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.

New Spirit Carry-On Restrictions: A Race To The Bottom

Beginning on April 4, Spirit will further tighten up its rules on carry-on bags, which were already among the industry’s most restrictive.

Hilton Enhances, Renames the Honors Program

Hilton’s HHonors program this week gets a new name, Honors, and four new features, including points pooling and a new rewards partner, Amazon.com.

Earn More Miles with 2 Valentine’s Day Shopping Bonuses

Through Valentine’s Day, two of the largest airline programs are offering bonus miles for purchases made on their online mileage malls.

Tax Avoiders Could Lose Their Passports

Beginning this year, delinquent taxpayers risk having their passports denied or revoked. Here’s the low-down on the link between taxes and travel.

Delta Adds 3rd Option for Top-Tier Elites

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Life for elite members of Delta’s SkyMiles program will get a bit cushier with the addition of new perks and extra flexibility in using them.

Hilton’s New Promotion Is 2,000 Bonus Points Per Night

Between February 1 and April 30, Honors members can earn 2,000 bonus points for every eligible night at any hotel in the Hilton network.

Unlimited Budget? Here Are the 10 Best U.S. Hotels

U.S. News & World Report’s latest survey of the country’s best hotels is an eye-opener, but the top-rated properties are budget-busters.

Trump Blames Travel-Ban Chaos on Delta, Protesters

This weekend’s airport chaos caused by President Trump’s ban on immigrants doesn’t bode well for the next four years of overseas travel.

Win a 6-Night Trip for 2 to Paris

Enter to win a trip to Paris, including a $1,000 credit to cover airfare, six nights hotel, breakfasts, tours of Versailles and Paris, and cooking classes.

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

More from SmarterTravel:

• Allergic to Nuts? It Could Get You Kicked Off the Plane
• Not a Misprint: Europe Flights for $69, Available Now
• The Days of Seatback TV May Be Numbered

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.