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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Discounts with Visa

It’s worth checking the Visa website occasionally. They have several discounts and free offers to take advantage of with companies you’re probably buying from anyway. Just a few examples: $10 off $50 at Office Depot Second night free at Radisson hotels Free half-pound of African coffee when you add $35 to your Starbucks card 15% Off at JC Penney

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Easy Partner for Northwest Fly Free Faster 4

In my discussion of strategies for Northwest’s Fly Free Faster 4 bonus I mentioned earning a partner credit by shopping at Office Max through the Northwest Mall and purchasing some “free after rebate” items. From today through Saturday, June 26 the following items are free after rebate at Office Max: Belkin Double-Sided Copy Clip (0223-2300) $4.99 – $4.99 = $0 3M 10-oz. Electronic Equpiment Cleaner (2034-5253) $5.99 – $5.99 = $0 Endust 10-oz. Duster (0221-4142) $8.99 – $8.99 = $0 Digital Camera Memory Card Readers (2068-8481/2068-8506/20688711/2068-8490) $29.99 – $19.99 – = $0 Sakar Trimstyle Caller ID Phone of 13 Memory Desk Speakerphone (2017-2965/2017-2956/2033-2089/2033-2052) $19.99 – $9.99 – $10 = $0 24-CD Wallet (2055-6649) $4.99 – $4.99 = $0 Royal Expert 2 Organizer (2004-5782) $14.99 – $7 – $8 = $0 Remember that your order has…

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Renting a Car in Europe

MSNBC’s Savings Sleuth offers tips for renting a car in Europe. Since I can’t figure out how to provide a permalink to the piece, I reproduce much of the advice below: 1. Reserve your car ahead, before you depart from the US Without fail, you’ll find that rates will be lower when you book from home. If you’re already on vacation and you decide you want to rent, it’s even worth it to have a friend or family member reserve on your behalf from the US. 2. Stick to the big car rental agencies When it comes to renting a car in Europe, you’ll more often than not get the best quotes from the biggest agencies: Avis, Hertz, EuropeCar, and AutoEurope. Be sure to inquire about current specials and discount initiatives. 3. Rent a manual…

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Just a reminder

If you enjoy the content of this blog, sign up to have each day’s entries sent to you by email. Just enter your address in the box underneath my picture on the right.(Note: I have never used this site’s subscription list for any other purpose.) Thanks for reading!

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Charter One Gift Card Opportunity to Diminish?

There’s a rumor afoot that Charter One Bank Gift cards are going to become less lucrative for earning miles. Charter One bank, whose gift cards have been useful for earning up to 5000 miles a month at no or next to no cost, is said to be planning to limit purchases to $1500 per month. I just entered my order for $5000 for the month, so the offer is apparently still working to its full potential. But it may not last much longer. The opportunity is described in detail at Charter One offers to sell you Gift Cards for no extra fee up front. These are pre-loaded Mastercards which can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. They can also be used for PIN transactions for a charge to the card of $1 per transaction, or…

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United Denied Government-backed Loan

The Air Transportation Stabilization Board has denied United’s request for a federally backed $1.8 billion loan. Apparently they believe the airline can survive without it, not surprising since the airline’s chief executive more or less said the same thing last week. Of course, if the airline couldn’t attract financing on its own, there would be an equally good argument to deny federal support. More fundamentally, what is an emergency measure designed to address potential liquidity problems in the immediate aftermath of September 11th still doing considering financial support for airlines three years later? And why are they open to considering another application from the airline in the future? Will we ever get out from under this process?

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Outstanding Predictions

I stumbled upon this three-year old article in Fast Company where Randy Petersen offers several predictions about frequent flyer miles: 25,000 miles for a domestic award ticket will remain the standard for awhile, though may eventually go up. Verdict: still true after three years. Award travel to Hawaii will remain difficult. Verdict: true, but no bonus points for ‘degree of difficulty’ on this one. The IRS won’t tax miles. Verdict: true after three years of data. Customized rewards are coming. Verdict: Air Canada’s introduction this year of a suite of benefits for elite members to choose from makes it look more and more like this prediction is coming true. It will get easier to redeem miles for small awards. Verdict: True. It isn’t just miles for magazines anymore, either, with the last entry into the…

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United is Offering Discounts from DC, too

Sign up to receive an electronic coupon good for 10% off flights of $100 or more purchased by June 20, 2004 for travel from Washington, Dulles (IAD), Reagan International (DCA) or Baltimore-Washington International (BWI). Not alot of time to use it, but still useful for those of us in the DC area buying United tickets every week.

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