A few years ago, I booked the Marriott in St Louis (now the Hilton) during the World Series using the plat guarantee, and received a corporate rate, substantially below rack.

I do believe the rate you get with a Plat Override is a hotel's standard corporate rate.

Cheap Rate
 

The rate I got was cheap (usual cheap rate.)

I find on overrides I tend to get the standard rate or corporate rate available.
I check on other non-special event days and the rate is the same.

Never have been hit with a "Special Event" rate or "rack" rate.

dude did you book in the wrong city ?
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110603/F1/110609959
The F1 will be in AUS

that is correct

No, but thinks for checking (and for a pointless trivia fact, I did attend the last F1 race in Texas which was in Dallas)

News reports on Dallas station (where my Dad lives) were going on and on about no hotels in Austin for race.

I booked hotel in Austin.

Overrides blocked?
 

Really? So I want a room at the mobile. AL courtyard. It is sold out on the date I want (next week) and I am told that the hotel has blocked any override requests.

What good is the platinum room guarantee if the hotel can arbitrarily block any override requests?

Theoretically, it requires a Super Bowl, World Series, etc.-level event to block the PLT override, and requires corporate approval. Is there something big going on? It looks like plenty of other local properties available.

Have you contacted Customer Service?

All it requires is one person, group or organization booking the entire hotel for one or more nights. THis could be for something liek a conference, wedding or other event.

That was my thought as well.

What did the hotel say when you called the FD directly (not the 800#)? Always surprises me that when people get odd or unsatisfactory answers, they don't follow-up with a call to the source.

Wasn't sure which CY it was (looks like they have two), but I was able to book either one for the full week .. $89 per night

I don't think being sold out is a valid reason to remove the override. That's the point of the override. I know I've used the override to attend conventions when the hotel was sold out.

Perhaps MC/socrates can clarify.

Courtyard Mobile
1000 West I-65 Service Road South

1/23-1/27?

I tried earlier, and just tried again, logged in as a PLT, and it shows sold out.

There are three CY's in Mobile. I do see the other two at $89 and $80/night.

It's the 23rd and 24th that aren't available. There's a note on the website that the lobby will be undergoing renovations thru the 23rd. Is it possible that the hotel is actually closed to finish the renovations?

I'm sure the hotel could tell you.