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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No More Waiting In Line? Digital Waitlists Are Finally Here for Amex Centurion Lounges

by Gary Leff

Nov 08 2024

It was 2018 when I wrote that Centurion lounges are so busy, nobody goes there anymore. I rarely stop in, even when I have the time. They’re too busy. The food isn’t as good as it used to be. And other lounges have improved.

They’ve limited guest access and how much time you can spend in a Centurion lounge, but that hasn’t solved the crowding as they sign up more and more cardmembers with the promise of access. But now they’re doing something that could at least make the waits easier.

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You Can Score Free Extra Legroom Seats On Your Next Flight With This ‘Check-In Chicken’ Trick—Here’s How It Works

by Gary Leff

Nov 08 2024

“Check-in chicken” is the idea of not checking in for your flight 24 hours in advance – and instead waiting until much closer to departure.

This benefits you if you don’t have a seat assignment because you aren’t eligible to get one in advance, or don’t want to pay for one of the better seats in a cabin but you’d still like a better seat.

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11 Game-Changing Rules For Stress-Free Flights With Kids—Other Passengers Will Thank You (Even In First Class)

by Gary Leff

Nov 07 2024

The truth is that children can often be better behaved than adults, that whether children cry or act out is often a function of how the parents prepare and react, and also that some kids are just easier to travel with than others.

However, here are 11 things we do that make travel go so much more smoothly, keep kids happy, and leave other passengers breathing a sigh of relief.

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Horrifying: Knife-Wielding Man Takes Flight Attendant Hostage Midflight – Passengers Respond With Brutal Beatdown

by Gary Leff

Nov 07 2024

A passenger was restrained by crew and other flyers on Copa Airlines flight 208 from Brasilia to Panama City after attempting to open an emergency exit door approximately 30 minutes prior to arrival. He was reportedly brandishing a plastic knife taken from his meal tray.

The disturbance began when the man grabbed a flight attendant and attempted to use the plastic knife to take her hostage while making his way toward the exit. Another flight attendant attempted to intervene but struggled to restrain him due to his strength. Other flight attendants began to scream.

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How Southwest Flyers Use The ‘Spite Seat’ Strategy To Outsmart Seat Savers And Reclaim Their Space

by Gary Leff

Nov 07 2024

When you’re last to board you have few options for comfort anyway. You might as well make the most of your seat choice.

In the spite play, you target passengers you believe are violating social norms and punish them by sitting next to them. You can sit next to the one putting crumpled tissues on the middle seat, or avoiding eye contact hoping you won’t sit there – and reward the passengers who don’t do that.

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