This statment basically encapsulates a common misconception here with regard to reward stays

I am always amazed at the seeming lack of understanding shown on this board regarding the Diamond Special Request.

1) Depite the ability to often obtain an award room at a hotel there is nothing listed in the T & C with regard to award stays. The information mentioned and quoted with the 48 hours gaurantee is FOR PAID STAYS where the room rate is usually of the order of the Rack rate.

Although many of us who have made the request for award stays and been successful this a hidden and "special benefit" of the HH program.

2) The DD cannot force a hotel into grantiing such a request. The process involves a much higher than normal cash offer to the property ( sometimes higher than even the rack rate) which it either accepts or not. If the offer is refused thats the end of the story.

Not sure why some here think the advice of calling over and over is at all useful. If the hotel is going to grant the SR they might be forced to walk another guest. If there are no nearby rooms to walk a reservation the request
quite rightly will be denied.

The above procedure is exactly why the response/approval is often not communicated to the member for up to week or so.
Calling the property directly is unlikely to yield a more favorable result.

3) When a SR is able to be submitted for an award, the 48 hours rate will be reflected on your confirmation until the request is approved. At that time the
appropriate amount of points will be deducted from your account