horrible time trying to use points at Full Service
Mar 17, 2011, 11:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,357
horrible time trying to use points at Full Service
Every hotel i look at lately for points i get this message
Unfortunately, no points redemption rooms are available for the dates you selected.
It doesn't matter where i look at staying the hotel rewards are not around. I look at the cal. and they will have like 2 days in all of april, even though they are still selling standard rooms. What happened to no blackout and use your points anytime.
I know i am being vag on locations but i have tried in the past 12 months to use points in a number of locations and been unable to use them. Chicago, Alabama, Key west, Some had some big events so i understand but some i have been very flexible and really poor availability.
Unfortunately, no points redemption rooms are available for the dates you selected.
It doesn't matter where i look at staying the hotel rewards are not around. I look at the cal. and they will have like 2 days in all of april, even though they are still selling standard rooms. What happened to no blackout and use your points anytime.
I know i am being vag on locations but i have tried in the past 12 months to use points in a number of locations and been unable to use them. Chicago, Alabama, Key west, Some had some big events so i understand but some i have been very flexible and really poor availability.
Mar 17, 2011, 12:03 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
I have been able to use points everywhere I wanted to go this year. Including New YEar's and Thanksgiving. YMMV
Mar 17, 2011, 12:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Syracuse, New York USA
Posts: 72
I have gotten that message also when I have tried to use points. I have found that if I search rates, then SELECT the property I want so that the various rates appear, and THEN check the box that says "use Marriott points" - all of a sudden there is availability, and I have been able to use points. It has happened to me several times that way, so now I just search using "no special rates". Hope that works for you.
Mar 17, 2011, 12:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CLEveland, OH USA
Programs: CO PresPlat, UA GS, Marriott Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Fairmont Premier, BA Silver, AVIS PresCircle
Posts: 580
No blackout just means at least 1 room per property is available on rewards on a night not that last room avaialablility can be on a reward. Must already be booked by someone else.
Just checked Cleveland KeyCenter Marriott, and rewards nights are open every single day of april right now. Can stay the whole month for 600,000 points!
Just checked Cleveland KeyCenter Marriott, and rewards nights are open every single day of april right now. Can stay the whole month for 600,000 points!
Mar 17, 2011, 1:28 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,005
I suspect that staying on an award in Cleveland, Detroit, etc., wouldn't be much of an issue most of the year (unless the Steelers are in town..
)
Hawaii, Grand Cayman, Paris, etc., might be a slightly different story
)Hawaii, Grand Cayman, Paris, etc., might be a slightly different story
Mar 17, 2011, 1:31 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
Are you sure they are selling standard rooms? Don't forget as a Plat+, when you search for rooms for sale, the website will show you Plat override rooms as available even of the hotel is sold out.
Mar 17, 2011, 7:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 26
They have so many rooms per night they give away for redemptions and then I'm sure the rest they would like money for, considering they probably wanna be able to keep the property and the lights on so they have to pay the bills, not very profitable to give every room away for free. You might get lucky though and like a couple days before they might open some up. Happened to me a couple times, nothing available for weeks and weeks before. Two days before the trip i checked again and BINGO some opened up 
Mar 17, 2011, 8:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
Mar 17, 2011, 9:43 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,005
They have so many rooms per night they give away for redemptions and then I'm sure the rest they would like money for, considering they probably wanna be able to keep the property and the lights on so they have to pay the bills, not very profitable to give every room away for free.
Mar 18, 2011, 7:35 am
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
I have gotten that message also when I have tried to use points. I have found that if I search rates, then SELECT the property I want so that the various rates appear, and THEN check the box that says "use Marriott points" - all of a sudden there is availability, and I have been able to use points. It has happened to me several times that way, so now I just search using "no special rates". Hope that works for you.
Cheers.
Mar 18, 2011, 7:54 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 118
I have gotten that message also when I have tried to use points. I have found that if I search rates, then SELECT the property I want so that the various rates appear, and THEN check the box that says "use Marriott points" - all of a sudden there is availability, and I have been able to use points. It has happened to me several times that way, so now I just search using "no special rates". Hope that works for you.
Jun 20, 2015, 1:47 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: Delta Platinum & 2MM, Marriott Lifetime TIT, Hertz Pres Club, IHG Gold, *A Gold
Posts: 1,253
This method is not working for me in Bend, Oregon next weekend.
Jun 20, 2015, 3:00 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Bend Oregon next weekend-
Friday night
TownePlace- Sold out on points or cash (PO rate appears when logged in only)
Fairfield Inn- standard room available on cash or points
Saturday night-
TownePlace-Sold out on points or cash (PO rate appears when logged in only)
Fairfield Inn- standard room available on cash but not points
Friday night
TownePlace- Sold out on points or cash (PO rate appears when logged in only)
Fairfield Inn- standard room available on cash or points
Saturday night-
TownePlace-Sold out on points or cash (PO rate appears when logged in only)
Fairfield Inn- standard room available on cash but not points