Probably will load Monday or Tuesday. I don't know the exact parameters needed for minimum inventories of Standard Awards and Stay Anytime Awards (although it sounds like you probably do ) but I'm convinced the property will load the minimum, and ONLY the minimum, numbers needed to satisfy any contractural obligations with Marriott.

And why would anyone expect a hotel that will fill up during that timeframe to do anything else?

I don't. I suspect others hope otherwise. As I've been trying to say in previous posts, I think Vail Marriott has been quite liberal in award stay policy in the past, but will be less so in the future. It was a good run while it lasted.

Yes, things are much different now. I also couldn't find any available standard reward stay during Jan-Feb 15, 2008. I checked the Park City Marriott (not even comparable to the Vail resort) and found what I needed but... cancellation deadline is March 5, 2007. Impossible to commit to that at this point. It looks I will have to spend my points elsewhere and pay for my stay on the slopes.

OK, due to all of our guessing I decided to follow up on this yesterday in order to get more definitive information.

I tried contacting the hotel directly but was unable to get through to anybody who handles award inventory. In order not to make a fuss, like calling the GM, I called Marriott customer support to see what they could do. They put me on hold and contacted the hotel and informed me that the hotel has not yet release reward availability past November 2007. She then connected me with Guillermo at the Vail Marriott who booked a January 2008 Standard reward for me. He also confirmed that they had not yet gotten around to releasing inventory for next year's ski season (might have something to do with being in the midst of this year's ski season - that's my guess).

Oh and a couple side notes:

Be careful who you talk with and what they say. A few weeks back the reservations people, when I inquired about rewards at Vail Marriott, said they were practically fully booked for January 2008 and no reward inventory would be available. Not true per customer support or Guillermo at the hotel.

They have to offer Stay Anytime if Standard rooms are available. Actually all of their Stay Anytime award rooms are Lodge rooms which are 40 sf larger than standard and have a separate shower and tub. (the latter per Guillermo)


I hope frisbeeace and any others seeking Vail Marriott rewards find this info helpful and are successful in their pursuit of these elusive rewards.

thanks aaupgrade for such valuable information. By the way, which cancellation deadline were you given for your booking?

He verbally told me that I must cancel at least 30 days prior to arrival or I would be charged for the entire stay, but the reservation only shows 15 days.