Gary Leff - View from the Wing

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

The X1 Credit Card: Game Changer?

by Gary Leff on September 19, 2020

Sep 19 2020

We don’t know enough about this product yet to have a real idea of its value – if you can actually generate a 4% return through spend and referrals that’s going to be really strong, but most people won’t be able to successfully refer someone every month.

Referrals aside then we’re talking about 2% back on the first $15,000 of spend each year. This card is only interesting for spend above $15,000 to get to 3% back. But you’re going to have to spend substantially more than $15,000 on the card before you’re really getting enough value to make the higher rate of return worthwhile.

A $2.5 Billion Airline Payroll Support Plan Makes More Sense Than What The Airlines Asked For

by Gary Leff on September 19, 2020

Sep 19 2020

Airlines have somehow connect the President, the Speaker of the House and myriad members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to sign onto the idea of a $25 billion ‘clean extension’ of CARES Act payroll support. That’s a second $25 billion injection of cash in exchange for not furloughing workers or eliminating service to most cities through March 31, 2021.

Except that the math here is truly insane. No one seems to be doing the math. So let’s talk about what a $2.5 billion package might look like instead.

Chase Has 8 Different 100,000 Point Initial Bonus Offers Right Now

by Gary Leff on September 19, 2020

Sep 19 2020

Chase was the most aggressive card issuer coming out of the Great Recession. They were the first to bring us a 100,000 point signup bonus, back in 2009. They’ve been aggressively introducing big offers for their card products again.

It’s striking to me that there are actually (8) different initial bonus offers of 100,000 points or more I’m aware of that Chase currently has available. That’s incredible.

Islamic State Takes Over Resort Islands In The Indian Ocean

by Gary Leff on September 19, 2020

Sep 19 2020

The Islamic State Central Africa Province hasn’t announced any plans for rebuilding of the resorts they’ve burned down, or a path re-opening to tourists during the pandemic.

Police Meet Flight After Passenger And Flight Attendant Can’t Agree On What A “Mask” Is

by Gary Leff on September 19, 2020

Sep 19 2020

A passenger and flight attendant on Spirit Airlines got into an argument over whether the passenger’s mask constituted a ‘mask’. The flight attendant offered the passenger a ‘real mask’- instead of an American flag gaiter – which they refused to wear. Police were contacted to meet the plane.

The most 2020 thing ever is a debate over what the word ‘mask’ means on a commercial aircraft.