http://www.smartertravel.com/all/?content_type=column&column_type=ff_qa&source=rss_ffrq Tim Winship: Frequent Flyer Q&A Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:54:15 -0500 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:54:15 -0500 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. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/best-credit-cards-for-earning-free-travel.html?id=3778772&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:39:17 -0400 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. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/can-move-frequent-flyer-miles-among-programs.html?id=3664825&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:26:36 -0400 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. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/do-rental-car-companies-charge-extra-for-frequent-flyer-miles.html?id=3543111&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:19:55 -0400 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. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/american-flex-awards-good-bad-or-ugly.html?id=3438661&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 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. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/airline-or-hotel-programs-which-are-better.html?id=3340994&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:44:28 -0400 Finding frequent flyer award seats is a hassle. It'll cost you, but the fee charged by a travel agent might be worth it. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/can-just-pay-travel-agent-to-book-my-award-trip.html?id=3232106&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:19:55 -0400 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. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/are-better-hotel-bonuses-on-the-way.html?id=2893777&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:05:29 -0400 Loyalty programs and frequent flyer miles cannot be taken for granted. If you value your miles, give them the attention they require. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/disappearing-miles-leave-flyers-with-little-recourse.html?id=2873737&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:37:52 -0400 Never mind about the poor exchange rate. Sometimes it makes perfect sense to cash in your miles for a gift card. Tim Winship explains. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/when-to-trade-your-miles-regardless-of-the-cost.html?id=2844712&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:42:05 -0500 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 http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/rush-fees-take-the-value-out-of-award-travel.html?id=2824972&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:39:50 -0500 Our reader has questions about the program arising out of the merger between Delta and Northwest. Tim Winship has answers. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/will-new-delta-mileage-program-be-winner.html?id=2801365&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:17:57 -0500 Need a few more miles to reach elite status? A long, cheap flight can get you there. Read this first. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-to-pick-flight-for-your-year-end-mileage-run.html?id=2789302&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500 A reader poses a variation on the classic miles-or-cash question. The answer depends on the value of a frequent flyer mile. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/should-pay-with-cash-or-frequent-flyer-miles.html?id=2770997&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:43:04 -0500 Everyone pays for the government-operated security checkpoints. Our reader wonders whether it's fair that some travelers are favored with priority service. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/should-some-flyers-get-through-security-faster.html?id=2754600&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:55:15 -0400 Unbeknownst to many travelers, many foreign airlines don't award miles for cheap tickets. Should Qantas have done a better job of informing our reader of such restrictions? http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/why-didn-earn-miles-for-my-international-flight.html?id=2664764&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:04:05 -0400 There have always been good reasons to look close to home for mileage programs. Foreign carriers' hefty fuel surcharges can now be added to the list. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/should-join-non-u-mileage-program.html?id=2648317&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:10:40 -0400 A reader plans to wait before cashing in her Northwest miles for an overseas trip and wonders if it's safe to do so. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/will-my-miles-still-be-around-in-two-years.html?id=2628535&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400 Business-class awards are more expensive than coach, right? Not always. Sometimes you can redeem fewer miles for a more comfortable seat. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/business-class-awards-cheaper-than-coach.html?id=2611016&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:45:12 -0400 You would assume that redeeming miles for free travel on an airline's alliance partner would be easy. As Tim Winship explains, you'd be wrong. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/why-is-it-so-hard-to-cash-in-miles-to-australia.html?id=2568357&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 A reader from Hawaii accumulated frequent flyer miles with the AlohaPass Program. Now that Aloha is no longer flying, he wonders what has become of his miles. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/did-my-miles-disappear-along-with-aloha-airlines.html?id=2549927&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:26:38 -0400 My husband and I saved our miles for years for just this one upgrade, and now, found out we couldn't use our miles to bump up to first class because our tickets were discounted. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/how-can-upgrade-to-first-class-using-my-miles.html?id=2534220&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:57:55 -0400 When you get a 10th sandwich free at your local sub shop, you don't pay taxes. Tim Winship explains why frequent flyer miles are different. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/why-are-miles-seen-as-taxable-benefit.html?id=2513539&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:33:03 -0500 A reader is looking for an alternative to his Alaska Airlines credit card. Read why our expert thinks he should stick with the card he already has. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/is-there-an-alternative-to-my-airline-credit-card.html?id=2495705&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500 Tim Winship explains how to donate your miles when your favorite charity isn't included in the airlines' mileage donation programs. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/can-donate-miles-to-charity-of-my-choosing.html?id=2476873&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:49:46 -0500 A flight has many empty seats, but the airline won't let you use the lowest number of miles to book a flight. Tim Winship explains the rules behind this irrational behavior. http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/why-can-use-miles-on-empty-flights.html?id=2464638&source=rss_ffrq ffrq Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:32:28 -0500