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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Here are answers

Here are answers to your questions about United’s future. The government rejected United’s application for a government-backed loan. (They were seeking $2 billion with $1.8 billion guaranteed by the government.) The vote was 2-1 against with the Treasury and Fed representatives voting against and the Transportation Department voting for. As a result of the government’s rejection, the IAM (machinists’ union) cancelled their vote on contract concessions. Without those concessions and without the government loan, United has said it would file for bankruptcy. United has about $1.6 billion cash on hand and its net assets are positive, but it is losing about $7 million per day and is on track to lose $2 billion this year. They are in the midst of a ten-day grace period (which runs out December 12th) on a $350 million debt…

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A phone card which offers

A phone card which offers 2,500 Mexicana miles for signup. Mexicana is a member of the Star Alliance, so miles can be redeemed for United flights. Also, while United doesn’t participate with American Express Membership Rewards, Mexicana does — so Mexicana’s program can be a useful way to redeeming your AmEx points on United.

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A Cambodian mother

A Cambodian mother stopped her 13-year old daughter from going out by nailing her foot to the floor. Local law enforcement “educated her about human rights” but are still deciding whether to prosecute.

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An Elk on the runway

An Elk on the runway caused a jet crash in Oregon. I wonder if some terroist cells are training animals to throw themselfs in front of airplanes? These so-called Suicide Elk must be stopped. The TSA folks could walk the runways looking for specially trained suicide animals intent on terrorizing the nation.

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WTIC-AM NewsRadio is reporting that

WTIC-AM NewsRadio is reporting that a federal (TSA) security screener has been charged with threatening to blow up a security checkpoint. (Note that the link works as of posting, but is likely to change / link thanks to the comedian) STATE POLICE HAVE CHARGED A FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION SECURITY SCREENER AT BRADLEY AIRPORT WITH THREATENING TO BLOW UP A SECURITY CHECKPOINT IN TERMINAL A. WAYNE SALVADOR, 50, OF SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS IS CHARGED WITH THREATENING AND BREACH OF PEACE. STATE POLICE SAY SALVADOR GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT WITH ANOTHER SCREENER MONDAY, THREATENED TO HARM OTHER EMPLOYEES AND BLOW UP THE CHECKPOINT. SALVADOR WAS ARRESTED EARLY WEDNESDAY WHEN HE SHOWED UP FOR WORK AT THE AIRPORT AND WILL BE ARRAIGNED AT ENFIELD SUPERIOR COURT. Federalizing security workers was an important step in making us safer, wasn’t it?

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Gary Steiger has

Gary Steiger has an excellent page which summarizes a whole mess of frequent flyer miles earning opportunities from phone to banking to internet clicking. I’m mentioning him now because he got a nice writeup in the new issue of InsideFlyer magazine.

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American Airlines is

American Airlines is selling their elite status (first class upgrades, bonus miles, etc.). If you have elite status now but didn’t requalify, you can pay to extend your status.

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