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 »

More articles by Gary Leff »

Do-it-yourself upgrades American Airlines flies

Do-it-yourself upgrades American Airlines flies several three class (First/Business/Coach) 767 and 777 flights that are sold as two class (first and economy). That means that the business class seats are sold as coach (with coach service — just the better seat). In order to pre-reserve these seats, you need to be an American Airlines elite (because the front of coach is reserved for American Airlines elites who fly more than 25,000 miles a year with the airline). So, if you’re an elite it’s a “do-it-yourself” upgrade. You can also get these seats if you purchase a full fare ticket. At the airport itself you might have luck requesting one of these seats as well. Here are the current flights where this is possible: LAX-ORD AA88 9:36-15:36 ORD-LAX AA89 15:02-17:25 MIA-DFW: AA908 7:30-9:42, AA69 17:24-19:45 DFW-MIA:…

Continue Reading »

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?

Continue Reading »

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…

Continue Reading »

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…

Continue Reading »

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.

Continue Reading »

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!

Continue Reading »

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

Continue Reading »