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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Here’s What United’s New Polaris Seat and Service is Really Like

by Gary Leff

first class seats
Feb 14 2017

Yesterday I took a media flight from Chicago to San Francisco on United’s brand new Boeing 777-300ER, the first plane to actually offer the airline’s new Polaris business class seats.

Since December 1 United has offered their new soft product – meals, bedding, etc. – but no flight has had the new seats. This confuses many customers who see Polaris on their reservations and expect fully flat direct aisle access seating. That is coming, the first plane will fly its domestic inaugural this week before going into international service initially on San Francisco – Hong Kong.

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FARE ALERT: West Coast to Several European Cities in Business Class $2000 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

aviancaplane
Feb 13 2017

Back in December I wrote about an amazing fare on United partner and Star Alliance member Avianca offer Los Angeles to Madrid, Barcelona, and London for about $2000 in business class. Those fares are still available and they’re incredibly flexible.

Avianca’s 787 business class is fully flat reverse herringbone seats with direct aisle access – a very good hard product.

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LUCRATIVE: Earn American Miles Based on Distance Instead of Price Plus 15,000 Bonus Miles

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Feb 12 2017

American’s AAVacations is offering 15,000 bonus miles for booking an air and hotel package (minimum 3 night stay) by February 22 for travel through November 20.

American awards miles as a percentage of distance flown instead of based on fare on AAVacations tickets, and they often sell business class tickets at a discount this way as well.

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