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 »

HOT FARE: West Coast to Europe for $439 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

Aug 13 2016

Star Alliance carriers United, Air Canada, and Austrian Airlines have a $439 roundtrip fare between San Francisco and Vienna for October departures. You’ll fly from San Francisco to a United or Air Canada hub where you’ll connect to an Austrian Airlines flight.

Vienna is great in its own right. If you don’t fancy Vienna, it’s still a good opportunity because the two European capitals closest to each other are Vienna and Bratislava (Slovakia). Bratislava is a major hub for European low cost flights, and is often sold ‘as’ Vienna by those airlines. So head to Vienna and take off from there as well. It’s a great fare for fall travel!

Continue Reading »

United Gets Contract With Mechanics Too! Ready to Complete 2010 Merger and Move Forward

by Gary Leff

Aug 12 2016

Earlier today we got news that United’s flight attendants had ratified a contract. It was a close vote — 90% of flight attendants cast ballots and only 53% of those voted in favor. But it lets the airline move forward combining the legacy United and legacy Continental flight attendant groups as one.

As I wrote at the time, United will finally be one airline in the sky. From a customer-facing standpoint that will complete the merger.

But the airline’s work isn’t done, even with that. United has been working for years on a contract with mechanics.

Continue Reading »

United Will Finally Be One Airline in the Sky

by Gary Leff

Aug 12 2016

United’s flight attendants have voted 53% in favor of a new joint contract.

United and Continental merged in 2010, with Continental management eventually taking over, but six years later that merger is still not complete.

United still needs to get its mechanics contract done, but the flight attendant deal is a big step. They’ll be one airline going forward now — at least once they’re in the sky.

Continue Reading »

AIRFARE DEAL: Southeast Asia from Major US Cities from $426 Roundtrip

by Gary Leff

Aug 12 2016

Japanese Star Alliance airline ANA has Phnom Penh, Cambodia starting at $426 from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

This is a $145 fare each way plus tax, available August 15 through December 9, or January 1 through May 23 for outbound travel. Your transpacific flight needs to be Monday through Thursday in each direction. There’s a $300 change fee.

Continue Reading »