Recap: This 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.

United Chases Big Spenders with New Business Class

In the airline’s first major initiative since replacing its CEO, United this week announced details of a major upgrade to its international business-class product.

Inflight Entertainment – Free, Free, Free on Delta

The headline of this morning’s news release from Delta: “Delta Becomes Only U.S. Airline to Offer All In-Flight Entertainment For Free.”

America’s Airlines Are ‘Awful’

“Asia’s airlines are mostly excellent; Europe’s are competent; America’s are awful.” Ouch!

Bernie Sanders Compares Disneyland to Wal-Mart

Is “The Happiest Place on Earth” rightly so-called? One prominent politician thinks not.

10 Places NOT to Go this Summer

Follow the crowds, if you must. But a contrarian approach will save you time, money, and aggravation.

The TSA Has Caused How Many Missed Flights?

We knew there was a problem; now we know just how big a problem it is.

Earn a 60,000-Mile Bonus for American AAdvantage Credit Card

For a limited time, the sign-up bonus for the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard has been increased to 60,000 miles. Deal or no deal?

Look, Up in the Air, It’s a Shark!

Shark Week is coming, and Southwest Airlines is all in, with a shark-themed B737 and sweepstakes.

Win a 4-day trip for 4 to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Enter the Pernod Ricard “Chivas Spring Mexico” sweepstakes by June 30 for a chance to win a four-day trip for four to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, including air, transfers, and $500 spending money. (As is very rarely the case with travel sweepstakes, winner may elect to receive a check for $5,000 in lieu of the trip.)

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

More from SmarterTravel:

• Is Airbnb Killing the Hotel Business?
• Problem or Solution: Which Kind of Driver Are You?
• One Free Night After 3 Vegas Nights? Bet on It!

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.