Miles & Points: The Week’s Best Frequent-Flyer Deals (Week of May 9, 2014)

Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and 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.

Wanna Visit N. Korea? There’s an App for That

Although nominally geared for adventure-seekers, the new North Korea Travel app may be most popular with armchair travelers, who place safety and comfort above novelty and danger.

The 27-Inch-Pitch Airline Seat Is Coming

Spirit and Ryanair already cram as many seats as possible into their planes. But it could get worse, as a new benchmark for ultra-cramped seating is in the offing.

Virgin America in Push for Dallas Love Field

If Dallas awards the two available gates at Love Field to Southwest, the airline will control 90% of the airport’s gates. Virgin America contends the airport needs more competition.

US Air’s 100% Buy-Miles Bonus Is Back

Through May 25, Dividend Miles members will receive a bonus of up to 100% more miles when purchasing miles as gifts or for their own accounts.

New Marriott Offer: Double Points After 2nd Stay

Between June 1 and August 31, Marriott Rewards members can earn double points for the second and subsequent stays at participating Marriott hotels.

Bonus Miles for American’s New LaGuardia Flights

Through June 30, American AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles members can earn bonus miles for American Eagle flights between LaGuardia and 10 cities,

Southwest Bonus for AirTran A+ Rewards Members

Southwest is offering A+ Rewards members a 750-point bonus for verifying their accounts and linking them to an existing or new Rapid Rewards account.

Frequent-Flyer Award Seats: More Availability?

IdeaWorks this week released its Reward Seat Availability Survey, one the few systematic attempts to quantify the availability of saver coach awards. Your results may differ.

Win a Trip for Two to Paris

Enter the Williams Sonoma Passport to Paris sweepstakes by June 8 for a chance to win a trip for two to Paris, including airfare, four nights’ hotel, and a $1,000 gift card.

Somebody has to win, right? Might as well be you.