Any luck with reward reservations for Christmas?
May 11, 2004, 9:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
Any luck with reward reservations for Christmas?
Guys,
I've been a big fan of PC for a few years, but I just discovered something
scary. I've got many miles and am trying to book some vacation Dec25th-Jan2nd. There is NO hotel accepting reward reservation for that period. NONE. Nowhere. I tried Whistler, Utah, Colorado and Caribbean. No availability. It never happened before. I spent a great vacation in Whistler last year where it was a great deal to get free nights instead of paying $500/night. It clearly says - "no blackout dates". But it seams so. Any thoughts?
I've been a big fan of PC for a few years, but I just discovered something
scary. I've got many miles and am trying to book some vacation Dec25th-Jan2nd. There is NO hotel accepting reward reservation for that period. NONE. Nowhere. I tried Whistler, Utah, Colorado and Caribbean. No availability. It never happened before. I spent a great vacation in Whistler last year where it was a great deal to get free nights instead of paying $500/night. It clearly says - "no blackout dates". But it seams so. Any thoughts?
May 12, 2004, 7:38 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Roswell, GA USA
Posts: 792
beleive it or not,......you have probably selected the most popular time...
Try to make a reservation (fake one) for PC points say nov 4, will work, dec 4, willl work, prime time dates....no way, gotta have that stuff booked like 1 year in advance.....I find I have to book NYC using PC points about 7-9 months in advance!
you can call the hotel & make a special request & see what they say, I got that to wrok for me once..
Ric
Try to make a reservation (fake one) for PC points say nov 4, will work, dec 4, willl work, prime time dates....no way, gotta have that stuff booked like 1 year in advance.....I find I have to book NYC using PC points about 7-9 months in advance!
you can call the hotel & make a special request & see what they say, I got that to wrok for me once..
Ric
May 12, 2004, 3:33 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
I understand...
Originally Posted by RCC
beleive it or not,......you have probably selected the most popular time...
Try to make a reservation (fake one) for PC points say nov 4, will work, dec 4, willl work, prime time dates....no way, gotta have that stuff booked like 1 year in advance.....I find I have to book NYC using PC points about 7-9 months in advance!
you can call the hotel & make a special request & see what they say, I got that to wrok for me once..
Ric
Try to make a reservation (fake one) for PC points say nov 4, will work, dec 4, willl work, prime time dates....no way, gotta have that stuff booked like 1 year in advance.....I find I have to book NYC using PC points about 7-9 months in advance!
you can call the hotel & make a special request & see what they say, I got that to wrok for me once..
Ric
accepting award reservations for that period, let me know...
I think PC is getting worse, kind of like award travels using your miles, it's
almost impossible to book it.
May 17, 2004, 8:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Roswell, GA USA
Posts: 792
Originally Posted by Big_Foot
It's just strange NOTHING is available. If you find any hotel in the world
accepting award reservations for that period, let me know...
I think PC is getting worse, kind of like award travels using your miles, it's
almost impossible to book it.
accepting award reservations for that period, let me know...
I think PC is getting worse, kind of like award travels using your miles, it's
almost impossible to book it.
Well I think they know is peak times so they can charge a pretty penny for it....we have no way of checking if others have really booked using points....maybe this is their way of creating "black out dates"....
Just out out curiousity, I called PC desk on this & you are right nothing available for about 15 different locations throughout US nothing available.....what a shock.
May 18, 2004, 3:13 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: Nothing much anymore. Used to be annual 1K but ditched the work travel life. Still 1MM on UA.
Posts: 269
Try Quebec!
Originally Posted by Big_Foot
If you find any hotel in the world accepting award reservations for that period, let me know...
I just booked some free nights in both Quebec City and Montreal from Dec. 27th through Jan. 2nd. Now whether you want to spend those dates in Quebec, where it's -20 degrees is another story, but it is definitely beautiful up there in the winter time.
Last year my wife and I decided at the last minute to spend New Years Eve in San Francisco, and on Dec. 30th I was able to get a room using points at one of the HI's for the night of the 31st. They even gave us the two free buffet breakfasts that they give to PC Plat members.
I think you just have to book certain locations very early for stays during peak times...or be very lucky.
May 18, 2004, 4:08 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Roswell, GA USA
Posts: 792
Originally Posted by SMF UA 1K
I just booked some free nights in both Quebec City and Montreal from Dec. 27th through Jan. 2nd. Now whether you want to spend those dates in Quebec, where it's -20 degrees is another story, but it is definitely beautiful up there in the winter time.
Last year my wife and I decided at the last minute to spend New Years Eve in San Francisco, and on Dec. 30th I was able to get a room using points at one of the HI's for the night of the 31st. They even gave us the two free buffet breakfasts that they give to PC Plat members.
I think you just have to book certain locations very early for stays during peak times...or be very lucky.
Last year my wife and I decided at the last minute to spend New Years Eve in San Francisco, and on Dec. 30th I was able to get a room using points at one of the HI's for the night of the 31st. They even gave us the two free buffet breakfasts that they give to PC Plat members.
I think you just have to book certain locations very early for stays during peak times...or be very lucky.
SMF, you seem like a pretty lucky guy when it comes to making last min. reservations using points at prime times.....care to become a liason agent in assisting us?.....j/k
May 19, 2004, 3:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Roswell, GA USA
Posts: 792
Originally Posted by Big_Foot
So I guess it's just pure luck. I booked Aruba for Dec27th - Jan2nd
and I swear those were not available last time I checked.
Now: how to book award air tickets for that period
and I swear those were not available last time I checked.
Now: how to book award air tickets for that period