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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New Era: American Gives Out $250,000 Denied Boarding Compensation on a Single Flight?

by Gary Leff

Jan 04 2018

In the aftermath of the David Dao dragging incident in April, several airlines revamped their policies around paying denied boarding compensation. In September Delta paid out $4000 in travel credit to a woman flying to South Bend, Indiana for a Georgia Bulldogs – Notre Dame game. She still made it in the night before the game.

On December 19th American Airlines flight AA150 from Chicago O’Hare to Paris went mechanical just prior to boarding. Instead of cancelling or delaying the flight to the next day, they swapped out the planned Boeing 787-9 with 285 seats for a Boeing 787-8 which has just 226 seats.

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Meltdown: Passenger Punches Ceiling, Takes Off Shirt

by Gary Leff

Jan 04 2018

A drunk man went on a tirade on a jetBlue flight departing Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Before things really heat up you see passengers walking in the aisle, dealing with luggage in the overhead bin, and hear the flight attendant call button pressed repeatedly. A flight attendant announces that “if you continue to press the call button, you’re gonna be staying here in Santo Domingo. If yo continue to press it playing games you will be staying here in Santo Domingo.”

That’s when the passenger loses it.

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Delta Sued for Anti-Semitic Discrimination

by Gary Leff

delta plane
Jan 03 2018

Delta Airlines is being sued for discrimination against Jewish employees and nonrev passengers flying to Israel.

Flight attendants claim to have been fired, denied advancement, or suspended because of their Jewish faith or over friendships with Jews. Delta vigorously denies the claim. It’s not the first time Delta has been accused of anti-semitism.

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Southwest Flips on Big 3 Airlines in Price Fixing Case

by Gary Leff

united
Jan 03 2018

Two and a half years ago the Department of Justice announced that they were investigating the US airlines for unlawful collusion to limit capacity and increase airfares.

It struck me as bizarre to investigate airlines for collusion over pricing while prices were falling. And odder still for the government to sign off on mergers and anti-trust immunized joint ventures and find themselves ‘shocked’ that there’s less competition.

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Singapore Airlines Introducing Credit Card Surcharges on Basic Economy Fares

by Gary Leff

Jan 03 2018

Last month Singapore Airlines announced new fare types going into effect January 20.

‘Economy lite’ fares — Singapore’s Basic Economy fare buckets Q, N, V, and K — aren’t just going to mean paid advance seat selection. While this wasn’t announced at the time, Singapore will also be imposing a 1.3% credit card surcharge to Economy Lite reservations originating in Singapore.

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RUMOR: Cathay Pacific Cancels Dine on Demand in Business Class, Introducing Buy On Board in Coach

by Gary Leff

Jan 03 2018

Cathay Pacific is reportedly cancelling its planned roll out of ‘dine on demand’ in business class and introducing ‘buy on board’ meals on some shorter economy flights in place of complimentary food.

Flight crew hated having to offer dine on demand, and charging for food in economy means big cost savings boarding far fewer meals on flights like Hong Kong – Manila and overnight flights to North Asia.

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