I learned something in a phone call today with the platinum concierge. I needed to book a hotel that was on its way to being sold out. No standard rooms were available for points, cash, or cash and points. Paid rates were high due to only higher level rooms being available. The website suggested that I call to see what could be done with points.

First, I was surprised to learn there is now cash and points for higher level rooms. I suppose this has been discussed here, but if I knew, I had forgotten. Here is the comparison:

Normal (not available for night in question)
Points: 10,000 points
Cash and points: 5,000 points plus $75

Premium room:
Points only: 11,500 points
Cash and points: 5,750 points plus $110

Now, here is where it gets goofy. The points booking would be non refundable. (I was looking at a date roughly 2 weeks out.) The cash and points booking could be cancelled til 24 hours in advance. I went with the latter because I am hoping that space will open up elsewhere. This is an insurance booking should that not happen.