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 »

Limited-Time Free Signup for Membership Site That Lets You Find Big Hotel Savings (Airfare, Cars, and Cruises Too)

by Gary Leff

hotel dining
Dec 27 2018

Hotel chain Best Price Guarantees are for the most part Best Price Gimmicks, there are so many holes and exclusions that it serves to say that the chain has the best price without having to have the best price.

However you don’t earn points, stay credits, and you’re not supposed to receive elite recognition if you don’t “book direct.” Still if the price is good enough you can buy your won breakfast or even just book the room you’d like to stay in straight away, and still pocket a savings.

Continue Reading »

Be Careful What You Flush in the Lavatory: The Crazy Reason American Flight 20 Diverted on Christmas

by Gary Leff

lavatory
Dec 26 2018

American’s Boeing 777-300ERs have 12 lavatories. The line from one of those lavatories was clogged, and it’s a system connected to three other lavatories. That took four of the lavatories – or one third – out of commission.

Flight attendants determined that passengers congregating near the remaining lavatories was a security issue, and the aircraft was forced to divert.

Continue Reading »

Fantastic Fares: Australia From $639 Roundtrip From Several US Cities

by Gary Leff

syndeyhouse
Dec 26 2018

Qantas roundtrips between the US and Australia as pricing as low as $639 roundtrip out of several cities including Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

It’s a long way to go in coach but at these prices you’d expect to fly to Sydney, Canada rather than Sydney, Australia. Qantas ‘O’ fares earn 100% of flown miles when crediting to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, just 25% of flown miles crediting to American AAdvantage.

Continue Reading »

Cargo is the Airline Deregulation Everyone Agrees Worked

by Gary Leff

american plane
Dec 26 2018

Cargo can be as important – or more important – than passengers on many international flights. In fact there are flights operating largely because of the cargo revenue — which can be cheap to fly and even better for award space.

American Airlines shared some of the surprising cargo they flew over the holidays, as they’re on pace to earn $1 billion in cargo revenue for the year while carrying 1.82 billion pounds of goods including 22,000 pounds of chestnuts, 235,000 pounds of New Zealand lamb, 14,000 pounds of Argentinian beef, and a partridge in a pear tree.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines is Making a Big Mistake With its Boeing 767s

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Dec 26 2018

Early in the year American Airlines CEO Doug Parker described his airline’s Boeing 767-300s as a poor customer experience.

It’s certainly true that business class on the plane — while fully flat with direct aisle access — is uncompetitive. It’s a narrow, uncomfortable seat that feels like a coffin. The Thompson Vantage seat is one that many airlines have used for their 767s, but United is putting their Polaris seat in their 767s (which is marginally better) and Delta is putting suites with doors in their 767-400s. But it’s better than what American offers on many routes, and offers more space in coach period.

Continue Reading »

One Mile at a Time and Frequent Miler Miss the Point on Marriott v. Hilton

by Gary Leff

hotel pool
Dec 25 2018

With all of the problems that Marriott has had launching their new program and integrating 3 loyalty programs into one, many customers are frustrated. Starwood members in particular have been disappointed by the customer service standard over the phone with Marriott, and with the way many Marriott properties are implementing the benefits that have been promised. In short, Marriott has failed to deliver.

Two high profile blogs take issue with my argument that as much of a hash as Marriott has made at things, the grass isn’t greener at Hilton Honors. They’re wrong.

Continue Reading »