If the Marriott Hotels in the selected city declare a "Special Event" the room guarantee benefit does not apply. See this thread for my problems in San Francisco Sept. 18 - 23:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466670


Starwood seems to honor this benefit for that week eventhough their hotels in downtown San Francisco are fully booked also. Go figure.

I would gladly pay the rack rate if I could just get a room at any Marriott property downtown that week.

RIP...