP). I read and reread DFW DL's post and I do not see evidence that they thought it was suppose to be unlimited availability (which implies they'll even give you an award night after they are already fully booked).

I believe if you go back and look at the language of the announcement by Marriott with language like our calendar is wide open and touting the enhancements it sure did sound like there was going to be a lot more availability than in the old program. And you may recall that Marriott Concierge (sincerely I believe) posted that any time there were standard rooms available there had to be a significant number of award rooms available (I'll try to find it and link to the exact language). There were suppose to be only a handful of properties that were allowed to further restrict award room availability and these were still suppose to be easier to book award rooms than before. It sure sounded to me (and I don't think I was the only one) like this new system was going to allow one to book an award room about 98-99% of the time a standard room was bookable.

I have not had to look for award nights much since January. Are you yourself seeing that it is a lot easier to book your award nights for your preferred nights this year than it has been in past years?