About once a year, I do a full "audit" of my FF accounts, and spend/waste a morning on the phone/fax with all of the Customer Service departments to get missing points and miles recredited. It usually yields about 25,000 - 50,000 points/miles for a few hours' work.

I've never had a problem with Hyatt until today, when I was told a strict "90 day" rule applies, even for Diamond members. You get a whole 90 days to contest any missing stays, and if not corrected within 6 months, they are gone forever. I asked why this is, especially since 1. their paper account statements are always at least 90 days in arrears, and 2. the entire account history is visible on the website.

The answer: check the website every month.

It's bad enough that few (if ever) of the bonuses make it through, but now I have to audit my statements every month and keep hounding them? That seems a little draconian, especially since I can look at my 8 years of Hyatt stays online.

There goes 15,000 points down the toilet...