Originally Posted by talltravel
this is related to the platinum guarantee, but not the same thing that are being discussed so apologies for thread jacking:
The 48 hour room guarantee is not being honored by a hotel for a room in April claiming that they have a "special event" the CSR I spoke to, said special events are usually the super bowl or mardis gras etc type events. This event is a Triathlon, which isn't a huge event. The hotel is the Vinoy in St. Pete. Has anyone else had this happen to them before? is there any recourse? what's the point of the guarantee if the hotel can just block it?
Thanks
Numerous prior threads as to 48 hr issue. Long and short is that property is free to request special event waiver from Marriott Rewards. We are not privy as to whether such a waiver is automatically granted (it probably is), what the requirements are for such a waiver (or whether it is sufficient for the property to simply designate certain days as a special event, i.e., it's a special event because the property says it's a special event), or how long in advance a property needs to qualify a special event. It may be that Marriott Rewards sets definite standards for a property to designate a special event or just that the property simply state that a special event is occurring. We just are not privy to the requirements/standards.
Many people report having luck calling the property directly in such circumstances. The Vinoy is an unusually responsive property in my experience. But I have not dealt with them on this particular issue. Good luck.