Gary Leff, Author at View from the Wing

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 »

Should You Fly First Class on a US Airline or Business Class on an Asian Carrier?

by Gary Leff on September 27, 2016

Sep 27 2016

Not all Asian carriers have the top business class products, but all of the truly best business class products are offered by Asian or Middle Eastern carriers. Take Singapore Airlines. With a four-across configuration like in first class, Singapore Airlines seats are incredible wide and they are also relatively private.

Increasingly US airlines are eliminating first class, with American slated to be the last carrier offering it and then only on their small fleet of Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. And US airlines don’t offer service or food that’s as good in first class as some of the better carriers offer in business. But I’ll still always take first class over business class.

With These Airlines You’ll Want to Eat Onboard — Not at a Restaurant

by Gary Leff on September 27, 2016

Sep 27 2016

t’s rarely the case that airlines will provide meals that will be better than what you can get on the ground. The prepacking in the flight kitchen, constrained spaces onboard, and altitude present real challenges. And food is hardly the primary driver of my choice of premium cabin airline (heh, award space usually is!).

But some airlines do a fantastic job despite the challenging conditions.

$50 Rebate on Hyatt Regency Stays for New and Existing Hyatt Visa Customers

by Gary Leff on September 27, 2016

Sep 27 2016

Hyatt’s 10% rebate on award redemptions for co-brand credit card holders runs through October 31.

They’ve got another offer for Hyatt Visa cardholders as well: a $50 statement credit for $500 in cumulative spend on the card at U.S. Hyatt Regency properties.

The Huge Downside to Signing Up for Global Entry, and How to Circumvent It

by Gary Leff on September 27, 2016

Sep 27 2016

Most US citizens want Global Entry because it includes PreCheck, for an extra $15 gets expedited immigration (of decreasing importance as immigration kiosks roll out), and it reimbursed by more premium credit cards than PreCheck. Frequent Canadian visitors should get Nexus, and it’s cheaper, but the waits and dual approvals may discourage.

Here’s the rub in all of this. Wait times. If you sign up for Global Entry now, you may not get it this year.