Summer is fast approaching and there might be some people out there who are just now thinking of cashing in their hotel points for a summer weekend vacation. This might come as old news for some FFs but I think this is worth sharing.

When you call the central reservations number to book a room using your hotel points, don't give up just because you were told that the inventory for reward stays have all been reserved. Call the property directly and ask for the local reservations office.

Just last week, I called HH's 800 number to book a PTS-3 stay at the Millenium HH in NY for July. I was told that there were no rooms available for reward stays. When I called the property directly, I got the free rooms just like that! Same thing with the Breckenridge MC for January 2000. I had to call the property directly to get a confirmed reservation.

Second tip: Once you book the reservation, ask for a written confirmation (fax or mail).