Category Archives for Commentary.
Expedia just launched inside ChatGPT, letting you book hotels and flights directly in the chat. But when I asked the AI whether that’s actually a good idea, it warned me — “Don’t use it.”
A 550-pound rapper got a pay day after a Lyft driver refused to pick her up, saying she wouldn’t fit in his car.
Passengers scrambled off planes after Trump’s sudden $100,000 H1B visa fee—an illegal, counterproductive move that disrupted flights and drove skilled workers to stay put in the U.S.
I’ve written this blog alone for 23 years, and a new book helped me see how being ‘on the spectrum’ is the reason it worked.
Two decades later, I still carry the memories of 9/11—and the hidden aviation stories that most people have never heard.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has struck a deal with Uber and Lyft that (1) will unionize drivers, and (2) deliver big cost cuts to the ridesharing platforms. But it’s the unions themselves that will benefit most; helpful to the Governor as he prepares for a presidential run.
Uber and Lyft will see a 70% – 94% reduction in how much insurance they have to carry, and while unions will be able to collect dues they won’t get much bargaining leverage.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was indicted by a federal grand jury – highly unusual for a sitting mayor (it’s never happened before in New Orleans!). Former officer on her protection detail, and alleged affair partner, Jeffrey Paul Vappie II, was also indicted.
Your spare points can buy someone time that money can’t. Give A Mile is a lean, volunteer‑driven nonprofit that converts donated frequent flyer miles into “flights of compassion,” reuniting families when every hour matters. Their mission statement is brutally simple: “The cost of a plane ticket should never be the reason someone dies alone.”
Underrated doesn’t mean something is the best, just that it’s better than commonly appreciated. Overrated doesn’t mean it’s not good — or even great — just that it isn’t as good as people in general seem to think.
Overrated or underrated is about lowering or raising the status of things. It’s about whether you think people in general regard it too highly, or not highly enough, relative to its actual worth.
I failed to earn miles when I was younger, even failed to have an account when I first flew enough to earn elite status. I’ve let miles expire. And I broke some program rules without even realizing it was a big deal.
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 »
