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 »

Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum Have A New Tourist Tax That’s Not Included In Your Ticket

hotel by beach
Mar 13 2021

Starting April 1 all international visitors over age 15 to the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel and Tulum, will have to pay a new tourism tax of 224 pesos (US$10.81). Visitors from Belize get a 10% discount.

The tax is enforced upon departure. It isn’t included when you buy your airline tickets, making it an extra hassle apart from the cost.

Continue Reading »

Brilliant Way To Board A Plane Solves Social Distancing – And Gate Lice

Mar 12 2021

An airline boarding process video has gone viral – it’s been viewed nearly 4 million times on TikTok and been reposted several times on Instagram. The reason the video has drawn so much attention is because it’s a boarding process most people have never seen before. It’s socially distanced and orderly, and it involves moving blue lights projected on the ground that seem to force passengers to behave the way they’re supposed to.

Continue Reading »

SCOOP: While American Airlines Prepared To Furlough Thousands Of Workers, Management Got Raises

Mar 12 2021

At the beginning of February American Airlines sent out 13,000 WARN Act notices letting employees know they might be furloughed at the beginning of April. At the same time American was preparing to provide widespread across-the-board raises to management.

View From The Wing has learned that American provided Level 5 (manager) employees and above. A third taxpayer bailout stopped the furloughs, but taxpayers will now be picking up the tab for raises.

Continue Reading »