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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Yes, American Airlines Domestic First Class Meals are Really Bad

Apr 08 2017

American’s August 2015 meal service was an improvement, not up to pre-merger standards but a huge step forward after norming catering with US Airways in September 2014 (the ‘mystery meat’ which I later learned was supposed to be a short rib was genuinely disgusting).

The new meal service was supposed to last a year but that extended into the fall. The choices that were introduced — Julian Barsotti meals — in November were a real step down.

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Hyatt Awarding ‘Secret’ Free Nights as Part of New World of Hyatt Program

Apr 08 2017

Hyatt’s new program offers a free night: Category 1 – 4 after staying 30 nights during the year, Category 1 – 7 after staying 60 nights during the year.

Crucially, these free nights do not count towards elite status (so I hate using them!) and more importantly expire after 120 days. You don’t merely have to make a booking within that time. Your stay has to occur within 120 days of earning the night.

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