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 »

How World of Hyatt Creates a Perverse Disincentive for Elites to Stay at Their Hotels

hotel lobby
Feb 03 2018

When confirmed suite upgrades were introduced they were awarded at the beginning of an elite year, expired after 12 months, but could be applied to future reservations after their expiration date as long as they were confirmed prior to expiration.

Then with the new CRM Hyatt implemented an unintended consequence was that suite upgrades expired 12 months after being awarded without the ability to apply them to future reservations.

Continue Reading »

Uber Limits How Much You Can Tip

phone with uber on it
Feb 03 2018

I didn’t used to tip Uber drivers in cash. Much of the value add of the platform was its seamlessness. Tap a button, there’s your ride get in get out. No messy transaction to deal with. I even have to remind myself to pay when taking a taxi.

In-app tipping is far better than cash, anyway, it’s more convenient for riders and you avoid the problem of scantily clad women stealing Uber driver tips.

Continue Reading »

Asiana’s Chairman Accused of Sexual Harassment For.. Forced Handshakes?

flight attendant pushing cart
Feb 02 2018

The Chairman of Star Alliance airline Asiana’s parent Kumho Asiana Group is being accused of sexual harassment as the ‘#metoo movement’ spreads to South Korea.

Park Sam-koo reportedly goes to the airline’s Seoul headquarters “on the first Thursday of every month to cheer on flight attendants.” He says he ‘receives energy’ by doing this.

Continue Reading »

Federal Court Says Banks Don’t Have to Honor Charge Back if You’ve Paid Off Your Balance

credit card wallet
Feb 02 2018

Dr. Malik Hasan paid $1 million for wine from Premier Cru Fine Wines in Berkeley, California. He charged the purchases to American Express and Chase credit cards. Premier Cru went out of business without shipping these purchases. Neither American Express nor Chase fully honored his charge back request, and he sued under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Continue Reading »