Best Credit Cards for Earning Free Travel

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.

Help, My Frequent Flyer Miles Expired!

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.

What Happened to My Bonus Miles?

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.

Why Did Hilton Award Brian a Free Night?

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.

How Can I Donate My Frequent Flyer Miles to a Worthy Cause?

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.

Can I Get to Hawaii Using Frequent Flyer Miles?

Is a free first-class ticket to Hawaii a realistic
expectation? Tim Winship shares tips and tricks for successfully
booking award trips.

Help, Fuel Surcharges Are Making My 'Free' Ticket Unaffordable!

Not all airlines impose phony "extra" surcharges, writes Tim
Winship. Here's how to make sure your free ticket stays
free.

Can I Transfer My Iberia Frequent Flyer Miles to American?

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.

Should I Just Scrap My Airline Credit Card?

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.

Does American Discriminate Against Families?

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.

Can I Move Frequent Flyer Miles Among Programs?

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.

Which Credit Card Will Maximize My Miles?

Our reader is poised to buy big-ticket items, and wants to
maximize her miles in the process. Tim Winship outlines her
options.

Airline or Hotel Programs ... Which Are Better?

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.

Can I Just Pay a Travel Agent to Book My Award Trip?

Finding frequent flyer award seats is a hassle. It'll cost
you, but the fee charged by a travel agent might be worth
it.

American's Flex Awards: Good, Bad, or Ugly?

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.

Do Rental Car Companies Charge Extra for Frequent Flyer Miles?

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.

Can I Get My Elite Miles Back? Please!

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?

Credit Card Benefits -- Denied!

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.

Unlimited Free Upgrades on United? Really?

Erica wonders whether United's promise of unlimited upgrades
is heaven or hype. Tim Winship puts the new policy into
perspective.

No United Miles for My Singapore Airlines Flights?

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.

Should I Get a JetBlue Credit Card?

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.

Can I Upgrade My Round-the-World Honeymoon Trip?

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.

Why Does a British Airways Award Ticket Cost $500?

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.

How Can Miles Be Transferred Between Spouses?

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.

The Best Non-Airline Credit Card for Travel Rewards?

A reader asks about switching from an airline-specific credit
card to American Express. Tim Winship replies.