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 »

Unbundling Spreads to Business Class: Pay for Premium Seat Assignments

by Gary Leff

Feb 24 2017

Years ago all economy passengers were equal in assigning seats, although when I first became a frequent flyer United would block the seat next to me as an elite so that if it was possible to have an empty seat next to me I would.

And then they introduced economy plus seating, extra legroom seats that elites could reserve free (and at the time it was also available to full fare customers and to Star Alliance Gold members too). United didn’t initially monetize those seats.

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Have Systemwide Upgrades Expiring in a Few Days? Call American and Ask to Extend Them

by Gary Leff

Feb 24 2017

As in past years, as February 28 approaches there are plenty of Executive Platinum members with systemwide upgrades that are expiring unused.

That’s a shame, and we used to see many of them burned on silly domestic flights like a New York – Washington National regional jet or Dallas – Austin. Of course even that’s rarely even possible anymore now that American doesn’t open up much confirmed upgrade space.

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Emirates Introducing New A380 Business Class Bar With Cafe Tables and Surround Sound

by Gary Leff

Feb 23 2017

Emirates is known for its blingy cabins, from first class suites with gold-colored accents to the incredibly shower spa with heated floors at the front of the first cabin to a bar (that isn’t quite as nice as the Qatar A380 bar) at the back of business class.

Emirates is simultaneously advancing its image with new products while cutting costs.

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FARE SALE: Transatlantic Fares $65 Each Way From 3 US Cities on Several New Routes

by Gary Leff

plane on runway
Feb 23 2017

I remember as a kid watching Saturday Night Live and their 1986 commercial for the the Adobe, a Mexican import that’s first car to break the $200 barrier. It was made of clay.

Well, the major airlines have been running $400-ish off-season roundtrip fares between the US and Europe. And Wow Air will run some days to Reykjavik for $99 one-way (with the flight back to the US a bit higher).

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