[QUOTE]Originally posted by GDIW:
[B]We then tried to arrange a last minute points stay at the same property the next month. I was surprised that even with rooms available we were not allowed to use points to pay for them. I may misunderstand, but thought that as Diamond there were no blackout nights for awards. This was not a special event time and there were rooms available for paying customers. Does anyone know if they have changed the rules or if I was misinformed by two different Diamond phone line people??

Thanks,
GDIW

Should have mentioned that they claimed that a 48 hour advance reservation was required to use the points? I had never heard that before and thought it only applied to guaranteed reservations.

[QUOTE]

I think your problem was the last minute booking .. I had to use the UK Diamond Desk to clear a GLON award with ES San Diego Downtown (same situation over award availabilty) and the person on the desk stated it would take them 72 hours to authorise (not unreasonable give the time difference between UK and US).

The confirmation email I received after 3 days mentioned that the award stay was not to be 'paid' by certificate but some form of confirmation letter from the UK desk .. leaving me to believe that some deal was done outside the usual award mechanism which might explain the time needed (in terms of authorisation etc).