Frequent-Flier Tips

Thanks for your timely comments on redeeming frequent-flier points (“Frequent-Flier Deals Not Always the Wisest Choice,” Travel Insider, May 23).

As a consultant to the travel and tourism industry, this is an issue that comes up frequently. In many cases, it’s just not worth the time, trouble and cost to use those points.

That can lead to a challenge to travelers when code-share partners are involved. Code-share partners often have far greater restrictions, as those points are an out-of-pocket cost to them. For example, if you use your American Airlines miles on Qantas and never earned any of them on Qantas, you’ve put Qantas in the position of “paying” for an award that generated nothing for it.

BRUCE TEPPER

San Francisco