Marriott has a ‘no blackout dates’ policy, the old policy read as follows:
3.2.n. The Company has a “No Blackout Dates” policy, which means that, subject to the limitations and exclusions below, Participating Properties have standard rooms available every day for Award Redemptions. These limitations and exclusions are:
i. Participating Properties from the following Brands may limit the number of standard rooms available for redemption on a limited number of days: The Ritz-Carlton®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, SpringHill Suites®, Protea Hotels®, Fairfield by Marriott®, AC Hotels®, Moxy® Hotels, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, Vistana properties.
ii. The following Participating Brands allow only for Points/Miles earnings and do not offer Points redemption: Marriott Executive Apartments® and ExecuStay®.
Iii. The following Participating Properties or Brands either do not participate in or do not fully participate in the No Blackout Dates benefit at this time:
The new policy reads as follows:
3.2.n. The Company has a “No Blackout Dates” policy, which means that, subject to the limitations and exclusions below, Participating Properties have standard rooms available every day for Award Redemptions. These limitations and exclusions are:
i. Participating Properties may limit the number of standard rooms available for redemption on a limited number of days.
ii. The following Participating Brands allow only for Points/Miles earnings and do not offer Points redemption: Marriott Executive Apartments® and ExecuStay®.
Iii. The following Participating Properties or Brands either do not participate in or do not fully participate in the No Blackout Dates benefit at this time:
My understanding is that under the old terms:
- Marriott properties were able to select up to 10 dates to control/limit inventory on. They could also apply for an exception for up to another 60 dates.
- SPG properties were unable to control/limit inventory
Under the new terms:
- Both SPG & Marriott properties will be able to select up to 10 dates to control/limit inventory on. It’s no longer possible to ask for an exception for another 60 days
Keep in mind Marriott already uses peak and off peak pricing that is supposed to solve these high demand periods. This is also yet another Marriott change that was made with zero notice to members and in my opinion is a net negative. I personally don’t think you should be able to claim you have a no blackout date policy when it’s clear that by reading your own terms that is not accurate at all.
Hat tip to VFTW & LoyaltyLobby
