Originally Posted by 900at

Thanks for all the responses, many were in line with what I suspected.

As for cost, while it makes sense that short term guests cost more for the hotel, we are talking about $34 per night. Over 4 nights that's $136 and I'm 99.99% sure I'm not going to get $136 in extra benefits. Also, I did not ask them to grant me the 5 day rate for 4 days, I was willing to give them most of the difference back.

As for me, here is my position. I have top level status in 2 chains and mid level in a 3rd. This area has a ton of competition in this immediate area so I have lots of choices which makes their decision even more amazing (and the parking lot looked empty at 6 PM on a Wed night).

So I figure either the hotel didn't want to do business with me, Marriott has some insane policy in little print or their employee training is abysmal and in any case, perhaps I'm not so interested after all. If their training for business is so bad, what else are they not doing at that hotel. Don't need to sleep with one eye open, too many other things to occupy my time ;-)

In a month or so I might drop Marriott a note with dates, nights and spend rate at other hotels and see if the rule really exists or if it is swamp gas in that location. If so, I'll report the response.

At least I can sleep tonight knowing I'm not having brain fade ;-)

Wait, getting a 2nd thought. If they have no guests, they don't need to cook breakfast .... or run the heat .... or have cleaning staff .... or keep the pool clean ...... what an amazing cost savings that would be. It's all clear now!