The way around this (works for me) is to cash in points for Marriot Cheques (135,000 points gives you $1,000.00). The benefit of doing it this way is you get credit and points for staying; which in effect reduces the point cost and may even end up being cheaper than paying with all points. I just booked a two bedroom villa in St. Thomas and will pay for the stay with the cheques. I end up using 5,000 more points this way, but since I have had no luck to date getting the villa on points so this is the next best option.