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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Southwest Tells Mother To “Glue” Mask Onto Her Two Year Old’s Face

Aug 17 2021

On August 12 a mother was traveling with her husband, four year old, and two year old from Orlando To Norfolk, Virginia. While they traveled well to Florida, they were having difficulty with the younger child on the way home. The two year old wouldn’t keep her mask on, because she sucks her thumb and the mask gets in the way.

Two flight attendants, the woman said, stood over them watching as she struggled with the child. And one suggested she “glue it to her face.” And, “[t]he flight attendant, Cleek said, indicated she had glue available.”

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Americans Support Vaccine Passports For Air Travel By A Wide Margin

Aug 17 2021

According to recent polling a vaccination requirement to fly on a plane enjoys broad support from Americans. This is true regardless of political party, age, or income. It’s also true of all races and regions of the country.

Overall support is 2-1, with 64% of respondents approving of vaccine passports for air travel, which is greater than the support for such a requirement to attend concerns or sporting events.

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Plane Takes Off With 800 Passengers As Desperate Afghans Flee Taliban

Aug 16 2021

A U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane carried as many as 800 passengers out of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, more than four times the number of people it would typically hold with cargo on board.

The scene at the airport has been desperate as people have tried to evacuate the country. Many couldn’t get to the airport, and those who made it needed to escape because they’d face Taliban checkpoints if they tried to return home.

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Hyatt Buying 100 Hotel And Vacation Package Business, Apple Leisure Group

Aug 15 2021

Hyatt is adding 100 new hotels with the purchase of Apple Leisure Group from private equity investors KKR and KSL Capital in a $2.7 billion transaction. Apple Leisure owns AMResorts and provides charter flights to Mexico and the Caribbean along with vacation packages through Apple Vacations and CheapCaribbean.com.

This gives Hyatt a presence in New European markets – they highlight Spain, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands and Greece – and more all-inclusive luxury properties thian anyone else “such as Secrets Resorts & Spa, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts and Alua Hotels & Resorts.”

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Review: Park Hyatt DC Upgrade To A Georgetown Suite

Aug 15 2021

I had to go to Washington DC for work recently and my wife and I decided that she and our daughter would come along for the weekend leading up to my time there. I cringe at the industry term ‘bleisure’ but that’s what this was.

Since I was with family I confirmed a suite, and I was able to take advantage of elite breakfast from room service too.

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