Recap: The Week’s Biggest Travel 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.

J.D. Power: ‘Air Travel Is Better than Ever’

Flying in the face of much evidence to the contrary, yet another study suggests that air travel has never been better. Whence the disconnect?

Air Canada Will Have All-New Loyalty Program in 2020

Beginning in June 2020, Air Canada will sever its ties with Aeroplan and launch an all-new mileage program of its own design. Stay tuned for details.

World’s Largest Airline Will Add Seats, Reduce Legroom

American, the world’s largest airline, plans to add more coach seats to some planes, reducing legroom to as little as 29 inches. Ouch!

New Alaska Air Benefit: Elite Extension for New Parents

Elite members of Alaska Airlines’ mileage program will now have their status extended after periods of pregnancy or parental leave. Well played, Alaska.

JetBlue Has a New Points Partner: Icelandair

Members of JetBlue’s TrueBlue program now have another points-earning option: Icelandair flights.

Earn Up to 10,000 AAdvantage Miles with Program Partners

Through June 15, American AAdvantage members can earn up to 10,000 bonus miles for completing mileage-earning transactions with four AAdvantage partners.

New InterContinental Promotion: ‘Earn at Least 30,000 Bonus Points’

Between May 15 and August 31, IHG Rewards Club members can earn “at least 30,000 bonus points” for completing a series of targeted tasks.

Here’s Your Chance to Win a 15-Day Cruise to 8 Countries

Here’s your chance to win a 15-day cruise for two between Stockholm, Sweden, and Bergen, Norway, including roundtrip air between the U.S. and cruise ports.

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

More from SmarterTravel:

• Congress Warns Airlines: Do Better, or Else
• Will the Government Make Air Travel Great Again?
• Don’t Want to Fly United? Here’s How to Redeem Your Miles