Category Archives for Commentary.
The Trump administration is considering an unprecedented plan to force banks to verify and collect proof of citizenship from every single customer—even those who’ve had accounts for years. If enacted, this proposal would create a logistical nightmare, potentially freezing millions of bank accounts for Americans unable to promptly produce passports or other citizenship documents.
A single scene from the forgotten 1984 film Over the Brooklyn Bridge shaped how I think about negotiation, arbitrage, and frequent flyer miles. It’s a reminder that small efforts, when the stakes are right, can yield the biggest rewards — and that sometimes, the squeeze really is worth the juice.
Senator Elizabeth Warren argues that rising premium-cabin travel shows growing inequality, but the data tells a very different story. Airlines have expanded premium seating and cut upgrade prices, making those products more accessible than ever—even as Warren herself regularly flies on private jets.
A reader thought AAdvantage Dining had started charging for earning miles after seeing an “Advantage Program Fee” on their restaurant receipt. It turns out the fee comes from the restaurant’s point-of-sale system — a credit-card surcharge disguised with a confusing name.
British commentator Sami Hamdi—who once told Muslims to “celebrate” Hamas’s October 7 massacre—had his U.S. visa revoked and was arrested by federal agents at San Francisco International Airport. He’d just keynoted a CAIR event when Homeland Security moved to detain him, citing statements that “support terrorism and undermine American national security.”
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.
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 »
