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 »

Delta Karen’s ‘Snitch Campaign’ Against Flight Attendants Backfires Spectacularly—Now She’s Facing Wrath From The Airline And The Internet

by Gary Leff

Nov 14 2024

A Delta Diamond Medallion frequent flyer took to social media to share her efforts reporting flight attendants who were seen using their personal phones midflight. She said that she had been receiving SkyMiles as a reward.

She would take photos of the flight attendants. Sharing one, she offered “This will be the third photo I’ve sent Delta in two weeks. Three out of four flights, FAs on their devices. This one is clever – hiding it behind the Delta device while headed toward take-off.”

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Entitled Power Play In First Class: American Airlines Flyer Swipes Outlet From Seat Behind Them

by Gary Leff

Nov 13 2024

Having to share power in coach has become more of a problem as passengers increasingly rely on their devices – either for inflight entertainment (because American Airlines flights lack screens) or to connect to the world (Delta’s free wifi).

But how about this passenger in first class who seems to need more than one outlet for themselves – and deprives the passenger behind them?

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Trapped In Delta Sky Club: 20-Minute Lines Just To Leave Atlanta Lounge

by Gary Leff

Nov 13 2024

Crowded lounges make airport lounges no longer enjoyable. If they aren’t an escape from the busy terminal, what’s the point? You can use the airline lounge for dedicated reservations agents when your flight delays, but otherwise give it a miss. And when there’s a long line to get in too, that’s even worse.

But the Delta Air Lines Sky Club in Atlanta on the T concourse took things to a new level with waits of up to 20 minutes to leave.

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Why Delta Passengers Are Bringing Their Own Starlink Onboard – But Finding It Can’t Beat Free WiFi

by Gary Leff

Nov 13 2024

Starlink has the fastest internet in the sky. It blows away Viasat and similar offerings that you’ll find on airlines like American and Delta. Bandwidth aside, their satellites are in lower orbit and the signal just has a shorter distance to travel. In my experience on board, it’s meant basically no latency. I can work in the air just like I do with a fiber connection on the ground.

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New Alaska Airlines Perks: Exclusive Espresso Martinis, Luxe Filson Blankets, And New Bath Amenities – A Soft Goods Transformation?

by Gary Leff

Nov 13 2024

Broadly speaking, Alaska Airlines offers the best soft product of any U.S. carrier on standard domestic flights (so, excluding premium cross-country routes). That wasn’t always true – but began with their acquisition of Virgin America which did a really nice job with food that was both delicious and attractively presented.

The airline has announced some new products starting this fall – from new drinks, to first class blankets, and toiletries for their lounges and lavatories.

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