The dates I was referring to are in the past: June 26 - July 1, 2009. I never asked the cust svc line what the event was, excatly ... should have done that.

I did a quick Google search for June 27 in Newnan, GA, and found a HUGE event - a hot dog eating contest at the local bowling lanes... Uh... yeah, really worthy of a corporate waiver...:confused:

It is if it is the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP HOT DOG EATING CONTEST they talk about every year on CNN!

As mentioned by others, I think the Olympics definitely falls into the 'special event' category that cancels out the Plat override.

And can't speak for the hot dog eating one, but now I'm hungry for a hot dog. :D

Cheers.

I just spoke with the GM -the hotel had turned over their inventory to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) during this timeframe.......he was extremely sorry that he was unable to extend a reservation to you because of the situation but did ask that I ask you to contact him at 770/254-8900 (his name is Joel Heil) or if you wish I'd be happy to pass your contact info along to him

That makes sense: On August 21, 2009, First Coweta Bank, Newnan, GA was closed by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. No advance notice is given to the public when a financial institution is closed.

The hotel probably was prohibited from discussing that the FDIC was there in force since it would have been a pretty clear indication of the bank failure.

Fascinating.

I'm picturing Marriott letting every Platinum out there over book their Vancouver hotels for the Olympics and then all those Plats in sleeping bags on the floor of the CL. :-)

The FDIC probably reserved the whole hotel (otherwise a guest could have put two and two together), and I am sure the GM told all the employees not to say a word to anyone about who was staying at their hotel.

There are one or two scenario's where Marriott does actually have an excuse for something totally out of their control, and I would say a FDIC bank closure and the attending federally mandated secrecy would be one of those scenarios! SHHHHHH! Don't tell anybody!

having personal experience with these type of FDIC groups I can assure you they do not arrive under the name "FDIC"....(FDIC is one of the smarter branches of government)

Plat - Can't force availability
 

Trying to reserve a courtyard in NJ for 2/13. I had the Platinum desk try to force a reservation and the below is the email I got from the hotel. Other than it being President day weekend, it's not a special event. Platinum is worthless. What's the pt. I have blackout reward dates and can't force availability.\

Hello xxxxxxxxxxxx. I received a call from the Platinum Desk that you would like to stay at our hotel on Saturday night as well as Sunday night which you already have.

I'm sorry to say that I don't have any availability at this time, but if we have any cancellations or changes, I will contact you immediately to let you know and see if you still want the room.

Thanks and have a safe and good weekend.
I hope the upcoming snow storm doesn't affect you too much.
We are expecting up to 2 feet here at the Shore.


GM

are you trying to pay for a stay or use points?
What hotel???

(you say the shore, and NJ so i'm thinking the Red Bank, Tinton Falls or Wall CY or the one in AC......)

doesn't quite seem right....

ETA: seems to be the one in AC as the 3 others all have rooms....
AC must be packed due to Valentines day ....the in water power boat show is THIS weekend...

Call the Platinum desk back.
Ask them to do an override.
If they can not, ask for a supervisor and ask them what is the "special event" (per the T&Cs) that causing the override not to work.

Tell them you are willing to wait while they call the hotel.

Have had that work everytime for me (including Holidays)

I am trying to get a Paid rate not reward. On another occasion I tried to use Pts (seperate issue) for a different hotel and found there was blackout dates.

I called the plat desk to book it. I asked for the override. They called the hotel and I got the personalized email from the GM. They won't say what the special event is.

Press the Plat line to tell you. Either they will tell you for sure that it's one of the few dates that the hotel has approved to not use the Plat override, or you'll get your room.

Just saying they're full isn't good enough.

Keep pushing them -- it's unacceptable to just refuse to honor your Platinum override without a good reason.