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 »

20% Discount On Marriott Gift Cards and 60% Bonus Buying Points (Lowest Price Ever)

by Gary Leff

May 11 2020

First is an offer of gift cards at a discount. Gift cards usually sell to merchants for less than face value, and you can often buy them at a discount on the secondary market, but when you can buy them directly from a brand you have less to worry about in terms of fraud or technical glitches.

Second Marriott is offering points with the biggest bonus we’ve seen – you are prepaying for stays, effectively, at a discount here as well. And while gift cards can’t be used at Marriott’s homesharing service they’re offering a discount on those bookings as well, for two days only.

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Will Masks Be The Next Thing People Get In Onboard Fights Over, With Flights Diverting?

by Gary Leff

May 11 2020

Right now people are fighting on board over lack of social distancing, although sometimes they’re just freaking out on social media about it.

People are getting pretty political over mask wearing and nearly every U.S. airline will begin requiring them. If folks want to boycott Costco, imagine once they are on board trapped inside a metal tube…?

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MileagePlus Triples Price Of Some Merchandise Rewards That Were Terrible Value To Begin With

by Gary Leff

May 11 2020

Redeeming airline miles or hotel points for retail products is almost never going to be a good deal. The loyalty program has to actually buy the item, perhaps they’re getting a modest deal compared to street prices but there’s usually a third party managing the process for them too that takes a cut. There’s not going to be any leverage redeeming miles this way.

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Avianca Declares Bankruptcy. What Happens To LifeMiles?

by Gary Leff

May 10 2020

Two and a half weeks ago I warned that Avianca seemed likely to file for bankruptcy. Now it has filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

United Airlines, which knew the situation well, had already written down $700 million worth of debt down to $3 million. The Colombia-based carrier already ceased commercial flying two months ago and furloughed most employees. It is winding down its operation in Peru.

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I’d Gladly Eat At This Restaurant During The Global Pandemic

by Gary Leff

May 10 2020

Restaurants in Texas were permitted to re-open under new strict guidelines just over a week ago. Indoor spaces are limited to 25% of their previous capacity. Menus are single use only. Condiments cannot be left on the table, but provided only on request. Flatware cannot be pre-placed on tables either and instead must be given to each guest after being seated.

Still, I haven’t dined in at any restaurants yet. There’s one restaurant, however, with a concept that makes me feel safe.

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Airline Lobbyists Changed Bailout Language To Create Loophole That Let Them Reduce Employee Pay

by Gary Leff

May 09 2020

Despite taking CARES Act payroll protection subsidies from the federal government, airlines including Delta, United, and JetBlue have cut worker hours. This means that employees receive less pay, and airlines spend less on payroll, despite requirements not to furlough workers or reduce rates of pay through September 30.

American Airlines CEO Doug Parker said “I was there when we were working on CARES and that wasn’t the intent or meaning of it.” Parker is right, that wasn’t how the CARES Act was supposed to work. The original language – that got changed – has now been leaked.

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The Administration Wants the CDC To Do Temperature Checks At Airports. The CDC Said No.

by Gary Leff

May 09 2020

The executive branch wants to give the CDC a mission: checking temperatures of airline passengers at 20 airports. The CDC, though, declined saying it wasn’t likely to be effective (due to asymptomatic spread) and it may not be legal. They responded to the Department of Homeland Security “Please kindly strike out CDC from this role.”

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