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 »

Dallas Finds Itself Between Scylla and Charybdis: No Matter What Happens With Love Field Gates They’ll Be Sued

by Gary Leff on June 19, 2015

Jun 19 2015

Delta’s lease for gates at Dallas Love Field expires July 6 but they continue to sell tickets after that. Southwest is growing its schedule assuming use of the gates. The federal government says Delta has to be accommodated because it already serves the airport. No matter what the airport does, it gets sued. Now they’re suing to stop the suits.

And even American now says that if DOT claims everyone needs to be accommodated they want gates too even though they pushed for a law that prevents the airport from increasing the number of gates there.

You Can Use Frequent Flyer Miles to Pay Off Student Debt. Here’s What’s Wrong With the Idea.

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

You can now use points to pay down student debt. But if you do it, and accept the low value redemptions offered, are you really learning the right financial lessons?

Singapore Airlines Wants a New Longer Range Aircraft to Overcome Disadvantages in the US Market

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

Singapore flew non-stop Newark – Singapore as the longest flight in the world onboard an Airbus A340-500. They also flew Los Angeles – Singapore non-stop, and Thai Airways flew New York JFK – Bangkok using that plane type.

The Singapore Airlines ultra-long haul flights were originally operated in two cabin configuration, and changed to all business class service. The goal was selling fewer seats at a significant premium. The economics didn’t work.

The A340-500 was more or less a flying gas can. And carrying so much fuel for such a long distance means carrying more fuel to handle the weight of that fuel. As the price of avgas rose, operating costs of the plane became worse and worse. Eventually all three of those flights came to and end.

“Why Send a Phishing Email Posing as United Airlines?” Said No Hacker Ever.

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

Data breaches and account security are a pretty big deal these days. Is this the best way for United to be promoting that?

American Increases the Price of Extra Availability Awards Around the Holidays. Here’s How Those Awards Work.

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

I spoke with American on Wednesday morning about an upcoming very modest tweak to their award chart, that actually moves them further in the direction of matching award pricing with ticket cost and tells us some things about how members use the program.

Conrad Hilton: No Jail for Assaulting Crew, Smoking Pot in Lavatory on London-LA Flight

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

Just a few months ago young Conrad Hilton went berserk on a London – Los Angeles flight threatening to fight and ‘own’ the ‘peasants’ on the plane. And he smoked pot in the lavatory. The sentence is in: he gets away with it.

Buy Miles for 7/10ths of a Cent Through Tomorrow, Up to 20,000 Miles for Economist Subscription, and Delta Giving Up On Haneda

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

A collection of the most interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.

Man’s Life Savings Confiscated at the Airport Because His Bag Smelled of Pot — And He’s Not Alone.

by Gary Leff on June 18, 2015

Jun 18 2015

Charles Clarke had his life savings confiscated at the Cincinnati airport because his bag smelled like pot and he was flying on a one-way ticket. He was never convicted, but it’s a long shot he’ll ever get his money back.

Here’s what you need to know so that this doesn’t happen to you.

5000 Points Per Hilton Stay Through July 6 at All Properties Worldwide

by Gary Leff on June 17, 2015

Jun 17 2015

Hilton is offering a 5000 point per stay bonus at all of their hotels worldwide (nothing excluded) that stacks on top of their current double points promotion. Definitely worth registering, even though it’s only available for about three weeks.

The Updated Ultimate Guide to Booking Award Tickets Using American Miles

by Gary Leff on June 17, 2015

Jun 17 2015

American Airlines AAdvantage has one of the least expensive award charts for premium cabin travel to many regions, and they only add significant fuel surcharges to one of their airline partners. But their routing rules, the way you’re allowed to construct an award, are complex and they don’t even publish them at AA.com.

Not only are they published here, but they’re explained. This is an advanced post worth bookmarking if you collect American miles.

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]

About Gary Leff

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About Gary Leff