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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Up to 125,000 Bonus for oneworld Transatlantic Flights – All Fares Earn Something

Sep 22 2015

Both British Airways and American are offering up to 125,000 points for transatlantic travel on American Airlines, US Airways, British Airways, OpenSkies, Finnair and Iberia through January 31.. and this time all fares are eligible to earn something.

Here’s how to take advantage of the promotion, and to distinguish between the British AIrways and American versions.

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Get Free United Club Access AND 3 Confirmed United Upgrades If You Have Status With Another Airline

Sep 22 2015

A couple of weeks ago I wrote that Star Alliance member Copa, the Panama-based airline that used to use United’s MileagePlus as its frequent flyer program, is offering status matches.

Not only is that good for access to United Clubs when flying United domestically, when you’re matched to their Platinum level you get 3 confirmed upgrade certificates that will… soon be valid for use on United!

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Will United Really Pick Up An Extra $400 – $800 Million a Year from Chase Credit Cards?

credit cards
Sep 21 2015

Last week Chase and United announced an extension of their agreement so that Chase will continue to be the issuer of United co-brand credit cards.

United filed an 8-K form with the SEC related to this deal which gives us a clue about the increased revenue United will see as a result of the negotiation. Here’s what that number means — and doesn’t mean.

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What Actually Happened On That United Express Flight Where the Fight Broke Out Between Pilot and Co-Pilot

Sep 21 2015

Yesterday I wrote about a Saturday afternoon United Express flight which was delayed 5 hours because the pilot and co-pilot got into a fight. I didn’t know what the fight was over, but police were called and eventually passengers were flown to Houston by another crew. A blog reader who was a passenger on the flight emails to share some insight:

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Last Shot for American Elite Status Challenges, Sign Up Before Wednesday If Interested

american and us tails
Sep 21 2015

A couple of weeks ago I noted an expectation that the American Airlines elite status challenge in its current form would end September 23.

That is the offer you can pay to sign up for and fly a reduced amount within 3 months to qualify for elite status, and for which you do not need to show current status with another airline to be eligible.

The end of these challenges at least in their current form certainly seems to be the case.

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Major Airlines Have More Spare Planes Than You Think– and Don’t Really Need Them

Sep 20 2015

While I was pointed to a conversation on twitter about how silly it would be for airlines to keep spare aircraft (planes are expensive!) I thought it was actually interesting that: there are many times when major airlines do have what are effectively spare aircraft, especially at their hubs; keeping spares used to be an airline marketing tactic; and major airlines for the most part don’t need spare planes when they have spare (unsold) seats.

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