Road Reads

"Mileage Pro," by Randy Petersen and Tim Winship

BOOK: "Mileage Pro," by Randy Petersen and Tim Winship (OAG Worldwide, $19.95)

TARGET AUDIENCE: People who ask hospital emergency room staff, "Can I get miles for this?"

How much of a fanatic do you want to be? Frequent-flier plans, started essentially as the airborne equivalent of Green Stamps, have become valuable ways to build customer loyalty -- to the point of obsession. They can affect your choice not only of airline, but also lodging, car rental, the card you charge it all on and the telephone you use to place your order.

Much of this information can be gathered in many places (including the pages of this travel section), but Petersen and Winship have put it into one handy, if occasionally repetitive, package. The basics are here, and also advanced mileage trading strategies. Learn how to game the system, how to exploit elite passenger status, even how to leave unused miles to your heirs. As for upgrades to business or first class: "He who hesitates sits in coach."

-- Jerry V. Haines