The section you cited is regarding the Elite Benefits Guarantee only.

It specifically redirects, in the section you cited, regarding the Ultimate Reservation Guarantee (for which what you booked isn't available/you're walked, as we're discussing here) to 4.3.a.iii, which makes no mention of any 24 hour requirement. The page with the various guarantees also makes no mention of a 24 hour requirement.

***The OP should have accepted the Element, and asked for the GM email of the Towneplace. Then once all set at the Element, drop the GM an email claiming the Guarantee.

If the GM refused, file a case with Marriott corporate and they will ensure it gets paid out, if you meet the terms of the guarantee, not including any 24 hour rule (they did for me).

What is "guaranteed priority" (bolding mine)? Aren't those words contradictory? If something is guaranteed, you'll definitely get it (or compensation). If you have priority for something and it doesn't become available, you don't get it (or compensation). If it does become available you may have priority over some (Plat & lower) guests, but not necessarily other (Tit/Amb) guests. Unlike airline first class standby lists, there's no transparency to where you are on a wait list.

I worked nights at a Front Desk for years at a busy hotel. On an average week, we were oversold 2 to 4 nights depending upon the season and local events. Whenever you're oversold, you create a plan to relocate (aka walk) some guests. I feel like I have a ton of experience on this topic.

While I never worked at a Starwood property, I feel confident in stating that SPG never had a "No Walk" policy for upper-level elite frequent guests. That's simply not realistic when it comes to hotel operations.

For example, every couple of months, I'd arrive at work on an oversold night and find that 100% of our arrivals were elite-level guests. In that scenario, it would be impossible not to relocate an elite guest.

Additionally, most FlyerTalk members don't like hearing the fact that elite members of the chain's frequent guest program are not the most important customer of an individual hotel. The most important customer is the company that brings in the most guests. Those companies almost always have locally-negotiated rates.

A single elite-level guest can provide a hotel with at most 365 room nights per year. A local company can provide thousands or even tens of thousands of room nights annually. In a scenario where we had to relocate either an elite-level guest who had never stayed with us or someone booked through our largest corporate client, we took the penalty and walked the elite-level guest.

Someone like Arne Sorenson would certainly understand the rationale behind that choice. Risking a corporate contract worth hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more) to avoid relocating a single elite-level guest would be something an idiot would do.

Personally, I'd never seek compensation over what amounted to a 13 minute delay and a bit of confusion. I've waited longer than 13 minutes in line to check in at some hotels. That said, there's no right or wrong answer to that question. If you feel like asking for compensation, just ask.

No, but FT is not the place for a discussion of proper use of language or deconstructing phrases to ascertain meaning. Feel free to PM me if you like.

I don't think anyone is doubting the reasoning or need to walk elite guests in some cases. However the handling of it should be relatively streamlined and the front desk staff should be knowledgeable on the rules of the program and offer the due compensation at the time of the walk.

(underline mine). Based on how I'm reading this snipped of the T&C, it explains why they called OP, probably trying to keep them from arriving.

I can't say I'm the least bit surprised at any of the accounts that when compensation is due, the story changes. That's why (segue to airlines since this is flyertalk) EU261 was implemented for air passenger rights, all as cash settlements.

Actually, some people were doubting that, expressing that a non-elite should have been walked instead of the OP. And those posts deserved an informative response, as we're all here to learn as much as we are to share knowledge. I appreciated the response from someone who had actually worked behind a front desk. But yes, it's reasonable that there are times when an elite must be walked.

I also worked for Hyatt many years ago. I agree with writerguy 100%.

I came away feeling like if I hadn't known any better and could show them the policy, they would have pulled one over on me. How long would that wait have been if I hadn't known any better? Being able to guess the answer to that motivates me to seek compensation. I come here looking for ways to stay informed and know how to best handle this and other situations. I appreciate your input.

I had the Hilton Garden Inn in Memphis walk me over to the Drury. In exchange, they would comp the night. The problem I had with the arrangement was that (a) I am a HH Diamond, (b) that stay was going to renew my status for the following program year, and (c) I wasn't going to get any other compensation. My employer was footing the bill. I was able to negotiate 30,000 points in addition to the room, but had to call the manager three times to get the points deposited into my account. I will be avoiding that property in future visits to Memphis.

Yes, the OP may be only one person, however, with the proliferation of social media, their ability to influence many more needs to be considered. Unless OP and/or company is being singled out, there is a lot more to lose than just one room a night (very insignificant). Years ago it was stated, for every one person willing to complain there may be 10 that will just walk away and not say a word.

Yep, that's a great use of FT. You get a bit wiser and apply that to future situations.

I think the bottom line here is that if you had been truly inconvenienced, it would be worthwhile to pursue compensation, even after the fact. But thinking of screwing over a customer isn't the same as doing it (just like thinking about robbing a bank isn't a crime, only the act is). Realistically, you handled the situation well at the property, weren't caused any true harm, and you only lost out on 13 minutes of your time and experienced a little anxiety. If someone paid me for every time I had 13 minutes of anxiety, I'd probably be retired by now :).