Help using Marriott Reward points?? Blackouts?

[YorkieMommyKandis]

I got approved for the Marriot Rewards card from Chase and they sent me a certificate for a free night's stay. I was planning on using this for our trip to Residence Inn Seaworld Nov 27 - Dec 3, plus any points we earn between now and then. However, when I called Marriott to see about using it, they said there were no rooms available on which I could use it. The only thing left was "anytime points" stays.

I thought before I got this certificate that I remember seeing that reward points could be used (and rooms were available for using them) for this hotel. I don't see why these dates would be blacked out because it is the week after Thanksgiving which is value season. Actually, I couldn't find ANY time of year when they were offering anything except "anytime points" stays at that hotel.

Has anyone ever used one of these certificates before? Do more rooms that you can use reward points on become available at a later date? The certificate only lasts for 6 months after issue so I would need to use it then since we aren't going anywhere else.

Any knowledge about this is greatly appreciated!! Sorry for so many questions today...

-Kandis

 

[shamrock30]

I have used those certificates, and it was a mixed bag as far as availability went. For example, except for the "anytime" rate, there was almost nothing available in New England at any summer destination spot for early June. Early June is hardly peak season for tourists, so I though that was odd. In my case, availability didn't get better, but I've read on Flyertalk that it sometimes does. However, if they are showing only anytime points this far in advance, I'm doubtful about your chances.