Air Travel

Nancy Tan of Fresno, California, wrote, “I would be very interested in reading comparisons of airlines’ frequent-flyer-mileage programs from travelers who are members of more than one airline’s loyalty program.”

We asked those of you who are members of more than one airline’s or airline alliance’s frequent-flyer program to tell us which one you prefer and why. What are some specific differences between the programs? When you have a choice of airlines on a particular route, do you make your decision based on the mileage program and, if so, for what reason(s)?

The airlines have continued to decrease the value of their mileage programs by requiring more points for rewards, changing the way points are earned and making it more difficult to use points to book flights on desirable days.

I believe that, instead of booking flights with miles by using an airline-rewards card, you are better off using a no-annual-fee credit card that gives 2% to 3% cash back on purchases. By using cash to purchase the tickets, you can get the flight times you want without any restrictions. 

Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 494th issue of your monthly foreign-travel magazine.

Those of you who regularly visit our website — www.intltravelnews.com — in order to read the latest issue, post a question on the Message Board or access years’ worth of travelers’ articles and letters for your trip planning, well, you may have noticed some improvements lately.

Rebecca F. of Brownell Travel

When my wife and I began overseas travel in the 1970s, one of the few ways we were able to get airline tickets was through travel agents. This was especially true for us, since we lived in a very small town.

Nancy Tan of Fresno, California, wrote, “I would be very interested in reading comparisons of airlines’ frequent-flyer-mileage programs from travelers who are members of more than one airline’s loyalty program.”

Top tips for traveling light

Fred Kissell, of chilly Pennsylvania, wrote (July ’16, pg. 62), “I would like to have ITN readers write in about where to spend a month or two in the winter. I live in Pittsburgh, and it would be really nice to go somewhere else in January and February.

“In my mind, the ideal winter getaway would be a warm, pretty, uncrowded, low-cost town with plenty to do in the vicinity. It also would have a low crime rate so I would be comfortable wandering around by myself. Does it exist?”