socrates,
I checked the Marriott website and I can only see room availability as far as Dec 16. Beyond this date I get the message no rooms available. Are you able to see availability for 52 weeks? Thanks for your help.
I warned you... "and those from, or associated with, Marriott may well say otherwise".
I repeat:
In theory 50 weeks out, same as paid stays. HOWEVER... not all hotels post their inventory then.
I you haven't read the thread for which I provided a link in my previous post, I suggest you do so as it is very enlightening.
What I do, is check daily as that is the only way IMO. Everyone says that inventory is loaded on Sundays, while this is generally the case, I had rates show up Tuesday of this week, when there were no rates showing when I checked on Sunday or Monday, and then that rate I booked disappeared on Wednesday. This was for date in mid-January of 2009. Prior to Tuesday there was no availability for mid-December through the end of January 2009, and that was for paid stays.