Originally Posted by
sfozrhfco
In The Points Guy interview with David Fleuck, he said that the 5th night has to be of the same or less value as the first 4 nights. Thus, if the first four days are peak, the free night can be peak as well. If you have standard rates on the first 4 then the 5th can be standard or off-peak. You just can't book an off peak or standard award and time it so the 5th night is peak and expect it to be free.
To be honest this is a bit silly ....
Marriott could easily solve this by giving the free night as the cheapest room in those 5 nights
say
1 peak - 20000
2 peak - 20000
3 standard - 15000
4 off peak - 10000
5 peak - 20000
Total : 85000 points
Then deduct the point for night no.4 to the total redemption value
OR
Averaging the points / day during stays
Above example ... total points required : 85000 ... reduce 1/5 (17500) so required point to book is 67500 points