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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Air India to Launch Round-the-World Service

Oct 10 2016

“Round the World” service is a huge badge of honor, Pan Am used to offer a single flight that made stops and crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

After United bought Pan Am’s Pacific routes, it operated round-the-world service as well. It was a source of pride, not profits. At one point United flew New York JFK – Los Angeles – Hong Kong – Delhi – London Heathrow – New York JFK. United flights 1 and 2 traveled in opposite directions.

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Stack Up to 40% Bonus on Purchased Hyatt Points With Rebate on Redemptions

hotel room
Oct 09 2016

Last year Hyatt Gold Passport offered a bonus on purchased concomitant with a rebate on redemptions — increasing the value of points you can buy.

It looks like they’re doing something similar again. There’s currently a 10% rebate on redeemed points for co-brand credit card holders through October 31. And they’re also offering a bonus on purchased points through October 25.

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Two Stackable Promotions on Top of Free Membership Giveaway From Club1 Hotels

Oct 09 2016

Club1 Hotels is a membership site, and that lets them sell rooms at a discount, offering lower rates to consumers instead of taking their booking commission. They report that they make money on membership fees rather than individual bookings. (Since they’re a membership site hotel best rate guarantees for direct booking on a hotel chain’s website don’t apply.)

Their membership normally costs $675 for a year, but they’re giving away one year memberships that provide access to discounts (but don’t come with a Priority Pass for airport lounge access) now. It’s worth signing up just to check out pricing. I’ve seen plenty of hotels where you can save hundreds of dollars through the site, though you may give up hotel loyalty points booking with them.

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Testing Out American’s Brand New Super Diamond Business Class on the Boeing 787-9

airline cabin first class
Oct 08 2016

American’s new business class seat is the B/E Aerospace Super Diamond going into their Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350, and later retrofits of Boeing 777-200s.

I had the opportunity to try out the new seat on American’s inaugural domestic run of its first Boeing 787-9, flying Dallas – Los Angeles. For the return flight I opted for premium economy (removing my upgrade request from the reservation just to be safe) so I could compare that other new product, a first in this aircraft, as well.

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