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.

What It’s Like to Ride in Uber’s Driverless Cars

We have a sampling of comments and observations from journalists who were among the first to test-ride Uber’s new semi-driverless cars this month.

Are You a Victim of Vacation Deprivation? Probably

Were yours among the 658 million vacation days that Americans opted not to use last year? Hopefully not.

Need Help from an Airline? Don’t Bother Tweeting

A new study shows that Twitter has a long way to go before travelers can consider it a reliable channel for communicating with the airlines.

What Millennials Want, According to AccorHotels

By 2020, AccorHotels will roll out 50 new hotels under a new brand named Jo&Joe, specifically targeting Millennials. Awesome!

How to Get a $50 Rebate on Your Hyatt Regency Stay

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Hyatt credit cardholders who spend at least $500 at Hyatt Regency hotels in the U.S. by December 31, will receive a $50 statement credit.

PreCheck Now Available When Flying 19 Airlines

It’s been a long time in coming, but PreCheck, the TSA’s trusted-traveler program, is now available to passengers flying on Frontiers Airlines.

Yet Another Hotel Loyalty Program to Consider

Hotel loyalty programs are thriving. The latest is HT Perks, from last-minute hotel-booking company Hotel Tonight.

Hotel Guests, Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite!

The Bedbug Registry compiles reports from travelers who have been exposed to “parasitic insects of the cimicid family that feed on blood.” Handy!

Win a $3,000 Cruise, Plus 250,000 United Miles

Enter this sweepstakes for a chance to win the grand prize: 250,000 United MileagePlus miles, plus a $3,000 voucher redeemable for a cruise.

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

More from SmarterTravel:

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

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.

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