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 »

United Flight’s Controversial Decision After Massive Vomiting Episode

by Gary Leff

Oct 28 2023

On a United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco, a severe vomiting incident caused the plane to divert to Chicago, despite it being a smooth ride with no turbulence. While the airline termed it a “biohazard” and moved passengers due to the mess, the vomiting individual was allowed to continue on the flight to San Francisco, raising questions about the safety and decision-making of the airline, especially since they were already at a United hub with alternate travel options.

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GHA Discovery’s Surge: Why Smaller Can Be Mightier in Hotel Loyalty

by Gary Leff

Oct 28 2023

GHA Discovery, a coalition loyalty program serving 40 smaller hotel chains, has experienced significant growth and success, particularly following a comprehensive relaunch two years ago. Despite challenges like having a smaller footprint, especially in the U.S., the program boasts impressive third-quarter numbers, with 25 million members, increased cross-brand revenue, and doubled year-to-date revenue, making it a notable contender in the hotel loyalty space.

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Crazy Plane Lady Grift Has Dropped: From Onboard Chaos To Major Marketing Sensation

by Gary Leff

Oct 28 2023

The “Crazy Plane Lady” who became a worldwide sensation back in July is trying to extend her fifteen minutes with a new grift.

On July 2, an American Airlines passenger declared that a man seated by her was “not real” and warned everyone that if they stayed on board the flight they would die. Since then she’s been trying to keep herself relevant, and now she’s revealed her first grift.

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American Airlines Passenger Sat In An Empty First Class Seat: ‘They Made Me Move For Someone White’

by Gary Leff

economy seats
Oct 27 2023

The self-upgrading woman was black. The passenger American made her give up her seat in front of the (Air?)bus was black. The passenger being moved up was white. She was asked to go to what she says was “the back of the bus” to her assigned 14A. She objected and she was invited to get off the plane and onto the jet bridge to discuss her concerns.

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Watch: Iron Dome Defends Tel Aviv Airport from Inbound Missiles While Plane Comes In To Land

by Gary Leff

Oct 27 2023

While nearly all other airlines have ceased operations that Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel’s national carrier El Al continues to operate nearly its entire schedule, every day.

Yet there’s video of an aircraft on approach to Tel Aviv while Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system takes out inbound rockets.

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Are Centurion Lounges A Hero Or A Zero? Why Some Would Pay $60 Per Visit, Others $0

by Gary Leff

Oct 27 2023

Some of the variance is based on how much people spend on airports and save in the Centurion lounge. Others value it as an ideal, a real escape from the terminal and good food and drink and what that might retail for.

The problem is that, as I wrote five and a half years ago, Centurion lounges have gotten so busy nobody goes there anymore. The experience rarely measures up to the ideal where you experience peace, a nice meal, and even a spa treatment.

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