Miles & Points: The Week’s Best Frequent-Flyer Deals (Week of February 5, 2016)

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.

Airlines to Harried Flyers: ‘Relax, Have a Pretzel’

Can cookies and pretzels distract coach-class flyers from their discomfort and frustration? The airlines are betting on it (but not much).

Travel Groups Call for Fed Review of Airline Competition

Has airline consolidation gone too far? That’s the question a group of travel organizations wants Congress to address.

Flyers’ Surprising Reaction to Delta CEO’s Departure

For shareholders and many travelers, Delta under its departing CEO has been an airline that made good on its key deliverables. But that’s not the whole story.

Iceland Layover? Let Icelandair Provide a ‘Stopover Buddy’

Icelandair’s new Stopover Buddy service pairs stopover passengers with locals, depending on their mutual interests in hiking, nature, food, culture, and so on.

Earn Bonus Miles for Delta Flights to Australia

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Through May 31, SkyMiles members can earn 5 bonus miles per $1 spent when flying Delta or Virgin Australia between Los Angeles and Sydney or Brisbane.

Alert: Award-Price Changes Coming to IHG Rewards

At InterContinental’s IHG Rewards, prices for award nights at 400 hotels will change by either 5,000 or 10,000 points, half moving up, half down. OK so far, but there’s more…

Award Discounts for AAdvantage Credit Card Holders

Got an AAdvantage credit card issued by Citibank or Barclays? Then you may be entitled to book American award flights for fewer miles.

Earn a $25 Gift Card After 2 Best Western Stays

Between February 8 and May 8, Best Western Rewards members can earn a $25 travel card after two qualifying stays, up to a maximum of five cards after 10 stays.

Win a 6-Night Culinary Tour for 2 to Thailand

Enter the “Trip to Thailand” sweepstakes by February 18 for a chance to win a six-night trip for two to Thailand, including air, hotel, cooking classes, and Thai massages.

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

More from SmarterTravel:

• How Did American Become the World’s Most Profitable Airline?
• JetBlue Cuts Legroom, Doubles Down on Distraction
• Delta Plans to Displace Elites with Paying Passengers in First Class

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.