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 »

It pays to be a procrastinator

by Gary Leff on March 8, 2006

Mar 08 2006

Last month I reported that American Airlines was offering 2500 miles for test driving a Lincoln. (250 miles also on offer for watching a video about Lincoln.) Now they’ve upped the offer to 5000 miles for a test drive (and 50,000 miles for purchase, along with the original 250 miles for watching the video). I’ll finally get off my duff and go for a test drive this weekend! The new 5000 mile offer does say that it was targeted, though I have no idea if there’s actually a way for them to check who got this in their American Airlines eSummary. You might just use the old 2500 mile offer, but I’m going to use the new one.

Amtrak Transfer Bonus

by Gary Leff on March 7, 2006

Amtrak is offering 500 bonus points when you transfer 5000 or more points into your Guest Rewards account from one of their partners by March 31. While Amtrak hardly offers a great program, it’s a reasonable place to move Continental miles for sure. Log in to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account and then register using promo code 30806.

Rate Glitch Update: Holiday Inn Phuket

by Gary Leff on March 7, 2006

Last month I reported on a rate glitch at the Holiday Inn Phuket — THB0.01 per night from May through October — and the rate was available for more or less a full day. No one has been cancelled that I’m aware of, whether they booked at the Priority Club website, Travelocity, or elsewhere. The hotel did say at first that there was an error that they couldn’t honor, though they didn’t cancel reservations. Now, as reported by several Flyertalkers, the hotel has explicitly acknowledged that they will be honoring this “once-in a lifetime, special room rate.”

Fact Checking the Starwood Blog

by Gary Leff on March 6, 2006

The new Starwood Blog seems to be getting its footing, with some improved content, and it hasn’t been officially launched yet. I’m hoping that my early criticisms are overcome. In the meantime I noticed that they’re detailing the new Westin Arlington Gateway (which I reported on last week). But they don’t quite have their facts right: In addition to the reliably comfortable and spacious Westin rooms and appointments (with available in-room WiFi) Rooms at this brand new construction do not offer wireless internet. Their high-speed access is wired (and $14.95 at that). Wireless is available in the public spaces, though.

New Coca Cola Loyalty Program

by Gary Leff on March 3, 2006

Coca Cola has launched MyCokeRewards.com. Collecting points starts out with their 20 oz bottles but will spread across their product line. Delta and Hilton are redemption partners, and so far it looks like about 950 cokes gets you enough miles for a free domestic flight. Lounge passes are even an option. So far the financials don’t seem to work out to make it worth buying Coke just for the miles (unlike the recent Airtan/Wendy’s promo). But it’s enough to get me to buy Coke over a competitor that isn’t offering points. My bet is it won’t be long until we see redemption codes for sale on eBay…

Starwood’s New Blog

by Gary Leff on March 2, 2006

Starwood has launched a blog called The Lobby. So far it’s only marginally better than the lame attempt from Priority Club, but it’s a start. Entries are mostly quick puff featurettes on properties and things to do in cities centered around Starwood properties; think paragraph-long versions of airline inflight magazines. Now, they’d be really onto something if they provided real special rates (not just faux specials that are more expensive than standard rates), ‘behind the scenes looks’ into new hotel construction or a ‘Day in the Life of a Starwood General Manager’. In other words, they could sponsor real Starwood employees to really blog. Until that happens I’ll probably check into this one occasionally, I can’t help myself, even if I wish for more…

Spirit Air Launches a Frequent Flyer Program

by Gary Leff on March 2, 2006

As expecting since B. Ben Baldanza left USAirways as VP of Marketing to become President and COO in January 2005, Spirit Air has launched a frequent flyer program called Free Spirit. Details of the program include 5 (!) status levels and a co-branded Mastercard. All points earned in the program, from flying or partner activity (so far the credit card is the only partner) count towards status. It’s somewhat unclear what status gets you outside of bonus miles, the ability to nominate a member for status (once you reach VIP) and the ability to have a plane named for you (if you’re their top points-accumulating customer for the year). Discount coach only earns 50% of miles flown unless you have status, and there’s a screwy mileage expiration policy. FREE SPIRIT miles older than 6 months…

Scoring that hotel upgrade

by Gary Leff on March 1, 2006

Hotel Chatter ran some advice today on scoring a hotel upgrade, and the suggestions are substantially similar to the advice that I offered in November while guest blogging at Marginal Revolution. Read theirs and re-read mine.

The Westin Arlington Gateway is Now Open

by Gary Leff on March 1, 2006

The Westin Arlington Gateway had its official opening and ribbon-cutting today. I went over for the event and toured the property. I’d been over a few months ago while it was still under construction and I had to wear a hard hat. (We started out at the hotel’s temporary offices in a building behind the Holiday Inn down the street, saw a mock up of a guest room, and then headed over to the property.. After being taken out for a nice lunch, that is). The new building is a site to behold inside! That new hotel feel is just great, and the design is pretty sweet. It’s very light and airy, modern in look and feel. It reminds me of the Westin Melbourne, at least for the lighting. The top two floors aren’t done…

Free iTunes with Avis Car Rentals

by Gary Leff on March 1, 2006

Register to receive free iTune downloads for renting cars with Avis through June 30. You’ll receive an “email containing your music download code(s) for the iTunes Music Store® just days after you complete your rental.” Rent 1 to 4 days for 5 songs, and 10 songs for renting 5 days or more.

	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