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 »

IATA Chief Calls for End to Unacceptable Electronics Ban

Mar 28 2017

International Air Transport Association CEO (and former CEO of Air France KLM) Alexandre de Juniac spoke today at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.

He spent some time on the laptop ban levied against 10 airports, 9 airlines, and 8 countries for flights to the U.S. calling the measures “not an acceptable long-term solution” and “difficult to understand their effectiveness” in the short term.

Continue Reading »

What Cathay Pacific’s Death By 1000 Cuts Could Teach US Airlines

Mar 28 2017

An opinion piece in the South China Morning Post suggests that Cathay Pacific’s ownership dump the airline “while it still holds valuable assets like landing slots, a decent cargo business and maintenance facilities.”

They’re eroding their brand with cuts, and as a result mitigating their ability to compete in the premium sector and unable to fully compete in the low cost sector.

Continue Reading »

American Airlines Will Now Sell You a Premium Economy Seat on (Some) International Flights

airline seat
Mar 27 2017

American Airlines is the first US airline with a premium economy cabin. Delta plans to offer premium economy in the 3rd quarter onboard their Airbus A350 aircraft which will mostly fly to Asia. United hasn’t made a formal commitment to premium economy yet.

As of yesterday, premium economy is now for sale as a separate cabin (as it was intended to become) for travel starting May 4. Here’s everything you need to know.

Continue Reading »

Tipping Your Uber Driver is Illegal in 13 States

Mar 27 2017

Lyft embeds a tipping function in its app, while Uber does not. However Uber no longer advertises that tips are ‘included’ and allows drivers to solicit for tips. I’m not going to add the stress of cash, proper change, and the awkward friction at the end of a ride. Others take a different view.

I don’t like tipping but there’s no reason why it ought to be illegal — except to varying degrees it is in 13 states including Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia!

Continue Reading »