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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This Internal “Tell Me Why” Podcast Taught Me Two Things About American Airlines

back airplane tv
Feb 04 2018

American’s new ‘Tell Me Why’ podcast is live with its third episode. While it’s geared towards employees and posted to their internet Jetnet system it’s also available on iTunes.

For the third episode Vice President of Communications Ron DeFeo interviews Kurt Stache, American’s head of marketing who used to run AAdvantage, about the airline’s inflight product and mostly inflight entertainment.

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Incredible First Class Award Availability To/From Asia for Cheap

flight chart
Feb 04 2018

ANA first class availability, booked far in advance, is outstanding right now. And it’s accessible using miles from a variety of programs — in the Star Alliance and through other airline partnerships as well. They offer one of the best and most consistent first class products in the world. It’s not as flashy as Emirates or Etihad, but the service and food are fantastic.

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Spontaneous Circle of Women Calm Hysterical Mother and Son at LAX

people walking through terminal
Feb 04 2018

Beth Bornstein Dunnington was flying from Los Angeles to Portland on Friday. Waiting for her flight at LAX, a toddler was melting down at a nearby gate.

The boy’s pregnant mother melted down, too. She “couldn’t pick him up because he was so upset” as the boy ran away from her, laid down on the floor of the terminal, kicked and screamed. She “put her head in her hands” as she sat down on the floor too. She cried.

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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.

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