Hi,

I have a general question about Award Inventory. Want to make a 5 night award reservation at the Renaissance Tel Aviv six months out and since the website doesn't allow this I called Marriott's "Elite Line". But was told that the only thing they can offer me are Club Rooms for $390 per night.

Is this similar to Airline inventory where they may release more "seats" in the future.

Will the new program changes make a difference here?

Want to understand how this is similar / different to the way the airlines handle their inventory.

Thanks!

EndlosLuft

Do Marriott hotels make more rooms available - sometimes, but, no gaurentees on that, it is decided by the individual hotel and I haven't noticed threads discussing this being anything as noticable as airline management (Marriotts seem to provide in advance, so in general there would only be availability a few weeks before if the hotel has loads of rooms spare they might try to get some points for)

Will the new program change it? Yes - you should be able to find availability on January 15th

If you are forced to stay during this specific week I'd recommend you wait until the 15th January 2009 and then make a booking straight away - it will cost you more points but there should be rooms available.

No, in your case it probably will not help waiting for the new program. I assume from your post that the least expensive rooms available for purchase on your target dates are Club level rooms, which leads me to the logical assumption that there are no standard rooms available for sale. The new program only eliminates blackouts for standard award redemption, which require that there be standard rooms available for sale. Sounds like you may be out of luck. You can easily check for standard room availability for your target dates on Marriott.com. If there are standard rooms available for the duration of your stay come January 15, then yes you should be able to book an award stay without a problem unless there is a corporate approved special event during that time which allows them to restrict availability.

While aaupgrade is correct, it is possible that the standard awards with upgrades could be offered (either cash or points.) I personally wouldn't bank on that happening, but it wouldn't hurt to check the inventory come January 15 just to see what, if anything, opens up.

This happened to me last week at the San Jose Marriott, host to an AOPA convention. 4 months before the event, nothing to be found, not even "Stay Anytime" awards, but plenty for sale at $249.

I made alternative arrangements a few miles away for 6,000 points. Just for kicks, I checked 2 days before and got a 20,000 standard award without a problem. I was treated to a jr. suite and given a 3pm late checkout all on an award. Its rare but nice when it all falls into place!

My guess is that the reserved room block didn't materialize so more rooms were available. But at check-in, I heard they were very full / sold out for the weekend, so go figure!