My story - bought a $300 eGift late last year during a promo planning to use in March but that fell through.

Tried to use it in mid June - came back with $0 value. The Hyatt Place was fine (seen it before) - they took the details and said they would contact Hyatt - I had to fly out that morning. They said I did not need to pay anything.

I contacted Hyatt as well later that day - once I explained, I was told "someone who handles these things" would call back. They did within 15 minutes; I explained I had been hoping to use the balance at a property I was overnighting at the next morning.

She sent me an email I was to to give to the property explaining that the balance (~$85) that should have been on the card was to be credited to my account and Hyatt corporate would pay it.

The next day at the front desk they refused to do so - I had another flight to catch so had to pay the full amount withou further negotiation.

Later that day I emailed back to Hyatt corporate stating what had happened. I received a 'phone call within an hour advising they would get the property to refund me the balance.

There was nothing for a week, so I emailed again.

A week later I received an apologetic email asking my to hold tight - they would again contact the property.

Still nothing, so two weeks later I sent another email - this was replied to almost strait away, stating they would be contacting the property.

A week later (it was now mid July), still nothing so I emailed again. A day later I received an email again apologizing, stating the management at the property had changed, the details of my situation had been mislaid and the credit would be going through. Also, 10,000 points were to be credited to my GP account as compensation. I logged on and there it was 10,000 points- 2 days later the credit arrived on my card account.

To finish it all I sent an email thanking them for their efforts.