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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Hyatt Revamping Award Charts—With 78 Price Levels, Free Nights At Top Hotels Get Up To 67% More Expensive

Feb 25 2026

The World of Hyatt program will expand its award charts from three to five price levels per category, creating 78 possible redemption prices across their standard and all-inclusive charts. The most expensive points redemptions can cost up to 67% more points than before. While the lowest tier prices actually fall on some properties, the new structure lets Hyatt charge far more at peak demand, potentially changing how members will value and redeem their points in significant ways.

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Trump Administration Plan To Force Banks To Verify Everyone’s Citizenship Could Freeze Millions Of Accounts—It’s Probably Illegal

Feb 25 2026

The Trump administration is considering an unprecedented plan to force banks to verify and collect proof of citizenship from every single customer—even those who’ve had accounts for years. If enacted, this proposal would create a logistical nightmare, potentially freezing millions of bank accounts for Americans unable to promptly produce passports or other citizenship documents.

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People Are Washing Underwear in Hotel Room Coffee Makers—Then Brewing Coffee the Next Morning

Feb 23 2026

A viral travel hack suggests running your underwear through a hotel room coffee maker with boiling water—then blow-drying it and making coffee in the same machine the next morning. The clip has reignited long-standing warnings about what really happens inside in-room brewers—and why many travelers refuse to use them at all.

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