Miles & Points: The Week’s Best Frequent-Flyer Deals (Week of August 30, 2013)

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.

Merger Trial Start Date Set: November 25

A federal judge has set November 25 as the start date for the trial pitting the Justice department against would-be merger partners, American and US Airways.

American Accuses DOJ of Sabotaging Merger

The latest court documents filed by American and US Air contend the DOJ’s proposed trial date would derail the two airlines’ merger plan altogether.

Fly to Hawaii for Fewer American Miles

Between September 11 and December 17, AAdvantage members can fly to Hawaii from the mainland U.S. or Canada for 15,000 miles each way. Aloha!

DOJ Wants March Start Date for American Merger Trial

The DOJ will be ready to defend its lawsuit to halt the American-US Airways merger in March. But the airlines want the trial to begin in November. A judge will decide on Friday.

Is InterContinental’s New Offer Really a ‘Big Win’? Maybe

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Between September 1 and December 31, members of InterContinental’s IHG Rewards can earn a minimum of up to 50,000 bonus points by completing a series of tasks.

New Fuel Surcharges for AAdvantage Awards? Not!

American AAdvantage members awoke this morning to the news that fuel surcharges would be imposed on all international awards. American says it was all a big mistake.

Big July Profit Belies American’s Urge to Merge

American has claimed that it can’t compete against the likes of Delta and United without merging with US Airways. The airline’s outsized July profit undercuts that argument.

New IHG PointBreaks List Is a Disappointment

PointBreaks rates represent a discount of at least 50 percent. But the list of participating hotels has shrunk, from 188 to 119.

Win a Cruise for Two to Europe or Alaska

Enter the Holland America Cruise for Two sweepstakes by March 31, 2014 for a chance to win a cruise for two to Europe or Alaska.

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