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 »

More articles by Gary Leff »

American Retaliates Against Delta, Ramps Up New York LaGuardia

Sep 13 2015

Delta refused to renew its interline agreement with American at standard industry pricing that allowed the two airlines to accommodate each others’ passengers in the event of irregular operations.

Now it looks like American is hitting Delta in the New York market, just as Delta co-brands an ad campaign with the state of New York to declare its supremacy there.

Continue Reading »

Male Model Has $646,000 Confiscated at Airport

Sep 13 2015

In June I wrote about a man who had his life savings confiscated because his luggage smelled of pot. It was one of over 90 such seizures in a year at the Cincinnati airport alone.

In July I wrote about a man who had $44,000 seized at New York JFK even though he was never charged with a crime. He couldn’t get his money back because it took him 90 days to get assistance jumping through all of the required hoops to file a petition for the funds to be returned — and the government only gives you 35 days to file in federal court.

Of course famous people who actually become abusive inflight don’t suffer such punishments.

Continue Reading »

Business Class to Asia With American Miles Wide Open, No Fuel Surcharges

Sep 12 2015

Japan Airlines is launching 4 times weekly service (Sunday/Monday/Wednesday/Friday in both directions) between Dallas and Tokyo on November 30.

I was not aware that there was business class space available. I usually use the British Airways website for searching Japan Airlines award space, and that space is not showing up on BA.com. (The American and Qantas websites do not show JAL space at all.)

Continue Reading »

One-Way United Awards for $104 or 7500 Miles, and Other Great Redemption Values If You Act Fast

Sep 12 2015

Usually when airlines run award redemption sales, you’re limited to their own flights. But through Tuesday September 15, Star Alliance program Avianca LifeMile is offering redemption discounts on partner flights!

And usually when airlines run award redemption sales, you’re limited to economy flights. This LifeMiles sale even includes business and international first class.

It pairs with a big discount on purchased miles at just 1.4 cents apiece.

Continue Reading »