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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Flight Attendant Who Refused Covid-19 Vaccine Sues United Airlines Over Lack Of Pay

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

A Boston-based United Airlines flight attendant, who was granted a religious exemption to the airline’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate, is suing the carrier because the form of her exemption was unpaid leave and she reports she did not have income for six months as a result.

In her filing made Wednesday she suggests she would be unable to go to Heaven when she dies if she became vaccinated – somewhat oddly only vaccines which are not “scientifically proven, safe, and effective” are precluded.

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Large Size Model Demands Wider Aircraft Aisles After Struggling To Make It Through United Business Class

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

Usually the complaint is that seats aren’t large enough, that people who don’t fit in them have to buy bigger seats in order to fly.

“Big Curvy Olivia” points to a different issue entirely: she says it is discrimination that aircraft aisles are so narrow, and posts video of herself struggling to get through a United Airlines Polaris business class cabin.

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Air Canada Selling Miles For 1.24 Cents Apiece (110% Bonus, Good Deal)

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

I don’t write about a lot of mileage purchase offers, because they usually aren’t a good deal. Even with a bonus of 85% or 100% the points still frequently cost more than they’re worth.

One exception to the rule on why I don’t cover too many airline mileage sales is this one from Air Canada Aeroplan: up to 110% bonus on purchased miles, no tax for U.S. residents, and a favorable exchange rate. That brings the mileage cost down to $0.0124 per point. I value Aeroplan miles at 1.4 cents apiece.

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New “Star System” Holds American Airlines Gate Agents Responsible For Mechanical Delays, Lack Of Crew

by Gary Leff

airport
May 18 2023

American Airlines has a new rating system for gate agents, ranking each one on a five star scale. Based on details from multiple agents, this rating system includes everything related to the flight – including things they have no control over whatsoever. If they touch a flight that delays, that’s on them, even when it’s a maintenance delay.

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American’s Flight Attendants Are Talking Up Strike Vote: Will Summer Travel Be Ruined?

by Gary Leff

May 18 2023

The Association of Flight Attendants has told its members to prepare for a strike vote. This riles up the members, and makes it sound like the union is militant, when in fact they’re continuing to negotiate with the company and if all continues to proceed apace they won’t end up in a strike.

This is the union playing politics with its own members, not against the company.

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