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 »

New Jersey Senator’s Criminal Trial Hinges On How He Earned and Burned Amex Points

Sep 12 2017

Neither the Senator nor the donor are being prosecuted for redeeming American Express Membership Rewards at such a low value getting just 3 nights at the Park Hyatt Vendome for 650,000 points.
That’s a crime.

But now that we’re in the midst of Senator Menendez’s trial we’re learning the gory details of his mileage malfeasance.

Continue Reading »

WINNER: 2 Free Park Hyatt Nights With Breakfast

Sep 11 2017

The Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires is a great city hotel, set in an upscale neighbor apart from the hustle and bustle of the city and just a few blocks from the Four Seasons. There are two separate buildings, connected via underground walkway or outside through the garden. There’s the original Palacio and there’s a new tower. I’ve really enjoyed staying there.

Continue Reading »

Strange Developing Story: Airline Not Allowed to Rescue 95 People From Turks & Caicos

Sep 11 2017

An Air Canada charted flight arrived in Turks and Caicos yesterday with 95 electricians “s part of a humanitarian aid mission” to rebuild the electrical grid on the islands after Hurricane Irma hit while a category 5 storm.

The plane was scheduled to depart from Providenciales International Airport with 95 Canadians onboard, bringing them back to Canada after their having been stranded on the island. But local officials wouldn’t allow them to leave.

Continue Reading »

Marriott Had 200+ Empty Spots on a Boat But Refused to Help Non-Guests Escape Hurricane

Sep 11 2017

Marriott had a boat evacuate guests from the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort on St. Thomas after Irma had passed and in advance of Hurricane Jose.

They reportedly had room for a couple hundred people beyond their own guests on the 600 person boat, but refused transport to 30 or more people looking for help off the island..

Continue Reading »

What Air Travel is Like for Most People (It’s Worse Than You Think)

Sep 10 2017

I often write that with all of the difficulties I have in navigating airlines — getting tickets issued properly, correcting agent mistakes — it amazes me that the median traveler is able to manage to get from A to B.

Airlines make things far more complicated and confusing than you’d expect, someone less familiar with the ins and outs of travel is at the mercy of big bureaucracy hardly aimed to solving problems let alone doing so quickly.

Continue Reading »