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 »

More articles by Gary Leff »

Hawaii Begins To Lift Restrictions – But Only For Their Own Residents

by Gary Leff

hawaii
Jun 02 2020

Hawaii is set to re-open some travel – but only for its own residents and not other U.S. citizens.

During the coronavirus crisis Hawaii has kicked people off the island who couldn’t possibly have brought the virus there and still be spreading it. They use the virus as an excuse to push out Airbnb rentals which compete with local hotel owners as well as trying to keep tourists segregated in resort areas. They’ve considered requiring anyone coming to the islands have a ticket to leave.

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Hawaii Uses Coronavirus As Excuse To Attack Airbnb and Protect Hotels

by Gary Leff

hawaii
Jun 01 2020

Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis Hawaii has mixed a legitimate desire to keep cases out of the islands and prevent spread with a fear and even hatred of outsiders.

Now there’s a move to keep tourists segregated in resort areas and keep them out of Hawaiian neighborhoods that want to keep those neighborhoods only for locals. This is also protectionism for hotel owners.

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Southwest Lays Out Really Generous Offers For Employees To Take Leave Or Retire Early

by Gary Leff

Jun 01 2020

Last week word broke that American was targeting letting go 30% of management and support staff. They were being offered voluntary departure packages, at 3 to 6 months at one-third pay. Hanging around and being terminated later wouldn’t be as good a deal. United meanwhile changed its internal rules so that laid off employees receive no severance.

Southwest Airlines, by contrast, is being really generous with its employees.

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One Country Will Cover All Your Costs If You Get The ‘Rona On Vacation

by Gary Leff

Jun 01 2020

You might actually catch the virus while you’re traveling. And if you do you’re faced with an unexpected situation. You’re going to need to quarantine. That may mean a couple of extra weeks on the ground with lodging and meals, and changes to your onward or return flights. You may need additional medical care.

If you travel to Cyprus and catch COVID-19, Cyprus will cover all of your expenses. That should make it easier to visit with confidence. But isn’t this just an invitation for anyone with the virus to travel to Cyprus and have all their expenses covered..?

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