Since becoming an A|Club Gold I have had two problems with guaranteed availability.

Case #1: Hotel full. Could not book online. Called reservations, they could not book either, said I'd have to call the hotel. Called the hotel (international call), they took my reservation with no problem. Did not even want my A-Plus number or my credit card number to hold the reservation. I have not checked in yet, and an a little anxious as to whether my reservation will be honored. I have no records other than my notes about the phone reservation.

Case #2: Hotel full. Could not book online. Called reservations, they could not book either, said I'd have to call the hotel. Called the hotel (international call), they say they are full and that the guaranteed availability only applies to Favorite Guest, not Gold. I tried to communicate to him that it applies to Gold, per the rules posted on the A|Club web site, but his English was such that he could only repeat that it only applies to Favorite Guest.

Very disappointing experiences. It seems that the guaranteed availability benefit is difficult to exercise.