All Frequent Flyer Q&A Columns

• Help, My Frequent Flyer Miles Expired!
  June 7, 2011 12:00 am
  Sarah's 60,000 United miles suddenly disappeared, victim of the airline's expiration policy. Can they be recovered? Tim Winship explains the options, and the fees. read more
• Help, Fuel Surcharges Are Making My 'Free' Ticket Unaffordable!
  May 16, 2011 9:43 am
  Not all airlines impose phony "extra" surcharges, writes Tim Winship. Here's how to make sure your free ticket stays free. read more
• The Best Non-Airline Credit Card for Travel Rewards?
  April 5, 2011 12:00 am
  A reader asks about switching from an airline-specific credit card to American Express. Tim Winship replies. read more
• How Can Miles Be Transferred Between Spouses?
  March 2, 2011 8:52 am
  Our reader's husband is no longer able to travel. Can he transfer his United miles to his wife's account? Tim Winship suggests a better way. read more
• Why Does a British Airways Award Ticket Cost $500?
  February 1, 2011 12:00 am
  Ingrid was quoted more than $500 in fees to use her British Airways miles for an award trip. Tim Winship explains the how, the why, and the options. read more
• Which Credit Card Will Maximize My Miles?
  January 4, 2011 9:19 am
  Our reader is poised to buy big-ticket items, and wants to maximize her miles in the process. Tim Winship outlines her options. read more
• How Can I Donate My Frequent Flyer Miles to a Worthy Cause?
  December 7, 2010 9:28 am
  Our reader has more than 300,000 frequent flyer miles and wants to donate them to a worthy cause. Can he? How? Tim Winship has answers and suggestions. read more
• Can I Upgrade My Round-the-World Honeymoon Trip?
  November 3, 2010 2:05 pm
  Marko is using frequent flyer miles for his honeymoon trip and wants to upgrade himself and his bride. Tim Winship suggests his best bet might be to play the "just married" card. read more
• Can I Get to Hawaii Using Frequent Flyer Miles?
  October 5, 2010 8:40 am
  Is a free first-class ticket to Hawaii a realistic expectation? Tim Winship shares tips and tricks for successfully booking award trips. read more
• Should I Just Scrap My Airline Credit Card?
  September 7, 2010 12:00 am
  Airline and hotel credit cards are being challenged by independent rewards cards with easier redemption. Is it time to switch? Maybe, according to Tim Winship. read more
• Can I Transfer My Iberia Frequent Flyer Miles to American?
  August 3, 2010 11:13 am
  Since American and Iberia are frequent flyer partners, I should be able to transfer miles from one program to the other, right? Wrong, according to Tim Winship. read more
• Should I Get a JetBlue Credit Card?
  July 6, 2010 12:00 am
  Do 10,000 bonus TrueBlue points make the JetBlue credit card a good buy? Maybe. But there might be better deals to be had, according to Tim Winship. read more
• No United Miles for My Singapore Airlines Flights?
  June 1, 2010 12:00 am
  Singapore is a member of United's loyalty program, but Nancy was denied United miles for her Singapore flights. It's not a new problem, according to Tim Winship. read more
• Why Did Hilton Award Brian a Free Night?
  May 4, 2010 12:00 am
  Brian earned a free night from Hilton, even though he didn't satisfy all the promotion's conditions. Tim Winship explains how, and why there's a lesson here for everyone. read more
• Unlimited Free Upgrades on United? Really?
  April 6, 2010 8:19 am
  Erica wonders whether United's promise of unlimited upgrades is heaven or hype. Tim Winship puts the new policy into perspective. read more
• Credit Card Benefits -- Denied!
  March 3, 2010 9:01 am
  Kat's husband has a SkyMiles credit card, but Delta and American Express are denying him a standard cardholder benefit. Tim Winship reads the fine print. read more
• What Happened to My Bonus Miles?
  February 2, 2010 12:00 am
  Our reader complied with the terms of a 10,000-mile bonus offer, but Delta is withholding her miles. Tim Winship investigates and suggests a fair-minded solution. read more
• Does American Discriminate Against Families?
  January 5, 2010 10:11 am
  A reader found himself stymied when trying to book a free trip for himself and his wife, and wonders if American has it in for families. Tim Winship offers his take. read more
• Can I Get My Elite Miles Back? Please!
  December 1, 2009 9:09 am
  When Delta changed our reader's schedule, he realized he would earn fewer elite-qualifying miles. Should Delta award him the original miles, or is he out of luck? read more
• Best Credit Cards for Earning Free Travel
  November 3, 2009 12:00 am
  Ready, set, charge your way to a free trip! Tim Winship reviews the "best" cards around, and explains how to make them work for you. read more
• Can I Move Frequent Flyer Miles Among Programs?
  October 6, 2009 12:01 am
  For consumers, the ability to exchange miles and points between their various airline and hotel loyalty accounts is an obvious plus. Airlines and hotels see the matter very differently. read more
• Do Rental Car Companies Charge Extra for Frequent Flyer Miles?
  September 1, 2009 12:00 am
  Tim Winship explains that it's standard practice for rental car companies to charge for frequent flyer miles, and advises it may not be worth the expense. read more
• American's Flex Awards: Good, Bad, or Ugly?
  August 4, 2009 10:21 am
  Our reader thinks American's Flex Awards are a scam masquerading as frequent flyer salvation. Is he right? Tim Winship thinks not, and explains why. read more
• Airline or Hotel Programs ... Which Are Better?
  July 7, 2009 12:00 am
  A reader wonders whether he was right to ignore hotel programs in favor of airline schemes for 25 years. Tim Winship suggests he may have missed out on some worthwhile perks. read more
• Can I Just Pay a Travel Agent to Book My Award Trip?
  June 2, 2009 12:00 am
  Finding frequent flyer award seats is a hassle. It'll cost you, but the fee charged by a travel agent might be worth it. read more
• Are Better Hotel Bonuses on the Way?
  May 5, 2009 12:00 am
  A reader wonders if he should book his September hotel stay now, or wait for lower rates and better frequent flyer bonuses. Tim Winship tackles the when-to-book dilemma head on. read more
• Disappearing Miles Leave Flyers With Little Recourse
  April 7, 2009 12:00 am
  Loyalty programs and frequent flyer miles cannot be taken for granted. If you value your miles, give them the attention they require. read more
• When to Trade Your Miles Regardless of the Cost
  March 3, 2009 12:00 am
  Never mind about the poor exchange rate. Sometimes it makes perfect sense to cash in your miles for a gift card. Tim Winship explains. read more
• New Mileage Fees Causing Headaches
  March 23, 2009 1:53 pm
  Our reader complains that rush fees turn frequent flyer awards into expensive propositions. Some of these fees can be avoided, but it's not easy read more
• Will New Delta Mileage Program Be a Winner?
  January 6, 2009 12:00 am
  Our reader has questions about the program arising out of the merger between Delta and Northwest. Tim Winship has answers. read more

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