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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The Best, Least Known Feature of American Airlines Upgrades that Can Save You on Your Next Trip

by Gary Leff

Jul 18 2015

If you upgrade with American using miles or confirmed systemwides, then you’re protected.

Via Traveling Better, if your flight is effected by weather, crew legality, mechanical issues, or even air traffic control — if your flight is delayed just two hours (and in fact, just one hour if you are an AAdvantage elite member or full fare passenger) then you can be protected on a joint venture partner or oneworld airline in the same upgraded class of service if their flight will get you to your destination faster than the next American flight with available inventory will.

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TSA Has Been Breaking the Law with Nude-o-Scopes for 7 Years. Is That About to Change?

by Gary Leff

Jul 18 2015

In light of revelations that the TSA fails to stop bombs and weapons going through the checkpoint 95% of the time, we can expect even more security theatre and less efficient screening.

We’ve subjected ourselves to the War on Water (and extortionate bottled water pricing from the newsstand-industrial complex), long waits, ID checks, pat downs, naked pictures of ourselves, and exposure to radiation. All to make us feel more safe.

And in the process the Federal Courts have found that TSA has blatantly flouted the law.

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Australia Wants to Accrue Miles for all Government Travel. Gee, No Country Has Tried That Before…

by Gary Leff

Jul 17 2015

US law used to prohibit federal employees from accumulating miles when traveling for work. The federal government found that this policy did not in fact save any money. And in December 2001 President Bush signed a law that allowed federal workers to accrue miles from their travel.

It’s very difficult for businesses and governments to make use of miles to offset the cost of business travel, especially under a regime where those miles are sitting in employee accounts.

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It’s (Usually) Ok to Use the Lavatory While the Seat Belt Sign is On

by Gary Leff

Jul 17 2015

To a 98% approximation, flight attendants don’t actually care if you use the lavatory while the seat belt sign is on. They have to tell you that the seat belt sign is on. They cannot tell you it is ok for you to use the lavatory.

I watch passengers, over and over, asking permission. The flight attendant cannot give you permission. Because what if something bad happened? That’s on them and the airline. But if they advise you that the seat belt sign is on and you go anyway it’s pretty much on you.

Comedy Central’s Key & Peele take on using the lavatory while the seat belt sign is on…

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