Someone on Insiders said that the phone agents could do the ressie without attaching points, that they had done that not too long ago. Since we didn't know whether that was done before the new online system went in place, I decided to call to make my annual Grosvenor House reservation on the phone since I already knew based on my earlier test today that the points I did have would get tied up if I booked the award stay online.

The Plat agent made the award ressie without pulling the points. I mentioned I knew I was short but would have them before the stay, but that I didn't want to tie up my points. The person who mentioned it on Insiders was also Plat, so don't know if it's a Plat courtesy or something the agents can do/override the system.

Of course the concern is that since it's now been mentioned on Insiders someone will now send a memo to phone agents telling them not to do it & then the online gaming of the system will have to be the work-around.

Cheers.