Gary Leff, Author at 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 »

How The King Of Thailand Is Self-Quarantining (He Isn’t Even In Thailand)

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Starwood's Business Card is Better than the Personal American Express Card

Mar 28 2020

Thailand was the first country outside of China with a confirmed COVID-19 patient. It’s generally considered to have done well containing the virus, currently reporting just 1245 total cases, though I’m skeptical of testing and reporting at least outside of Bangkok.

The King of Thailand also must be skeptical, because he’s quarantined himself in Germany where there are over 56,000 cases. King Maha Vajiralongkorn has rented out the entire Grand Hotel Sonnenbichl to isolate himself “with his harem of 20 women and his servants.”

American Airlines Makes Basic Economy Better: Paid Seat Assignments At Booking

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

I do not see any real reason to stay way from Basic Economy fares at this point, unless the buy up to regular economy is very small. It largely is a buy up for the possibility of an upgrade and more credit towards re-earning elite status, which has been less likely and less valuable in recent years. And that means, effectively, the end of basic economy as a pricing strategy.

Rhode Island Will Hunt Down New Yorkers House-To-House To Fight Coronavirus

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

Rhode Island doesn’t want any loopholes in their new ban on New Yorkers seeking refuge in the state. The U.S. now has over 112,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, nearly 40% more than China has reported. And half of all U.S. cases are in New York and New Jersey.

Police in Rhode Island are now stopping cars with New York license plates and the state’s National Guard is conducting house-to-house searches to find New Yorkers and impose a 14 day quarantine. According to the Governor of the state, their “risk is called New York City.”

$13 Cross Country Airfares! But Why Are Airlines Pricing Below Marginal Cost?

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

Airlines are pricing cross country flights as low as $12.89. All but $2.79 of that is taxes. That’s much lower than the marginal cost to the airline for transporting an additional customer. Why would they intentionally sell tickets tickets for such low prices?

An Interesting Investment Play For People Who Take Cruises

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

If you cruise, and will cruise again, cruise line shares are cheap – and shareholders get folio credit when they take trips. A reader passes along that at current prices they get an effective 6% dividend annual when they take a 7 night cruise.

Hilton Offers 90 Days Of Free Gold Status, Fast Track To Keep Gold Or Diamond

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

Hilton has offered status matches and fast tracks to elite for years. They’ve just extended their latest offer. Hilton will give you 90 days of Gold status which largely means free breakfast or lounge access and avoiding the bad rooms at the hotel.

Airport Will Convert To Makeshift Morgue In Preparation For Coronavirus

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

A part of Birmingham airport in the U.K. is being converted to a makeshift morgue to initially hold 1500 bodies but with plans to covert to 12,000 as the need arises. Existing storage capacity is expected to be overwhelmed, and staff transferred to the airport facility to handle the volume.

This Is What Happens When A Travel Brand Can’t Get Out Of Their Ad Budget

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

Between March 11 – 22 Hotels.com “spent nearly $3 million on TV ads, with the majority on reality TV and movies.” You don’t have to be Captain Obvious to realize that’s a lower-return investment than a drive through strip club or bottled watered for pets.

How Restaurant Dining Will Change After The Pandemic

by Gary Leff on March 27, 2020

Mar 27 2020

China has seen our future, both in terms of economic collapse and how social relations change after what people are experiencing. Food delivery in the U.S. took a queue from China offering ‘leave food at the door’ as an option to ensure social distancing between driver and consumer.

Now that businesses in China are re-opening, we have a glimpse into how they’re protecting their employees, and how they’re changing the products that they offer to appeal to consumers.

What Lockdown Is Like In Other Countries Right Now

by Gary Leff on March 27, 2020

Mar 27 2020

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

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About Gary Leff

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About Gary Leff