Comments on: I Charged For An Award Booking

By: Charles Coradino

Charles Coradino — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:37:40 +0000

Dear Gary,
please contact me about your service asap. I am planning a trip to Europe (Spain, Italy) in May 2009 and would like to book some business or first class tix. Thanks Charlie

By: Lila Harvey

Lila Harvey — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:55:45 +0000

Please contact me about signing up for a FF program for my children – don’t worry I will say thank you or pay you whatever is fair!! I got your contact details from The Travel Advisor.

Thanks, LH

nigelila@eim.ae

By: Upgrades and Downgrades: credit cards abroad, passport control, cockpit brawls, and more | Upgrade: Travel Better

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:00:35 +0000

[...] dispute assistance. At the same time, Gary Leff of View from the Wing is now charging $150 to help travelers book frequent flier tickets. I’m looking forward to seeing these business ideas develop. Good luck, [...]

By: iahphx

iahphx — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:57:49 +0000

Perhaps the best thing about charging is the added presumption that your clients are SERIOUS about booking travel. Like many folks reading your blog, I help lots of friends and family with their travel arrangements. Nothing annoys me more than tracking down a suitable deal and then having my friend or family member decide not to travel! I’ve actually thought of telling folks that I will help them for free, but if they decide not to go, then they have to pay me. I haven’t yet gotten up the nerve to do this to people I know. But it’s coming!

By: Marie

Marie — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:57:02 +0000

Bully for you for getting some compensation! I know how much time it takes to find travel deals and as such only do it for family and close friends. I’m not skilled enough to start charging yet but it’s nice to know there’s help out there if needed. I liked the “catch of the day” reference.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:41:43 +0000

Gary

You REALLY helped me! I paid a membership fee to that other club that helps and they couldn’t find anything.

You helped book my Mother a First to BKK on SQ, TG, and OZ all in F!

Thanks so much

I’d gladly pay again!

Kevin

By: GrantParish

GrantParish — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:49:01 +0000

I, too, have helped many people in my field without so much as a thank you. Not to stereotype but it seems that younger people like those I have helped find jobs out of college are the worst offenders. I think your solution is a good one – I find myself pulling back and not not being as welling to respond to colleagues.

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:28:50 +0000

I just read your previous entry and am astonished that, after you helped people book stunningly complex trips, the only thing you got was “thx.”

Wow.

Unfortunately, that’s where we are as a society: No manners or appreciation for others.

Let me tell you, I’m going to be booking my first major international trip next year, and was going to bug you about help, and you’d better be damn sure you’ll get more than a “thx” from me. I’m appalled at some people.

A nice bottle of wine, a nice gift card, 10,000 Starwood points, give SOMETHING better than “thx.”

Gleff, you provide a service. Even to perfect strangers like myself. It is appreciated.

By: tivoboy

tivoboy — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:18:00 +0000

First, if I do this for someone and they don’t even say a heart felt THANK YOU, bam, it never happens again – nuff said. I would usually expect a bottle of a nice wine, or a nice restaurant gift card. So, if that has happened before and you’ve continued to do it, you are more of a saint than I already thought.

I like the idea of charging someone for this, we all know how much time, effort and IP it takes. But, I would have a hard time hitting up family, parents in law, good friends, etc. And of course, these people ALWAYS contact me know I can find them the deal.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:27:08 +0000

Gary,

Good for you. You have a fantastic blog & I can personally say the service you offer is second to none. Bravo!

- Mike