View from the Wing

Westin Napa Verasa and the BottleRock Festival

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2017

Jun 04 2017

My wife and I went to the BottleRock festival in Napa over Memorial Day weekend, and it was notable for several reasons. I had never stayed at the Westin Napa before. Napa Valley is home to some of the best wineries around and the festival had drawn everyone away most of them were deserted.

And it’s a great example of an experiential points redemption opportunity — I’m not a huge concert-goer but I definitely can enjoy watching from a Starwood American Express suite rather than from the the packed grass.

Government Airline With Flights to Area 51 and Big Changes Coming to American at LAX

by Gary Leff on June 4, 2017

Jun 04 2017

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Delta Upgraded Sean Penn Because He Didn’t Get Into a Fight and Amtrak Sues Over Delta Ads

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2017

Jun 03 2017

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

United Airlines Onboard Credit Card Announcements Begin July 1

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2017

Jun 03 2017

Inflight credit card announcements begin on United July 1.

In order to launch the program, flight attendants need to go through a training about the products and to make sure they know the importance of accuracy in their announcements because false claims create risk of regulatory reaction by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

82 Year Old Grandma Fights Back Against the TSA After Her Hand Soap is Confiscated

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2017

Jun 03 2017

Eighty two year old grandmother Lila Mae Bryan was traveling through the Wichita airport on Wednesday when TSA employees identified her 8 ounce bottle of hand gel from Bath and Body Works and confiscated it.

She walked around the X-ray machine and hit the TSA screener in the arm. Police wouldn’t allow her to apologize.

Got Top Elite Status or a Million Miles, You Can Have 3 Months of Free Private Jet Membership

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2017

Jun 03 2017

JetSmarter is a membership service that lets you take available seats on private jet flights for free, or get access to charter a flight yourself. There are last minute deals which vary and they run certain routes as shuttles.

Now they’re offering a free 3-month trial if you have top tier elite status with an airline or a million points in a frequent flyer program or bank proprietary program.

The Biggest Problem Loyalty Programs Think They Face is Millennials, and They’re Getting It All Wrong

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2017

Jun 03 2017

Every industry conference I attend features a discussion of millennials. Loyalty programs are trying to figure out how to appeal to this generation. Their fears are being stoked by consultants selling an array of ‘solutions’.

Consultants are telling loyalty programs that millennials are short term in nature. And they want experiences over things. But the solutions they’re selling are counterproductive.

The First Hotel in Europe to Change its Sheets, and the Best Chinese Restaurant in the United States

by Gary Leff on June 3, 2017

Jun 03 2017

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Blind Man Kicked Off Frontier Airlines Flight Because He’d Be a ‘Liability’ in an Emergency

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2017

Jun 02 2017

Frontier Airlines, remade in the image of Spirit, has its share of bizarre policies and even stranger passengers.

A monkey got loose on a flight to Las Vegas. A woman kicked at the cockpit of her flight and stripped naked.

But what Frontier Airlines really cannot abide, it seems, it a passenger who is blind. At least if Kliphton Miller’s experience is any indication.

Get 1000 Free Miles In Your Choice of Airline Programs Just for Joining Marriott Rewards

by Gary Leff on June 2, 2017

Jun 02 2017

Marriott Rewards will give you 1000 miles just for joining in your choice of airline frequent flyer program and then double miles in that program for Marriott stays through August 31 (up to 35,000 miles).

You can choose from 7 airline mileage programs to earn with.

Westin Napa Verasa and the BottleRock Festival

Government Airline With Flights to Area 51 and Big Changes Coming to American at LAX

Delta Upgraded Sean Penn Because He Didn’t Get Into a Fight and Amtrak Sues Over Delta Ads

United Airlines Onboard Credit Card Announcements Begin July 1

82 Year Old Grandma Fights Back Against the TSA After Her Hand Soap is Confiscated

Got Top Elite Status or a Million Miles, You Can Have 3 Months of Free Private Jet Membership

The Biggest Problem Loyalty Programs Think They Face is Millennials, and They’re Getting It All Wrong

The First Hotel in Europe to Change its Sheets, and the Best Chinese Restaurant in the United States

Blind Man Kicked Off Frontier Airlines Flight Because He’d Be a ‘Liability’ in an Emergency

Get 1000 Free Miles In Your Choice of Airline Programs Just for Joining Marriott Rewards

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]