Welcome aboard, its great to have you on FT!!!

I'm a Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond and SPG Plat... my question involves the guaranteed room

here is the MR promo and T&C's regarding this benefit:
48-hour/72-Hour Guaranteed Reservation: Limited to a Platinum member's personal guestroom. Guaranteed room availability for reservations booked 48 hours prior to arrival available at participating Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites; Renaissance Hotels, Resorts and Suites; and Marriott Conference Center locations. Guaranteed room availability for reservations booked 72 hours prior to arrival available at participating Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott and SpringHill Suites by Marriott. Only during a very limited number of dates (for example, special events) are hotels unable to provide this service. This benefit cannot be used in conjunction with award usage or any type of promotional or discounted rates.

Supposedly I'm supposed to be able to get a room even if the hotel is sold out, unless there is a "special event" in town.. My question is what defines a special event, I would say 98% of the time, the hotel claims special event when I try to use my benefit.

I have become very frustrated with all three chains as my travels do take me to cities with large events (Super bowl, which I can understand) to not so large events (Rochester MN, Antique Fair).. which I can not understand..

I guess I want to know if hotels really try to make accomodations for this benefit?

Also one more question along the same line, When a hotel is sold out, is it really sold out? or do you hold back a few rooms for some high profile customers or ones who will pay extremely high rates at the last minute?

thanks for your responses.. what a great thread