Should Hyatt Partner With A Corrupt Former Illinois Congressman?

by Gary Leff

Oct 22 2022

Ben Schlappig from One Mile at a Time reviewed the Hyatt House/Hyatt Place LAX and offered “I wouldn’t stay again, because I have issues supporting the owner and developer of the property (Aaron Schock).” He did not explain further, so I thought I would offer ‘the rest of the story.’

Schock is a former Illinois Republican Congressman who was indicted (but paid a fine as part of a deferred-prosecution agreement) for misappropriation of campaign funds. He came out as gay in 2020, but had a zero percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign.

Continue Reading »

My Experiences As An American Airlines ConciergeKey Member So Far

by Gary Leff

Oct 22 2022

I absolutely love ConciergeKey. I’m hoping that since it was granted over the summer, expiring March 2023, that it will be renewed for one more year – that when granted it’s for a ‘minimum of 12 months’ – because I can’t imagine I’ll ever be able to qualify again. I’ll never be in the league of those spending $50,000 – $60,000 on high yield tickets, and without a twice in a lifetime type of promotion like last December’s deal was I’m unlikely to ever generate 5 million AAdvantage miles in a year again either. I never thought I’d have this status, and I’ll miss it once it’s gone.

Continue Reading »

Boris Johnson Races Home On British Airways, Trying To Become Prime Minister Again

by Gary Leff

Oct 21 2022

Ex-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is returning to London from holiday in Punta Cana, just as shocked apparently as the rest of the world by the rapid meltdown of Liz Truss’s tenure at 10 Downing Street. He wasn’t even on the Continent.

Travel is expensive, and flights are full. So it shouldn’t be surprising that he isn’t flying business.

Continue Reading »

Trump Force One Returns To The Skies: Gold-Plated 757 Finally Repaired After Supporter Donations

by Gary Leff

Oct 21 2022

After former President Trump lost the 2020 election, he no longer had access to Air Force One and his private Boeing 757 was left in disrepair. At the time I wrote that if you wanted to know when he was ready to run again, just watch his private private plane which has gold-plated everything down to the seat belts.

The plane appears to have been repaired and is now flight-worthy.

Continue Reading »

Wide Open Transatlantic Business Class Awards For Whole Year, Up To 6 People

by Gary Leff

first class airline seat
Oct 21 2022

Singapore Airlines is one of the world’s best carriers. They don’t just fly to Singapore – they also operate ‘fifth freedom’ routes between the U.S. and Europe. Right now their New York JFK – Frankfurt flight has up to 6 business class award seats available most dates over the next year, and most credit card points transfer to book these.

Continue Reading »

4 Changes To Rapid Rewards Including New Companion Pass Requirement

by Gary Leff

Oct 21 2022

Southwest Airlines made four announcements about the Rapid Rewards program today. The best change is announcing something that’s been in effect for two years – priority boarding for Companion Pass companions. The worst change is more points required to earn a Companion Pass, but that won’t apply to the airline’s credit card holders. On net these are good updates to know, but not ones to be concerned about.

Continue Reading »