Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I fear that the OP could get the points returned but be charged rack rate for the room. I suspect that the front desk agent checked in the OP rather than cancelling the reservation (would the employee even be authorized to do this, although that's not the customer's problem?). An unethical employee working alone might have sold the room for cash and pocketed the money during such a high demand period.
Waiving the cancellation penalty is always at the property’s discretion as the charge is made locally and never by Marriott and credited directly to the entity operating the hotel. I have had cancellation penalties waived before by contacting the properties directly before cancelling.