Miles & Points: The Week’s Best Frequent-Flyer Deals (Week of October 4, 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.

United Introduces Opaque Hotel Awards

In a novel mashup of an airline mileage program and an opaque booking site, United has partnered with Hotwire to offer MileagePlus members hotel room-night awards for fewer miles.

The New Normal: Crowded, Uncomfortable Skies

For the foreseeable future, planes will fly at least 80% full. That means more discomfort for travelers: longer boarding lines, less overhead space, and more claustrophobia.

Spirit Adds Dining Miles to Free Spirit Program

Members of Spirit Airlines’ Free Spirit program can now earn up to five miles per $1 spent on meals at 10,000 participating restaurants.

American and Qatar Are Now Frequent-Flyer Partners

Members of American’s AAdvantage program can now earn and redeem miles on Qatar flights. There’s an important caveat on the earning side, however.

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Southwest Plans to Devalue Rapid Rewards Points

Southwest began notifying Rapid Rewards members that, effective on March 31, 2014, their points will be worth less.

Get Up to $100 Back for Holiday Inn Club Vacations Stays

Through November 30, IHG Rewards Club members can earn gift cards worth up to $100 for qualifying stays at Holiday Inn Club Vacations hotels.

When Delta Changes Award Names, Sparks Fly

This week’s change in Delta’s award-naming scheme has given rise to skepticism among SkyMiles members, who suspect there’s more to the new names than meets the eye.

Win One of Five Trips for Two to Paris

Enter to win one of five grand prizes, each consisting of a trip for two to Paris, including air, three nights’ hotel, $1,000 spending money, and one dinner.

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