The problem is that Chris, Soc, and other Marriott reps say that ALL hotels, except Rome and Capri, have to follow basic Standard Award availability and that Corporate has leverage over the hotels and makes them comply. Well bottom line is they have leverage if they choose to use it. The problem is they don't because the almighty dollar generated from paid rooms, and the potential loss of revenue if a hotel that doesn't provide Standard Awards chooses to deflag itself (now or later) when forced to. We have numerous cases over the past year where Standard Award availability is not there, yet we are told that the hotel is in compliance. Specifically booking the Vail Marriott last year for this winter. Starting 51 weeks out, the day inventory was supposed to be available, it took me 2 months to get a 3 week reservation and I had to call a half dozen times, and finally a Plat CSR called the hotel and had the manager make the reservation for me. I was told everything from "they are sold out" (11 months in advance) which was an outright LIE; to they haven't released inventory yet.

Yes Marriott is behind the competition and with a recession looming it should be real interesting to see what's coming.

I know reservations are down significantly from last year at Vail. With the building boom there and the economy going down the tubes, rates next year should be much better.

The two underlying problems here are:

1) Marriott is not competitive to the other frequent stay programs in regard to award availability

2) Marriott Corporate does NOT enforce their Standard Award requirements and looks the other way. They tell the MR members one thing and do something else. I learned as a child that that was called LYING.

I used to respect this company, but now I am taking their example and just out for myself. It is becoming harder and harder to justify jumping through the hoops, or paying the prices, to stay with them. As long as I can, I will.

Now, with all due respect to those complaining about a single night being blocked out. Someone pointed out earlier that you can book an 8 night reservation, 7 nights of which are Standard Award nights and 1 Paid night and then you can use the Hotel portion of a Hotel + Air Travel Package, or other 7 night standard award certificate, for that stay. I would be very happy to find that for Vail, CO. I would go for 24 nights instead of 21. Making a vacation longer is never a problem IMO.