Ritz Award Availability -- Any base level rooms guaranteed like SPG?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
Programs: AA CK / Marriott Worthless Ambassador
Posts: 1,158
Ritz Award Availability -- Any base level rooms guaranteed like SPG?
Mods please combine this if a thread exists...
New to Ritz. SPG Plat. Looking at award bookings at Santa Barbara Bacara. I want to reserve 3 rooms on points (for 1 night). I'm able to book only two rooms. The level of room booked is:
Then when i try to book one more award it is the same level room, but cash only. I know at SPG there is a certain room level that is points -- and those rooms must be available for points if open at that level. What is the rule with Ritz? Can they just limit award redemptions, and decide to start selling the same level room yet not offer it on points?
Thanks for any help.
New to Ritz. SPG Plat. Looking at award bookings at Santa Barbara Bacara. I want to reserve 3 rooms on points (for 1 night). I'm able to book only two rooms. The level of room booked is:
Superior, Guest room, 1 King, Garden view, Balcony
Then when i try to book one more award it is the same level room, but cash only. I know at SPG there is a certain room level that is points -- and those rooms must be available for points if open at that level. What is the rule with Ritz? Can they just limit award redemptions, and decide to start selling the same level room yet not offer it on points?
Thanks for any help.
#2
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,718
As far as I know, RC award availability rules are the same as with all the other Marriott brands: No Blackout dates. That means each hotel must throw out at least some limited "number" of award rooms for every night, but at no time is a hotel required to offer ALL standard rooms they have for awards. And each hotel is given a limited number (don't know what that "number" is but it can be a significant number) of nights they can reduce that limited "number" of award rooms to an even smaller number (but not to 0).
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
Programs: AA CK / Marriott Worthless Ambassador
Posts: 1,158
Thanks.
So this isnt No Blackouts like SPG which means if a basic room is for sale then you can use points???
This no blackouts means well offer at least 1 room every day- but thats it? No transparency to see if an award should be available?
This no blackouts means well offer at least 1 room every day- but thats it? No transparency to see if an award should be available?
#4
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
Programs: United Silver; AA Plat/2MM; Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Plat; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,718
I think a better way of putting it is that SPG has "if they have a standard room available for cash, then it has to be available for awards". Marriott is truly just "No Blackout days". I suspect they are "hoping" the majority of folks with misinterpret that thinking it is just like SPG award room availability.