Hi all - Looking for some input on a policy I was shocked to learn about yesterday. I had to cancel a reward stay for this weekend after the stated cancellation policy, due to flight cancellations in the northeast. Anticipating the cancellation I reached out to Marriott Customer Care, who entail called the property to see if they would allow the cancellation. The property indicated they would allow me to change my dates and honor the reward stay, but would not honor a flat out cancellation and if I had to cancel - THE CANCELLATION PENALTY WOULD BE ONE NIGHT AT THE "BEST AVAILABLE RATE" FOR THAT NIGHT".

Marriott Customer Care was very pleasant on the phone, but was unable to answer my question as to how the property can charge dollars - when my reservation was points. Furthermore if they could, how and who decides what the "Best Available Rate" is?

I'll keep the property unnamed for the time being as I'm still working with them on this topic, but I don't have $800 to pay for a nightly fee - hence why the reservation was booked with points.

Any help/previous experience would be greatly appreciated.