Missing stays tend to occur more frequently with overseas properties (based on what other FT members have reported). If your missing stays are US properties, you can call Marriott Rewards and ask them to credit the missing stays without sending in a fax of the folio (as long as the missing stay occurred in the past 60 days).

Have you selected the option of receiving a copy of the final bill via email? If you have, you should be able to send an email to Marriott Rewards to get credit for a missing international stay. Otherwise, you need to call Marriott Rewards and fax them a copy of your bill. If you do not have a copy of the bill, you need to get one by contacting Marriott.

Wait times for reservations vary (depending on elite level and the time you call). My longest wait as a platinum member was 10 minutes, but I try not to call when most people are calling (i.e. 4-6 pm on weekdays).

I have not yet stayed overseas, and I need to follow up on about 10 % of all stays or partner promotions (i.e. Hertz rentals). For me, it is worth it because the points allow me to get free nights and travel packages. It can be aggravating when things don't work out at first, but I would suggest you hang in there.

People on FT tend to be detail oriented and obsessive about earning points and miles. We are a pretty persistent group, and many of us will crunch numbers to figure out how to get the biggest bang for our traveling dollar (or euro, yen, pound, etc...).