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 »

May 28: Southwest Airlines Ends ‘Bags Fly Free’—After Gutting Frequent Flyer Miles—An Unprecedented Identity Crisis

Mar 11 2025

Southwest Airlines has announced the end of Bags Fly Free, the primary benefit separating it from competitors – and idea they have consistently rejected.

Together with cutting points-earning by two-thirds on the fares most customers buy, Southwest now says they will offer basic economy fares – something they said they would never do.

Continue Reading »

AOC And Luna’s Credit Card Cap Would Crush Rewards Cards—Gutting Airline Miles And Making Flights More Expensive

Mar 10 2025

AOC and Anna Paulina Luna have teamed up to take credit away from poor people. They’ve introduced legislation that would cap credit card interest rates at 10%, below the level they’ve ever been. That might allow card financing to remain in place for customers who are near-certain credit risk. It means extending credit to borrowers less able and certain to pay back would not be viable.

Continue Reading »

They Even Took The Bathroom Books: Passengers Are Stealing Everything Not Bolted Down In Airport Lounges

Mar 09 2025

Travelers are stealing everything from airport lounges that isn’t bolted down. That surprises me, because there’s nowhere with more cameras watching you than inside an airport. There’s nowhere with more law enforcement agencies (DEA, CBP, FBI, TSA, local police to name a few). And every passenger in the lounge has identified themselves when checking in.

Continue Reading »

Spouse Checking In With Your Marriott Account? ‘We WILL Report You’—Expect To Lose Points, Face A Ban

Mar 09 2025

A Marriott employee recently warned on social media that Bonvoy has been pushing hotels to report guests who try to share loyalty accounts. If your spouse is staying under your account to use your benefits, and let you earn the points, this could get you audited.

However, he adds not to be a jerk to the front desk – the reservation might not be honored, but they probably won’t waste their time reporting you.

Continue Reading »

‘You’ll Be Held Accountable’: Leaked Memo Reveals American Airlines Plans Crackdown On Dirty Cabins, Missing Meals, And Poor Service Starting June 9

Mar 09 2025

Effective June 9, American says they will begin to pay attention to cabin appearance (but to achieve this they need planes to have more time on the ground for cleaners to clean). They will care that catering is loaded. They will care that flight attendants follow service standards.

Continue Reading »