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 »

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One Airline Flight is at the Heart of US Problems With Iran

by Gary Leff

airplane taking off
Jan 03 2020

In the US we still think of Iran taking hostages after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Of course they overthrew the Shah, whose power had been consolidated with the help of the CIA (after the overthrow of Prime Minister Mossadegh). The US backed Iraq in the 8 year Iran-Iraq war, though in hindsight this didn’t go well, shortly after it ended Iraq under Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait – which had provided billions for his anti-Iran crusade.

Iran came to the table for peace, helping to end the war in a stalemate, shortly after the US shot down a civilian Iran Air flight in 1988. They may have believed that the US was openly joining Iraq’s fight and would stop at nothing.

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5 Strange Facts About The Airport McDonald’s That Doesn’t Serve Burgers, Re-heats Meals

by Gary Leff

united plane with ronald macdonald in it
Jan 03 2020

McDonald’s adapts to local conditions wherever they open. Whether it’s French-inspired items in French Polynesia, or delivery bikes in Asia. McDonald’s also has a long history, and makes a lot of sense at airports because of both the worldwide familiarity working well for travelers and the quick service model being great for a fast bite before and between flights.

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Gander Airport Wants To Make Its Mid-Century Modern International Departure Lounge a Tourist Attraction

by Gary Leff

Jan 03 2020

The airport’s 1959 international departure lounge, opened by the Queen of England, has sat idle for decades. The airport is a strategic diversion point, but planes fly long distances now without the stop. And the old departure lounge was closed off in the late 1970s.

It’s one of the most significant modernist facilities in Canada, visited by over 200 bus tours last year, but it’s served other purposes or no purpose for years.

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American Airlines is Being Sued for “Trafficking” the Havana Airport

by Gary Leff

capital building
Jan 02 2020

The plaintiff says his father owned the Havana airport when it was taken by the Cuban government during the 1959 revolution. He purchased what was then Rancho Boyeros Airport seven years earlier from Pan Am and made investments to “modernize[.] and improve[.] it by extending the runway and building a new terminal building.”

It was taken during the Cuban Revolution and he’s suing American Airlines (and LATAM) under the Helms-Burton Act.

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Free Top Tier Rental Car Status If You Have An(y) American Express Card

by Gary Leff

Jan 02 2020

National Car Rental will give their top tier elite status, Executive Elite, to new members who enroll with an(y) American Express card. Enrollment needs to be via this link by February 29, 2020.

Status is supposed to last through February 2021 but some reports suggest that it actually lasts through February 2022. And there’s a bonus free rental day offer, too.

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