The world's worst frequent flier programs

 Which frequent flier programs are the worst? I tell all in my new USA Today column. Read it -- if you dare. 

You've made a difference! The Change.org petition that asks Congress to keep truth-in-advertising laws in place has hit 60,000 signatures. If you haven't added your name yet, please consider doing so now. 

Become the world's smartest traveler.  Buy my new book, How To Be The World's Smartest Traveler, and you'll never have another bad trip. (And if you do, you know where to find me, right?) 

Download the epilogue now. The unpublished final chapter of my book is now available exclusively from the National Geographic Facebook site. You can download it now at no additional charge. It's filled with exciting, funny and informative interviews with the world's smartest travelers. 

Please support this site. If you represent a forward-looking company that wants to stand up and be counted as one that supports good customer service, here's your chance. I have a limited number of corporate underwriter opportunities that have become available. Contact me for details. You can also become an individual underwriter. 

Thank you, AirportParkingReservations.com. When it comes to booking travel, people have learned to shop smart, using the web to find the best deals on flights, hotels, vacations, and more. AtAirportParkingReservations.com, travelers can do the same with airport parking. We're truly grateful to AirportParkingReservations.com for supporting this site and newsletter. 

Needed: Email newsletter gurus, SEO specialists. Are you tired of just reading about the latest consumer problems? Do you want to do something about it? Well, now you can. We need volunteers who specialize in creating newsletters and who know their way around analytics and SEO to help build the content for a next-generation consumer organization. Here's how to get involved. 

This week's burning question 

Have you lost your TSA Pre-Check status? I'm working on an article about how to lose your TSA Pre-Check status, and how to get it back. Have you been relieved of your status? Have you tried to get it back? I'd love to hear your story. Here's my email address. 

Bonus question: Tell me your international credit card horror stories. Have you taken a recent trip where your plastic didn't work? I'm interested in your story of chip-and-pin misfires, swipes that didn't work and ATMs that ate your card. Extra bonus points for a resolution that will help fellow readers. 

The latest news from the Travelers United blog network 

Away is Home. Our site about traveling together, we take you on a roller-coaster ride to Maui and show you how to get that vacation shot you won't want to miss. 

Consumer Traveler. On our travel policy site, we talk defensive packing tips and zero in on the best frequent flier programs. 

Elliott. On our advice site, we ask: What's the difference between a "shoppable" and "bookable" rate? Plus, here are the five most common travel mistakes -- and how to avoid them. This travelers friend died;where's his refund? And, does this patron deserve money for eating glass at a restaurant? 

Souvenirist. On our destination site, you've gotta check out these wingsuit jumpers. Wow. If you're booking travel through a website, you need to know this now. Also, read this before you go in the water this summer. 

Let's talk 

I'm listening. The stories you see in this newsletter are just a starting point. I hope you'll take a minute to leave a comment, whether you agree or disagree with something I've written. Let's continue the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Google. I'm listening. And of course, I'm also here if you need me. Here's my email address.