It's the luck of the draw, I guess. And not much luck to it, IMHO. If it's high season or a high occcupancy date at a property (regardless of what's happening somewhere else, much less some other country, be it Germany or Guyana), there probably won't be Point Stretcher availability.

And if you get a Diamond award stay during a period when no standard (non-Diamond) award rooms are available, why would they offer you a Point Stretcher? (You do realize, don't you, that HHonors compensates cash to hotels for award stays, directly proportionate to the number of points redeemed?)

So, I'm sorry to say, but IMHO, I think you're out of luck. As a diamond, you get to stay, but you only get a standard reward. Point Stretcher acceptance (indeed, standard award inventory, as well) is entirely up to the hotel's discretion.

An unlikely scenario: you could call the GM and talk them into accepting a Point Stretcher. Good luck.

You may find the thread 2003 Point Stretcher Info Uploaded interesting. FWIW, back in February, NO German properties had ANY point stretchers Jan through Jun.

P.S. You did call, right? Sometimes the website does not have the most up to date information.

P.P.S. If you find yourself dialing Germany from Mesa, AZ, I highly recommend www.1010phonerates.com , showing German rates without monthly fee as low as $0.08 per minute, or $0.04 per minute with a 10 minute minimum.