This is why I asked above about how long in advance he tried to book the room. In general, I have no problem getting into any Marriott hotel I want on pointsas long as I'm willing to book well enough in advance. If you're trying to book within a 90 day window, well, quite honestly I've got no sympathy. First come, first serve, you know? If it's a longer than six months out, then I do have sympathy.

So much of this "you can't use the points when you want to" stuff is nonsense. Personal example: Everybody told me I'd never get the Vail Marriott in high ski season. Well, last year I got the second week in February (booked in December no less, and upgraded to a suite).