Bidding a Not-So-Fond Farewell to 2009

As we did last week, and for the last time this year, we are departing from our normal format to bring you a holiday grab bag of travel-related news and advice, from myself (Tim Winship) and some of my colleagues at SmarterTravel.com, FrequentFlier.com's sister publication.

For this year-end issue, we promised you more of an emphasis on significant events over the past year. So here are ten 2009 stories with implications for 2010, five on travel generally, five on topics related specifically to loyalty programs.

Among the latter: British Airways' short-lived credit promotion, the U.S. Mint mileage scheme, Senator Chuck Schumer's call for mileage program oversight, the relaunch of JetBlue's TrueBlue, and the consolidation of Delta and Northwest's mileage programs.

We'll return to our usual format next week. In the meantime, feel free to email us with any comments or observations -- we'll publish them in the "Rants & Raves" section in upcoming issues.

Best to all for 2010. And as always: May your miles never expire.

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• Introducing the World's Most Lucrative Credit Card
  With a 100,000-mile bonus, the new British Airways credit card may be the best travel-rewards card ever offered. Or it was, until the airline downsized the sign-up bonus.
• Northwest's WorldPerks -- R.I.P.
  Northwest's mileage program has now been folded into Delta's, creating the world's largest mileage program. Former WorldPerks members should monitor the merger process, to confirm all their miles transferred.
• JetBlue Revises, Relaunches TrueBlue
  JetBlue has completely overhauled its TrueBlue program. The new scheme awards points for dollars spent and scraps blackouts. While improved, it remains a work in progress.
• New York Senator Wants Frequent Flyer Regulation
  Senator Chuck Schumer has asked the DOT to look into airlines' "deceptive business practices." Legislation regulating mileage programs could result.
• Free Miles, Get Your Free Frequent Flyer Miles Here!
  Can you earn a zillion frequent flyer miles without spending a dime? A recent offer from the U.S. Mint proves that you can. Sorta. Sometimes.
• What the New Tarmac Delay Rules Mean
  Unsurprisingly, the DOT's new tarmac delay rules generated some pretty divided responses. Find out what people are saying, and what we can expect when the new rules go into effect.
• The Worst Airline Fees of the Year
  In this age of abundant airline fees, it takes a lot to be crowned the year's worst. Plus, nominate your own worst fees of the year!
• Travel in 2009: The Good, the Bad, and the Funny
  As 2009 comes to a close, it's time to look back at some of the year's travel news. Some of it was good, some bad, and mixed in there were also some funny, weird, and wacky travel tales.
• What Are You Willing to Give Up for Security?
  As the country reels from the latest brush with disaster, many are calling for tighter security. But you can't have tighter security without sacrifice, and therein lies the problem.
• Airlines: 2009 Was Bad, But 2010 is a Mystery
  2009 was an extremely difficult year for the airline industry, with billions of dollars lost across the board. And no one knows, or will say, if 2010 will be any better.