Last week we presented a query from a reader desperately seeking frequent-flier therapy. It turns out, as one of our readers notes below, that an article addressing her dilemma is posted online.
And check out this week’s query — from a woman executive on the subject of airline sexism. Do you agree or disagree? Do you have any advice for her? Send your opinions and tips to wanderlust@salonmagazine.com.

Last week’s query:

Is there any way to save 15,000 frequent-flier miles due to expire with United Airlines by the end of December? I have another 5,000 miles — or a total of 20,000 — but need 25,000 for a free trip and I don’t particularly want
to travel next month just to pick up 5,000 miles. Any advice?


– GLORIA D.

Road warrior Michael Quinlan responds:
There is a nice article about what to do with soon-to-be-expiring miles at http://www.biztravel.com/biztraveler. It’s called “Use ‘Em or Lose ‘Em” and it’s in the bizFlyer 101 section of the magazine.

In short, Gloria D. has two realistic options. First, she could request an
upgrade voucher. If she requests it now, it’ll still be good for up to
a year after she gets it. United’s upgrades can be redeemed for as
little as 10,000 miles, but there is also an unrestricted upgrade
available for 20,000 miles.

Second, she could see if her employer would purchase the extra 5,000
miles she needs for a free trip as her early Christmas bonus. (United
only allows businesses to purchase these “incentive miles.” Individual
members of United’s Mileage Plus program can not buy them.)

Hope this helps.

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This week’s query:

I would like to address the subject of sexism on major airlines. I fly a great deal; my usual business trip takes me from
Atlanta to New York and back, usually on the same day. Because I am an
officer in my company, I fly first class. As a female, I am usually in
the minority in the first class section of the plane. In the past three
years, I have encountered the rudest, most blatantly hostile treatment from,
ironically, female flight attendants. I have been asked to show my seat
assignment, while the men around me are asked what they would like to
drink. I have been told to put my coat in the overhead compartment while
my male counterpart’s coat is hung up. On one particular occasion while
returning from a Metropolitan Museum meeting lugging four portfolios, I
asked the flight attendant for a hand — she refused and simply stared at
me in utter disgust. I have heard similar stories from my colleagues and friends. Is this common? What action, if any, do readers recommend?

Thanks for the vent.

– ELIZABETH O’DOWD
Send your answers to wanderlust@salonmagazine.com. We’ll pass them along next week!

so you’re stuck between flights at Narita Airport: too few hours to train into Tokyo but too many to sit over a bowl of udon. What to do? The current Japan Airlines newsletter spotlights services that are tailor-made for road warriors on short layovers: The Refresh Room offers 10 shower rooms, five single day rooms with showers and a double room with a shower. You can take just a quick shower (about $6 for an hour) or combine a shower with a nap in one of the day rooms (single for about $18, double for about $27). There’s a four-hour time limit, though — so don’t try to stretch it into an overnight. The Refresh Room is on the third floor of Terminal 2′s main building. If you prefer some quiet tube time, install yourself in a “bodysonic” chair (wired for sound) in the nearby Audio-Video Room, where you can watch TV or videos for about $4 for two hours. And if you happen to be traveling en famille, Terminal 2′s satellite provides the Children’s Play Room, with toys, videos (including international versions of “Sesame Street”), books, stuffed animals and changing tables in a cheerful, child-friendly environment. It’s not a nursery and there are no baby sitters, but on the plus side, it’s free! All of these are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are for use by passengers only. For directions, ask any ground-service agent.