Petfinder.com, a Web site specializing in pet adoptions, recently listed the top five airlines for your traveling pet. Coming in at number one was Continental with the airline’s PetSafe program, which not only offers a 24-hour Live Animal Phone Desk, but also offers a cargo area that is climate-controlled, allows roomy carriers and has a designated cargo staff. And as Petfinder points out, “travelers using PetSafe can even earn miles.” Continental OnePass members can earn one mile for every dollar spent (including tax, fuel and security surcharges) when transporting a pet using Continental’s PetSafe service. In-cabin pets and service animals do not qualify to earn miles. The cost to transport a pet as cargo varies by pet and carrier weight.

The other airlines making the top five were United (#5), American (#4), AirTran Airways (#3; noted for being the cheapest way to fly your pet in-cabin at $69 each way) and JetBlue (#2). JetBlue has the JetPaws program where the airline provides a pet carrier bag tag, two TrueBlue points each way, a welcome email and a free pet travel guide.