I already have a Hilton booked, so I'm not quite that desperate yet... But yeah, if I had no hotel via any other means, I'd be calling the Plat line...

Tried again today. Different PC - one I've never logged in from before, running Firefox. Still no dice.

Indianapolis, and FFA means no Platinum Override
 

Chalk this up to benefits only apply when it is convenient for the Corporation and the property. The week of October22, Indianapolis plays host to the Future Farmers of America convention (I think thats the reason.) Anyway, every Marriott hotel has pretty much inflated their rates (I'm sure for business people because I can't see students paying these exorbitant rates.) Platinum overide rates at hotels offering rooms are cost prohibitive (meaning I'd never get reimbursed what I'm required to spend.) In the past during conventions I've occasionally been able to Platinum Overide at a particular Fairfield Inn in the metro area at a rate acceptably close to what I'm reimbursed. However today when I tried to invoke my Platinum Override benefit, the reservation agent at Marriott told me it had been locked out "by corporate." She said corporate allows properties to not accept Platinum Overrides when convention business is anticipated to be high. So the one benefit that is supposed to mean loyal customers can always find a room when business demands it is really arbitrary, and up to the property, if the property can convince corporate that accomodating once a year conventioners is a better business practice than serving those customers that bring you 100+ a nights a year every year.

I'm in elsewhere near Indy that week, but in a strange hotel where I've never stayed and miles away from where I want and need to be. I've stated elsewhere the Platinum Override is little benefit to me. This week proves it even further.

I assume you're referring to the Marriott North - it appears as though they have turned over all of their inventory to the citywide convention, this is the only reason they would have received permission to turn off the benefit (hotels dont have the access to turn this off) however I do see platinum availability at the MHR downtown and east...btw I dont see any difference in either of those two hotel's rates from either today or in November from the rates a platinum would receive next week (in cases where the hotel turns control over to a citywide event they wouldn't be able to honor the platinum gtd because they dont control their inventory)

IME, from time to time, individual hotels do get exemptions from the normal override rules. Fortunately, its also my experience that these are brief, rare, and for the most part, understandable.

As a practical matter, down through the years, I'd say the platinum override has worked for me at least 95% of the time when I've needed to use it.

I have also had good experience with the Platinum override. It has pretty much always been available when I need it. Of course my business and leisure travel needs typically don't take me to locations with big conventions. So I am usually just up against other business travelers. YMMV....

--Jon

The only "enhancement" I wish Marriott would make would be to publish those dates on each property page.

From reading these boards, it sounds like Marriott does limit when a hotel can do this to truly major events. (From socrates post, it sounds like the Indy hotels actually aren't blocking Plats except perhaps at one property.) A city having a large convention is precisely when I'd need the Platinum Override. A city hosting the Olympics or Super Bowl is when I would (somewhat) understand not being able to use it.

The data is available - hotels have to apply to corporate with their dates to opt out - why not share that with the customers? If anything, I think it would elevate our appreciation and confidence in Marriott.

I agree with Pinniped. It makes sense to publish the exceptions for platinum overrides. I also agree on his criteria for when they should be permitted. Not that I have had problems myself but it would be really good to have actual information should I have issues in the future. It would also help differentiate between a glitch on the web site versus when there is a true block on platinum overrides in place.

--Jon

By the way, note that Hertz does this. Granted it's not 2200 properties, and the legalese is somewhat hard to read do because they clump it in one big block of fine print, but I appreciate that they do it. You can read through the list and quickly associate the cities/dates that are blacked out to major national/global events.

Also agree with Pinniped. Airlines routinely post blackout dates. Why can't hotels post dates when the override benefit won't be available? It would seem to be an easy feature to incorporate.

I realize there are going to be instances when even the overrides sell out, so these would have to be updated frequently. But if Marriott has the technology to recognize platinum guests logging into their website, one would think they'd have the ability to add override blackout info.

Given all the glitches w/ the new enhanced website I wouldn't be too sure of that ;) :D Sorry; couldn't resist.

Cheers.

You are correct corporate does control it and yes I do agree it would make sense to publish it (I'm sure no one ever thought of it...I'll send an email to some old contacts still there)....

One last comment on citywide conventions - many of them have the same effect as a large sporting event, they take every room within the metro areas (SAE, AVEDA and a few dozen others are coming to mind)

socrates....Thanks. Assuming they can do this it would be widely appreciated, I'm sure.

It had also been my understanding that corporate gets involved with override blackouts. In at least one instance IME, I was told by a supervisor on the 800# that, in that particular case in question, Mr. Marriott's office had gotten directly involved.

And Sharon... Until they get the bugs out of the new website stuff, I don't even trust them to get today's date correctly!! (I'm sure they'll eventually fix everything).

You are correct (it's not Mr. Marriott's office but it is an office in Bethesda)

I'm sure they do, but isn't this the main purpose of the Platinum Override benefit? The only time I've ever considered using it is when I'm really having difficulty finding a suitable room in a city.