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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Wide Open Lufthansa First Class Awards, Book Now

lufthands headquarters
May 08 2018

Earlier today I wrote about Lufthansa first class awards being available Chicago – Frankfurt. That’s rare because Lufthansa usually only allows partner frequent flyer programs to book Lufthansa first class within two weeks of travel.

And now in fact we’re seeing it on myriad routes between the US and Germany. I don’t know if this will last, I’d book right away if you are interested and you can.

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3 Black Women Detained By Police for Checking Out of Airbnb With Luggage

police car out side neighborhood
May 08 2018

We see people checking out of a hotel and that’s normal. We need to get more used to people checking out of homes in our neighborhoods. Because that means getting used to more types of people, more people who ‘look different’, and that happens by making it more commonplace.

It’s a reminder that anti-Airbnb ordinances are often cover for deplorable motives. And hotels spending money on front groups to lobby against Airbnb should be ashamed of themselves too.

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American Testing New Food, Serving Pasta and Sliders in Admirals Clubs

food
May 07 2018

American Airlines Admirals Club have had a hit with their made to order guacamole in the afternoons.
Unfortunately it’s not available at my home airport in Austin but I’ve sampled it all around the system. Here it is in Dallas prior to the renovation of the ‘A’ Club there.

They’ve also rolled out made to order avocado toast in several lounges. Someone must have made a bit bet on avocado futures.

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Passengers Held For Hours After Truck Hit Taxiing Southwest Plane After Midnight

airplane hit by taxi truck
May 07 2018

Southwest Airlines flight WN6263 from Fort Lauderdale to Baltimore last night was struck by a pickup truck as it taxied to the gate. No one – onboard the aircraft or in the truck – was injured.

However it was after midnight, and passengers had to wait a long period of time before they were permitted to deplane — and then they were reportedly held in the gate area once they did.

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