On one hand, all hotels in all programs game the system for "special events". However, in this case, I'm inclined to believe the hotel when they say the rooms really are sold out. It sounds like a place the event participants would want to book with a multiyear contract.

Throughout my hotel-staying history, I've always felt that Starwood was the best at minimizing the "gaming" to truly the largest world events. I've booked regular awards for Oktoberfest, 3 of the world's marathon "majors", college football bowl games, and max-peak Spring Break hotels. (I've never tried booking for an auto race...not sure how those compare to, say, the NYC Marathon or Oktoberfest in Munich. I guess Formula 1 is probably similar?)

The flip-side is that Marriott is probably the worst. They once tried to tell me that an Illinois-San Jose State football game was a "special event." I'm sorry, even wearing the most orange-colored glasses imaginable, that thing is a dog with fleas. Extraordinary demand?!? Were all of the fans dressed up as empty seats trying to book the Fairfield Inn?

This is one area where I fear the Starwood practice of *mostly* honoring their loyalty program...unless you're trying to book the Super Bowl...will die with the merger.