Points Availability Issues
 

Okay --

Within a week I have had two issues booking rooms with points when there are points available.

The first time I was trying to book a room in Napa Valley in August. There are rooms available to pay for, but not for points. I called the Gold helpdesk and they said there is nothing they can do (but proceeded to send an email to the Copenhagen Denmark Marriott asking them to book me a room with points for that night...?)

Today, I'm trying to book a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC in June. Again, same issue -- no rooms for points, but plenty for $$$.

What gives? I've never had this issue in the past. This makes me pleased that I've earned a lot of SPG points over the past year and basically don't stay at Marriott anymore.

Matt

Do a search on "reward availability" and you will find your answer (in many threads).

Key is that they still limit the number of rooms available for awards.

Why did you call the Gold desk - your profile says you are PLT

Its because "No blackout dates" really doesn't mean crap. They still can severely limit the number of award redemption rooms. So a hotel may only offer 1 room for points and still say it is in compliance with the no blackout date rule.

The Fairfield Inn in Kelowna BC has NO weekend rooms available through to late fall. There are reward weekday rooms available.

Lots of rooms for $$. What a scam!

Ron.

As noted, the whole "we're jacking up all the redemption requirments but giving you no Blackouts" really means "we're jacking up all the redemption requirements and actually giuving you nothing, but lying about it".

Very disappointing. I think telling us that you think we're stupid enough that you can get away with it is worse than actually doing it.

Maybe they're trying to thin out the ranks of their elites.

US Air walked that road last fall, thinking that they would lose some but not many, but that turned out worse than they expected. By the time they recognized it and reversed course, they had already lost a LOT of elites, me included.

Marriott certainly took our emotions into account when they made their big devaluation move, but all that will really change their minds is how many of their 2008 elites are showing significantly reduced activity in 2009.

One thing is for sure... Marriott isn't stealing away any NEW elites from HH, SPG, et all. No one in their right mind would switch to Marriott this year.