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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132,000 Miles And Star Alliance Gold Status For $855

Nov 26 2020

Star Alliance member TAP Air Portugal sells monthly mileage packages. For Black Friday (until November 30, 2020 in Lisbon) they’re offering more miles than usual at signup, more miles per month, and elite status as a signup promotion. The offer lets you buy miles at just over half a cent apiece and have access to United Clubs when flying United domestically.

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Why Delta’s Operation Is Melting Down Over Thanksgiving

Nov 26 2020

Delta Air Lines, which has developed a reputation for extreme reliability, has faced a Thanskgiving operational meltdown cancelling a more flights over the holiday weekend than they typically cancel in a year. So far on Thanksgiving day Delta has cancelled 259 flights, or 18% of its schedule. By comparison, American Airlines has cancelled 5 flights and United has cancelled 7.

What’s going on at Delta? Delta’s meltdown seems to be a combination of poor operational management, and failing to use the tools available to them which would incur costs.

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Air India Will Launch Non-Stop Bangalore Service, United And American Are Punching Air!

Nov 25 2020

Air India announced three-times weekly San Francisco – Bangalore non-stop service starting January 11, 2021. It will be Air India’s longest route, on board a Boeing 777-200LR.

American Airlines announced Bangalore service first, followed by United. American’s service will start last and appears to be the most vulnerable with this move.

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Yes, Airlines Will Transport Vaccines Without A Second Government Bailout, Why Do You Ask?

Nov 25 2020

Texas Senator John Cornyn is calling for more airline subsidies and the arguments being deployed now are even crazier than before.

These payroll subsidies have become more expensive and cover a shorter period of time, even though airline payrolls are lower than they were during the first bailout. And deploying the argument that vaccines won’t be transported without airline subsidies is both terribly cynical and untrue.

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