I did gently offer some sort of deal with the GM, (afterall, he had been very helpful on the phone and had even contacted Marriott HQ to verify my questions and his answers) but he ultimately said that there just wasn't any way for me to get the nights. Oh well. I am now booked in corporate housing through my client as they can use the MR room nights for someone else who doesn't worry about the elite/reward nights. No loss for them or me on this stay, I just wish it could have worked out in my favor.

On another note, I did just check my MR account and found that the good people at MR upped me to Plat for 2010 out of the goodness of their hearts as I was 15 days short. I realize that this means dilution of the pool, but hey, I'll take it and try to keep it in the years to come.

Thanks Marriott.

John