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 »

Great Business Class Award Space To Tokyo And Beyond From 8 U.S. Cities

by Gary Leff

Jan 16 2023

Many airlines don’t make award space available until closer to travel. They only want to let you spend the lowest number of points for seats they’re confident they will not sell. And they may not be sure what that looks like until closer to travel. That’s especially been true during the pandemic when it hasn’t been clear when countries would re-open for travel, or when travel demand would return.

Japan Airlines has returned to making business class award seats available at the start of the booking calendar, with great availability right now from all U.S. gateways to Tokyo for two or more passengers.

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How To Fly Singapore Airlines – Whether Coach, Premium Economy, Or Business – For 30% Fewer Miles

by Gary Leff

Jan 16 2023

Singapore Airlines is one of the world’s best carriers, some would even say the best overall. Their product isn’t just premium at the front end of the aircraft, they pay attention to little details in economy like a bit more legroom; cup holders and foot rests on long haul seats; quality food and one of the best entertainment systems. Service is known to be almost universally good.

What some people don’t realize is that they do not fly just to Singapore. They fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo. They fly from New York to Frankfurt and they fly from Houston to Manchester, England.

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Japanese Airline ANA’s Disappearing First Class Awards

by Gary Leff

Jan 16 2023

Star Alliance member ANA, a United Airlines partner, has offered one of the world’s best first class products for a long time – and it has kept getting better. Often underrated compared to Emirates, Air France and others, their new “The Suite” seat is outstanding; service is among the best in the world albeit tending towards Japanese formality; and the catering truly hard to beat, if not as varied as it once was.

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TIL: We Almost Got Rid Of The Worst Airport Gate In America 20 Years Ago. US Airways Quashed The Plan

by Gary Leff

airport escalators going down
Jan 15 2023

Washington National airport built an entire new concourse to replace one miserable gate. Gate 35X was a bus gate that served 14 remote stands for 50 seat regional jets. The new regional concourse supports 14 large regional jets. There’s a gorgeous Admirals Club in that concourse, too.

The new concourse was part of the 10-figure “Project Journey” which moved security screening so that all of the concourses and “National Hall” would be airside. It turns out we didn’t need to wait two decades to eliminate ‘the worst gate in the country’.

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Flight Attendants Are Doing Two New Things On Their Devices During Boarding At American Airlines

by Gary Leff

Jan 15 2023

Now that American Airlines has rolled out new iPhones and iPads to frontline employees they’ve been given a new tool. The airline has been talking up how they’ll use ConnectMe for four years.

It’s now been extended to 17 airports (including all of the airline’s hubs) to improve communication between the gate and crew on board an aircraft that’s getting ready to depart. This way flight attendants don’t have to pick up the phone and gate agents don’t come running down the jetbridge. There are two new things cabin crew are using it for.

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What We Know Now About Friday Night’s Near-Disaster At JFK Airport

by Gary Leff

Jan 15 2023

The American plane, a 22 year old Boeing 777-200 (registration N754AN) crossed in front of the Delta jet that was in its takeoff roll. Air traffic control saw this happening and at almost the last possible moment called out to Delta to abort takeoff, out of fear the two planes would collide (“Shit! Delta 1943 cancel takeoff clearance!”).

We know a little bit more than was immediately available when this incident was first disclosed.

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