Delta, U.S. Airways Rank Worst for Frequent Flier Options

Delta Air Lines Inc. agreed to buy the 49% stake in Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd. held by Singapore Airlines Ltd. for $360 million to boost its share of the lucrative trans-Atlantic travel market. Virgin, the biggest long-haul rival to British Airways at London’s Heathrow airport, will also join forces with Atlanta- based Delta for the operation of flights between Europe and North America, the companies said today in a statement.

If approved, £11bn merge

Directors at AMR Corp.’s American Airlines and US Airways Group Inc. approved an US$11-billion merger that will create the world’s largest carrier and shrink the U.S. industry to three dominant companies, people familiar with the matter said. The airlines’ boards voted today after the two sides agreed to final terms, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Those decisions set the stage for an announcement tomorrow, the people said.

By Sammy Pollack:Since my initial mention of the stock, US Airways Group, Inc. (LCC) has been on a wild ride. Shares quickly moved higher as momentum started to build for the stock.

Most frequent flier programs are hopelessly opaque: You may have 40,000 miles on your account, but their value seems to change every day. So how do you make an informed decision of when to use your rewards miles?

Frequent flier miles aren't so enticing when they're taxable. That may be the sentiment among Citibank customers who are receiving 1099 tax forms from the bank to report their frequent flier miles.