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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The man and woman who

The man and woman who are auctioning off the right to name their baby have received bids in excess of $7,000. The man and woman who are auctioning off the right to name their bird have yet to receive a bid. Speciesism, perhaps?

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Amtrak! No, this isn’t a

Amtrak! No, this isn’t a post about how Amtrak should be liquidated through a bankruptcy proceeding. It’s a post about getting the most out of your rail travel. Occasionally, I move past airlines and offer other tips such as how to get rental car discounts. In this case, I have several tibits to offer. First, I’m always surprised how many people don’t realize that Amtrak has a frequent rider program. Definitely worth signing up. However, don’t just sign up because the program is there. Wait until you’re going to take a train trip, and you’ll get 500 bonus points. Second, Amtrak has an elite level that offers upgrades to first class if space is available, and passes to their first class lounge. 5 roundtrips on the Acela Express or Metroliner in a year is all…

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Credit Card deals

Credit Cards for Earning Miles. My favorite card is the Starwood American Express which lets you earn 1.25 points/dollar in pretty much any airline program you want. What’s more, it’s free the first year and only $30/yr thereafter. (And I’m editing the link in this post — 7/13/02 — to a new offer that includes 4000 Starwood points at signup.) Right now, there is a truly special offer for signing up for the Northwest Visa (must act by July 15). 25,000 bonus miles for signup. And you might as well carry a Visa and an Amex, right? But here’s something that most people miss. Most good mileage earning cards have annual fees. How about the hotel cards? You can pick up a hotel credit card with no annual fee — and what’s more, they offer…

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I keep meaning to walk

church
Jul 04 2002

I keep meaning to walk into the Founding Church of Scientology in Dupont Circle — they invite tours and advertise “help wanted” all the time. I’ve never gotten around to it, but PJ Doland has, and he filed this report.

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Victory! Bill Bennett

washington post
Jul 04 2002

Victory! Bill Bennett concedes that conservatives have lost the culture war: “They’ve won,” says Bennett. “They can’t stand to have won, but it’s over and they’ve won. They get to say and do anything and make billions and castigate us in the process.” Good riddance!

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Free miles

united
Jul 04 2002

Since I have so many new visitors, I thought I’d take a moment to summarize some of the quick ways to click for miles that I’ve posted: 1000 Continental miles for completing a survey 2000 Hilton points for updating your profile Up to 2500 Delta miles for referring new Skymiles members 500 USAirways miles for signing up for their free golf newsletter 1000 United miles and 500 American miles Up to 300 American miles for taking a survey 1500 Alaska Air miles for email signup

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Family Leave comes to German

lufthansa plane docked
Jul 04 2002

Family Leave comes to German Aviation. European countries are unmatched in their “sensitivity” to personal issues. Now frequent flyers can take advantage of this sensitivity! Top level Lufthansa Elites can now stay that way if they stop flying as long as they have children. This fascinating new rule they just announced: ——————————————————————————– Lufthansa Senators and Frequent Travellers who would be unable to maintain their status during maternity leave can now retain their status. The status extension is valid for one year at a time, and can be used by mothers or fathers. ——————————————————————————– As I read the “one year at a time” line – if you and your wife are a Senator now, and you then have 5 children, one per year, husband and wife both stay Senator for that 5 year period.

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