Bare fares aren’t the ticket
United is considering stripping away services that passengers now take for granted. Travel commentator Christopher Elliott says charging people extra to check their bags will only leave the airline exposed.
Undoing acts of God
If you think planning a business trip is stressful, try organizing one for thousands of people. At once.
I’m elite, you’re not
An elite-level frequent flier card used to be a passport to a better flying experience, offering access to special waiting areas, preferred seating and priority first-class upgrades. But lately, frequent flier status has come to represent something else to many business travelers: a de facto insurance policy against more declines in customer service.
Total price? Not even close
George Letts is quoted a price of 242 pounds for a rental car in London, but when he arrives at the car rental counter, the rate is suddenly 152 pounds higher. What’s with the funny math? And who is responsible, his travel agent or the car rental company?
No paper, no go
When Paige Gibson’s flight to Rome is rescheduled, her airline neglects to send her a paper ticket for one leg of the journey. As a result, she has to pay an additional $566 to fly. Now the carrier is balking at a refund. Will she ever see that money again?
My parting shot
I’m taking a break from blogging and there will be no issue of Elliott’s E-Mail on Dec. 27, because if I try to post something, my family has threatened to shackle me to the Christmas tree and crank up “Alvin & The Chipmunks - A Very Merry Chipmunk” on the stereo.
Dreaming of Italy
I haven’t been to Italy in years. Decades, actually. But there’s something about Kathy’s McCabe’s newsletter, appropriately called Dream of Italy, that compels me to read every issue cover to cover.
The Judge Hatchett show
I try to keep a low profile when I travel. Being recognized as a judge can turn an otherwise quiet flight into something resembling a chaotic TV courtroom.
Unity
Whenever an A-list consumer travel writer like James Gilden, Wendy Perrin or Gary Stoller scores a terrific story, my reaction is: Good for you! And good for your readers!
Bare fares? Been there
Word that United Airlines is mulling a plan to price its tickets a-la-carte — called “Bare Fares” — probably comes as no surprise to frequent air travelers. After all, United was among the airlines that tried to persuade the Department of Transportation to allow it to quote an incomplete fare (minus certain expenses, such as insurance) earlier this year, a request that was denied.
Bad night, useless vouchers
It sounds like a real bargain: In exchange for giving up his seat on a US Airways flight, James Alver is offered a free night in a hotel and a voucher for a ticket from Tampa to Vancouver. Turns out the hotel is on the wrong side of the tracks. And when Alver tries to use the vouchers, he’s in for an even bigger surprise.
What to do about the mergers
When airlines merge, there are no winners. Sure, a few senior executives walk away from a combined carrier with a big bonus check. Ditto for the advisers and lawyers who help close the deal. But at ground level, we all lose.
Sustainable? No thanks
Airport urinals offend me. When I walk out of the bathroom, and every one of them is flushing in concert — not just the one I’m using — I think about all the wasted water. And I wonder how much the airport could save by adjusting the sensors. How much more could be saved if they switched to waterless urinals?
Guilty!
The trial that no one outside of Montana seems to know about, or care about, wrapped up yesterday. In a second, I’ll tell you why you should be concerned about the outcome.
CDC recalls sick ship
The Cruise Lines International Association, the cruise industry trade association, insists that you’re less likely to get ill from norovirus on board a cruise ship than in everyday life. Apparently, the Centers for Disease control disagrees — at least when it comes to Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas.