FrequentFlier Blog

In what could be a harbinger of bad times ahead for American customers, the Dallas Morning News is reporting that the airline plans to squeeze more seats onto its B737 and MD-80 planes. The two aircraft types together account for 63 percent of American's fleet, so the effects of any change will be widely felt.

Since basically cloning Marriott's Rewards program and rebranding it as Ritz-Carlton Rewards, in 2010, Ritz-Carlton hasn't made much use of the program to actively promote its hotels. But the few promotions it has launched have been good ones. And the latest is no exception. Offer Details Between July 1 and October 31,

The Citibank-issued credit cards linked to American's AAdvantage program have long featured a benefit that can represent real extra value, both to holding an AAdvantage credit card specifically and to program membership generally: discounted award tickets. Holders of the various AAdvantage-affiliated credit cards can book awards to selected U.S. and Canadian destinations at discounted prices.

A company that treats its employees well is more likely to treat its customers well. I can't recall whether that chestnut came to me from the street or academia, but it's a correlation I've always assumed to exist. So when I come across studies of employee satisfaction, especially in the travel industry, I take note. A just-released survey by Glassdoor.com, reported in Forbes,

Blurry vision and a frequent-flyer mileage deficit? Two problems, one solution. Offer Details Members of US Airways' Dividend Miles program can earn 1,000 bonus miles for completing a Lasik vision exam, and another 24,000 bonus miles after completing Lasik treatment at a LasikPlus Center. The offer is not valid in New York, Virginia, or Texas.

For all the talk of merging American and US Airways, the reality was always that the tie-up was more like a hostile takeover than a marriage between willing partners. US Airways' chief Doug Parker wanted American -- which was an unwilling partner until the outcome was all but inevitable -- and he was cunning and audacious enough to get a deal done.

Enter the Wyndham Rewards "Million Miles" sweepstakes by August 26 for a chance to win the grand prize: 1 million American AAdvantage miles. Bi-weekly prizes of 1,000 miles each will also be awarded. To participate, provide the requested contact information on the sweepstakes webpage and press "Enter." Time required to enter: under 30 seconds.

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. The 10 Worst Airlines for Fees Nuisance fees are on the rise, up 19.6% in 2012.

Ancillary revenue. That's the money airlines make from the sale of products and services over and above basic airfare. Much of those ancillary revenues come from baggage fees, change fees, seat-selection fees, early-boarding fees, and so on -- the sort of charges widely derided by consumers as nickel-and-dimeing.