Recap: The Week’s Biggest Stories and Best Deals

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.

Were You 1 of 15 Million Victims of Online Hotel Scams?

A prominent industry group estimates the number of online hotel-booking scams at an eye-popping 15 million per year, worth around $1.3 billion. Hmmm.

Where to Sit to Avoid Airsickness and the Dreaded Barf Bag

To one degree or other, many flyers suffer from airsickness. The first step in keeping the nausea at bay is choosing the right seat on the plane.

Those Samsung Smartphones, Still Smokin’

Those overheating Galaxy Note 7 phones that Samsung recalled and replaced? A new phone forced passengers to evacuate a Southwest flight last night. Uh-oh.

Need a Hotel, Call… SuperShuttle?

SuperShuttle’s survival plan calls for a move into discounted hotel bookings. It’s a strategy riddled with pitfalls and misjudgments.

Amex Ups Platinum Card Benefit in Response to New Chase Card

American Express today made the first in what promises to be a wave of moves to keep its Platinum card ahead of Chase’s new Sapphire Preferred card.

Earn Delta Elite-Qualifying Miles for Hilton Stays

Through December 31, Hilton HHonors members can earn double Delta miles plus 250 elite-qualifying miles for stays of two or more nights at any Hilton.

The Latest Award Discounts for American Air Credit Cardholders

Got an AAdvantage credit card issued by Citibank or Barclays? Then you may be entitled to book American award flights for fewer miles.

More Bonus Points from Hilton for Fall Stays

What’s better than Hilton’s double-points offer for fall stays? Triple points for stays booked on the Hilton app and completed by December 31.

Win a 6-Day Culinary Trip to Northern Italy

Enter this sweepstakes for a chance to win a six-day trip for two to Northern Italy, including air, hotels, and culinary tours and classes.

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

More from SmarterTravel:

• Is Uber a Force for Good, or for Evil?
• Hotel Booking: How to Get the Best Deal
• In Marriott-Starwood Merger, Best of Both Worlds for Customers

After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.