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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BA Bonus for Premium Cabin Transatlantic Travel

british-airways-plane
Jan 11 2005

British Airways is offering 40,250 bonus miles for transatlantic roundtrip flights in first or business class through April 30. Registration required and offer is available to residents of the US and Canada only. As NotiFlyer observes, BA is trying to make itself relevant to North American flyers by marketing the way that these bonus miles can be used on partner airlines for domestic travel.

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Whose miles are the most valuable?

Speaking as someone with a hefty seven-figure total mileage balance (which doesn’t compare to some folks I know with an eight-figure balance), my own preferences are as follows, in order: Starwood: hotel rooms are almost always available, plus points transfer into most airline programs is at 1:1 — plus 5k bonus for transferring 20k. Starwood Amex is the best points-earning card to the extent that spending earns 1.25 miles per dollar on all spending when transferring points in 20k blocks to airlines with 1:1 ratio, which is better than the AA Mastercard for instance. Not to mention the card is cheaper. American: I’ve never had any problems with availability. Partner awards are great. All miles earned count towards lifetime elite (we’ll see if that feature lasts). United: Availability on UA metal ain’t what it used…

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Up to $100 off on Travelocity Last Minute Deals

Travelocity has a new promo code, TRAVEL_MORE, which will take: $50 off any Last Minute Deals package purchase of at least $300. $100 off any Last Minute Deals package purchase of at least $600. Valid through April 30. Anecdotally it appeared to take $150 off a $900 package as well, but it may be an anomaly.

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Air Tahiti Nui Special from Los Angeles to Tahiti and Paris

air tahiti
Jan 07 2005

Only good on a few dates and flights, but nice values nevertheless: Hot Winter Specials – 2 Romantic DestinationsJust in time for a Valentine’s Day Getaway!!Take your Sweetie to Tahiti or go to France for Romance! TahitiMoana Economy $395 per person, plus tax Poerava Business $2000 per person, plus taxParis (CDG)Moana Economy $498 per Couple, plus taxPoerava Business $3400 per Couple, plus tax*** Tahiti Instant Purchase Special ***$395 (plus taxes) per person – Moana Economy Class $2000 (plus taxes) per person – Poerava Business ClassValid only by combining the following designated flights:Southbound – Los Angeles to Papeete, TahitiFlight # TN1: January 23, 30, February 3, 6, 13, 24 & 25.Flight # TN301: February 22. Northbound – Papeete, Tahiti to Los AngelesFlight # TN2: January 31, February 7, 9, 14, 16, & 28.Flight # TN302: February…

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Double Miles for Disaster Relief

united-plane
Jan 06 2005

United is offering 500 miles for gifts of $50 or more to one of their six designated relief charities. If you pay with your United Visa, you’ll earn double miles (update for clarity: double miles on the actual donation amount, not on the 500 mile bonus).

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