Miles & Points: The Week’s Best Frequent Flyer Deals

Following is our regular summary of the best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.

If it was a good deal—or a notably bad deal—from an airline, hotel, or car rental loyalty program, you can read all about it here, and plan your travel accordingly.

New Fees Set to Tarnish Southwest’s Image

In setting new fees, Southwest’s managers are betting they can simultaneously erode Southwest’s goodwill quotient while boosting its profitability. Magical thinking?

Oneworld, the ‘World’s Leading Airline Alliance’?

Top honors recently earned by Oneworld raise the question: What make one global airline alliance better than another? And what’s the best alliance for U.S.-based flyers?

Earn 1,000 Hyatt Points for Avis Rentals

Through December 31, 2013, Hyatt Gold Passport members can earn 1,000 points for Avis rentals of two or more days at participating locations.

Two Weeks Only: Triple JetBlue Points

Through December 31, TrueBlue members can earn triple points on all JetBlue flights booked and flown by year’s end. Nice bonus, but a two-week promotion period. …?

Discounted Awards for Citi AAdvantage Cardholders

Citi AAdvantage credit card holders can save up to 30 percent on award prices to select destinations.

Alaska Lounge Memberships Come With Bonuses

Through December 31, new annual Alaska Air airport lounge memberships come with two bonuses: 5,000 bonus miles for the buyer, plus a donation on the buyer’s behalf to a charity.

Marriott Lifetime Elite Status Easier to Earn

To earn lifetime elite status, Marriott partisans will be required to stay fewer nights. And the minimum-membership duration will be scrapped.

Hyatt Reprices Award Nights at 17 Hotels for 2013

When hotels announce their annual award-price changes, the news generally ranges from bad to very bad. The upcoming Hyatt changes are an exception.

Q&A: Fate of American Flyers in a US Air Merger?

Question: “Now that the American Airlines/US Airways merger appears certain, what do you predict will be the fate of frequent flyers, especially those with American?” We have answers.