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 »

Airlines are Killing Frequent Flyer Programs, but Long Term Technology Will Do It For Them

by Gary Leff

Jan 07 2016

Back in 2008 and 2009 banks were buying miles super cheap. Now with airlines in a stronger position financially, with fewer airlines to do deals with and banks in a healthier position to compete for those deals, the price of miles has swung up closer to two cents than one.

Meanwhile airlines haven’t needed to spend as much on marketing to fill planes. They’ve been able to devalue their frequent flyer programs. Miles are costing the banks more. Those miles are worth less. Frequent flyer programs may find themselves killing their multibillion dollar goose in the medium-term, though it’s likely on a long-term decline no matter what they do.

Continue Reading »

Very Cool, But Is This Really the World’s Most Terrifying Bed & Breakfast?

by Gary Leff

Jan 06 2016

I visit the Maldives each year, because I really value the seclusion. The distance to travel, and even the need for a domestic flight and boat ride to reach the Park Hyatt after arriving in the country, create a sense of separation from the world for me. I need that to relax.

There is, however, seclusion much closer to home (although a boat out to reach it will cost as much as domestic Maldivian transfers). But is it the world’s scariest?

Continue Reading »

Marine Brings Ammunition Through Checkpoint at LAX, TSA Doesn’t Notice

by Gary Leff

bullets in a plastic bag
Jan 05 2016

An active duty marine flew Los Angeles to Taipei and was connecting on China Airlines flight CI120 to Okinawa when he was found with 40 rounds of ammunition while going through transit security. The marine explained that he had ‘forgotten to take them out’ of his bag, but he wasn’t carrying a gun to use them with in any case.

The bullets were immediately visible to screeners in Taipei using a standard x-ray machine. To screeners at LAX, not so much. They’re too busy manipulating advanced imaging machines so they could fondle attractive passengers.

Continue Reading »

Malaysia Airlines Refuses to Transport Checked Bags on Europe Flights, Already Partly Rolls Back Policy

by Gary Leff

Jan 05 2016

oneworld member Malaysia Airlines had posted a notice that they weren’t going to accept checked bags on European flights due to unusual headwinds.

It’s hard to imagine taking a European flight with only carry ons, let alone with an economy allowance of ~ 15 pounds. And it’s unclear what it means for checked baggage to “only arrive later” (perhaps in a few days when the headwinds die down?).

The temporary change, though, is also related to how Malaysia Airlines is responding to the 2014 shooting down of one of their jets.

Continue Reading »

Will This Be One of the Biggest Stories of the Year: The End of Europe’s Passport-Free Travel?

by Gary Leff

Jan 04 2016

The free movement of people and goods is a fundamental idea of the European Union, and one that’s driven tremendous economic benefit to the region (not to mention the individual benefit from unburdening travel). It’s embodied in the Schengen Agreement and in other agreements.

When you enter a European country you go through passport control. If you connect at an airport to elsewhere in Europe you’re generally taking what amounts to a domestic flight. Travel within Europe, for the 400 million people inside the Schengen Area, is like travel inside the U.S.

Sweden has now imposed border controls with Denmark and Denmark with Germany.

Continue Reading »