Recap: The Week’s Biggest Travel 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.

With No Notice, Delta Ups Award Prices. Again

Once again, Delta has raised prices for award travel with no advance notice to members of its SkyMiles program.

United ‘Re-Accommodates’ a Doctor and the World Explodes. Why?

The torrent of anger directed at United after its latest passenger mishandling incident points up the frustration consumers harbor toward the airlines.

Don’t Want to Fly United? Here’s How to Redeem Your Miles

If you’ve joined the “Never Fly United” club and have a cache of United frequent-flyer miles, your options are limited. Here are some tips.

New Airline Quality Report: Winners & Losers

A new study attempts to rank U.S. airlines according to their “quality.” The findings may or may not accord with your own experience.

Free Plane Tickets, Anyone? JetBlue Is Giving Away 1,000 of Them

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JetBlue is giving away 1,000 free-flight vouchers. Here’s how to get yours.

Wyndham Offers Bonus Points Plus Discounts Through September 10

Wyndham Rewards members can earn 1,000 bonus points, plus enjoy a discounted rate, for stays of two or more consecutive nights at participating hotels.

Earn 3,000 Carlson Bonus Points for Mobile App Bookings

Combining this new bonus for mobile bookings with Carlson’s existing stay offer makes for a very compelling promotion. Don’t miss it!

Earn 50,000 Bonus AAdvantage Miles for DirecTV

For a limited time, members of American’s AAdvantage program can earn 50,000 bonus miles for purchasing a new DirecTV package. Deal or no deal?

Win a Week on Hawaii’s Big Island

Enter to win a seven-night trip to Hawaii for two, including airfare, seven nights at the Royal Kona Resort, local tours, rental car.

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

More from SmarterTravel:

• JetBlue Offers More Mint Service (But No More $399 Fares)
• Better Credit Card Terms? Just Ask!
• The 10 Most Dangerous Countries for U.S. Travelers

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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