Weekend roundup from around the web

I like to periodically clear out my RSS reader and pass along stories that might be of interest to my readers. Here are today's stories:

• US Bank's coding of Kiva loans as "charity" is a long-standing and lucrative technique that gives rise to a lot of strong opinions about the actual good, if any, done by Kiva's local lending partners. A new report out of Bangladesh suggests, among other things, that "Microfinance, especially female credit, reduces poverty;"
• Alaska continues its long twilight struggle against Delta with double elite-qualifying miles on flights between Seattle and Detroit and between Salt Lake City and several destinations (registration required for both);
• Grant activates his Staples gift cards without waiting for the activation codes (my activation codes invariably arrive the same day as my cards);
• Frequent Flyer Bonuses wants you to register for the right IHG promo code for you (I presume, as always, I'll choose zero points for zero nights);
• Gary wants you to switch to Lufthansa Business for just $90 CAD, without paying either fuel surcharges or United's extortionate partner redemption rates;
• The Points Guy wants you to use Avios.com to transfer points between BA and Iberia (you have to first "initialize" your Iberia account, which I'm trying to decide how to do).

A joyous and meaningful Memorial Day to all my readers.