Miles & Points: The Week's Best Frequent-Flyer Deals (Week of October 16, 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.



Up for Sale: Elite Status on US Airways



How much is 90 days' worth of US Airways elite status worth? Silver status will set you back $200. Gold costs $400. And Platinum is $600.



JetBlue Adds Family Pooling to TrueBlue



With the airline's new Family Pooling option, families (or other small groups) can pool their TrueBlue points in a single family account.



JetBlue Offers Fast Track to Elite Status



Through the end of this year, TrueBlue members can participate in a "challenge" to earn Mosaic elite status after accruing 3,750 base points within three months.



Best Western Brings Back Its Best-Rate Guarantee



Best Western has reprised its old best-rate guarantee, promising a $100 Best Western travel card if a traveler finds a rate published elsewhere that's at least $1.00 lower.



Flyers: TSA Is a Drag on the Travel Experience



In a new frequent-flyer poll, a resounding 84 percent of the respondents rated the performance of the TSA as either fair or poor. And the screenings? Not even effective.



Win a 12-Day European River Cruise for Two



Enter the Vantage Travel Highlights of Burgundy & Provence sweepstakes by November 15, 2013, for a chance to win the grand prize: a 12-day French waterways river cruise for two.

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