Maybe I'm not completely familiar with the award room policy, but.....

The web site shows the W Union Square as having a 'wonderful' room available for an internet prepaid rate of $409 for 12/5 and 12/6. When calling to redeem award points, the hotel is classified as 'sold out' and no point redemption available. I advised the agent that there are 'standard' rooms (a wonderful room is quite standard, by the way) for internet prepaid rates via spg.com, so why wouldn't one be available for points? She didn't have an answer other than, "those aren't available for award redemption".

I thought the policy was that if a hotel was out of 'standard' rooms (i.e. only suites and specialty rooms available), then there would be no award redemption. Please clarify!