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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The U.S. Is Handing Out Takeoff And Landing Slots At Newark, Which Isn’t Even Slot Controlled

airport newark
Sep 16 2021

Newark airport is no longer slot controlled. The only U.S. airports where an airline is required to have takeoff and landing slots to operate are New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, and Washington’s National airport. Airlines still need to secure gates and ticket counter space, of course.

Yet the U.S. is prepared to hand out slots that used to be used by Southwest Airlines to a low cost carrier. Here’s why airlines still want them.

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American Airlines Cuts Curbside Check-in From Many Airports, Charges New Fee Where Still Available

baggage claim
Sep 16 2021

American Airlines now outsources curbside check-in at the limited number of airports where it’s still available, and it’s no longer offered free (plus tips) where provided. Instead it’ll cost $3 per bag to use the service.

Even hubs like Phoenix, New York JFK, Los Angeles, and Charlotte don’t have American Airlines curbside check-in at this point.

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Why American’s New Rule Against Reimbursing Hotel Stays Is Such A Problem

AA vouchers
Sep 16 2021

There’s debate over whether changes to the American Airlines Contract of Carriage (the adhesion contract you’re agreeing to when you buy a ticket) matter or not. The airline says they’re not obligated to put you on another airline when they cancel your flight, and won’t reimburse your hotel if you submit a receipt unless they’re legally required to do so.

It’s this system of providing hotel stays I want to touch on for a moment. The airline has been saying that the only way they will cover your hotel is if they provide you with a voucher.

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American Airlines Buys Stake In Brazil’s Gol, Elite Benefits Are Coming

Sep 15 2021

After American Airlines lost its pending joint venture with South American mega-carrier to Delta, they’ve been working to piece together new partnerships. They quickly partnered with Brazil’s Gol, which Delta was forced to walk away from in order to do their LATAM deal.

This morning they’ve announced a deepening of their relationship with the Brazilian airline.

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