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 »

Martin Short Volunteers His Airline Seat So Father And Daughter Can Sit Together

by Gary Leff

Feb 27 2023

Chance the Rapper – 29 year old Chancelor Bennett – was the first person ever to win a Grammy Award for a streaming-only album in 2016. He’s a big deal, even if not all readers will know him.

But he’s not beyond being star struck. He relays that he was flying with his daughter and “found out” that they weren’t seated beside each other. He hadn’t even mustered himself to ask passengers around him to switch seats when a “kind older gentleman offered his seat to” Chance’s daughter.

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Passenger Brought Their Own Tub Of Beer For The Flight, Ready For A Tailgate Party

by Gary Leff

Feb 26 2023

One passenger decided to take their alcohol supply needs into their own hands, not via the usual surreptitious method of pouring wine into a coffee cup (and occasionally blowing on it, to act like it’s hot coffee or tea) but with an open bucket. It’s not just Heinekens on offer though, they’re prepared with Coca Cola for anyone that prefers a soft drink as well.

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New All Business Class Airline BeOnd Plans To Serve 60-80 Destinations From A Hub… In The Maldives?

by Gary Leff

Feb 25 2023

New all business class airline BeOnd plans to launch with a hub in Male, capital of the Maldives. If there’s a luxury resort destination attracting a clientele that might spring for such a service, the Maldives is on the short list. But the business model of flying 68 premium seats on board A321neos to 60 – 80 destinations seems.. insane?

They plan to launch with the neo but ultimately fly A321XLRs to reach Europe and Australia. And they claim they’re going to be subsidized by the government of the Maldives, to which I have to wonder.. why?

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Always Claim Up To $200 Compensation When You’re Denied Marriott Elite Benefits

by Gary Leff

Feb 25 2023

It can be a pain to ask for the benefits guarantee, and Marriott will often deny it in the first instance based on the hotel claiming to have been compliant when they obviously weren’t. But it’s worth claiming the money because – since Marriott doesn’t do enough to keep hotels delivering on program benefits – consistently having to pay out for their elite benefits misdeeds is what will keep properties in line.

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What Happened To The Passenger Accused Of Being Child Predator For Offering Up First Class Seat

by Gary Leff

economy seats
Feb 25 2023

Here’s an update on the American Airlines ConciergeKey member accused of being a child predator by airline staff, after he asked a flight attendant to give his first class seat to an unaccompanied minor in coach.

After a flight attendant thought it was inappropriate, they had an American Airlines representative meet the flight on arrival in Dallas to confront the first class flyer. After the issue received attention, though, American Airlines contacted the passenger – who shared with me what happened next.

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