Choice Hotels Econolodge choice hotels Choice hotels, Comfort inn, Comfort suites, Quality, Clarion, Cambra suites, Mainstay suites, Surburban, Econolodge, Rodeway inn Points stolen back, $200 lost Phoenix, Arizona

I had 10,400 points accumulated in my Choice Privilege account. Turns out, if you don't book one of their hotels within two years (like during a recession), your points go pooof. 10,400 points is enough for more than one free night at many of their hotels.

I don't recall seeing that - or maybe I didn't have my magnifying glass and the urge to read through the small print many years ago when I signed up.

I asked why they didn't tell their "loyal" customers their points were about to be stolen back. They said, "Hey, you remember the little box on the screen when you set up your account that said 'You bet, I'd like to get (to be deluged) with (vast amounts) of promotional (smam) information'? You should have ticked it."

Just outta luck!