April 18, 2007

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
Travel tips, news and information
April 18, 2007

My last trip! Call it “my last trip” syndrome. That’s where your last flight, hotel stay or cruise went so badly that you swore to yourself, “That’s my last trip!” It’s happening more and more these days. But don’t get mad about it. Get even. Support the newsletter that they wish would just go away — the one that isn’t afraid to tell the whole, unvarnished truth about travel. You know who “they” are. They’re the ones responsible for your last trip. Don’t let ‘em get away with it. Here are details on how to support this site during our fundraiser, which officially begins this week.

» Read this week’s newsletter online.

This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is underwritten by Cheapflights.com, which, in association with Institute for Aeronautic Wellness, has created a series of training videos to help decent travelers everywhere learn to endure difficult in-flight situations, and difficult fellow travelers. Find out more at Instituteforaeronauticwellness.com

FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel

Burning question … Tell me about your last trip — Are you suffering from “my last trip” syndrome? Let’s hear about it. How did you get it? What happened? Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

Please don’t click here. If you do, you’ll find out how to keep this site running by becoming an underwriter. And let’s just say there are people out there who hope you don’t do it. Don’t let them get their way. Here are five compelling reasons to support this site.

About those photos … I realize that many of you subscribe to this newsletter because of Postcards, my personal photo blog. Even though it’s in the middle of a redesign, I wanted to let all of you know that it’s still being updated. Details are at the end of this newsletter. Thanks for your patience.

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

A $50 upgrade fee — The room rate for a discount hotel near Disneyland is $60 a night. The “upgrade” fee for accommodations with two queen-size beds: $50 a night. Something doesn’t seem right about that to Michael McKernan. But getting Priceline to help him is proving impossible, despite assurances from its executive office. What should he do? (From The Troubleshooter)

Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by the Alaska Travelgram, which gives you the inside scoop on Alaska, with information on activities, accommodations, hot air fare deals and secret insider tips — from the folks who live there. Subscribe here. It’s free.

BLOGGED | New posts on Ellipses

Ignored: Tripsync ends booking fees — Forget for a moment that any travel booking tool that integrates with Microsoft Outlook is pretty cool. Here’s the real question: What happens when the company that offers this innovative application decides to drop all booking fees? If you said everyone ignores it, you’re right. (From Ellipses)

Flat tire rule goes flat — For years, airlines have had an unofficial policy for passengers who couldn’t make it to the airport because of circumstances beyond their control. The so-called “flat tire” rule allowed them to be booked on the next available flight at no extra charge. It looks as if the air has been taken out of that rule. (From Ellipses)

Win a free vacation — To kick off the summer travel season — and my new show, “What You Get For The Money: Vacations” — Fine Living TV Network is giving away a vacation a day for a whole month. Sound too good to be true? Yes, but it is true.(From Ellipses)

Kate update — Many of you have asked me how Kate Hanni’s fight for a Passengers Bill of Rights is going. As you know, Kate was one of several people who testified in a Senate hearing yesterday, and the mainstream media coverage of her cause was pretty positive. (From Ellipses)

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

Service snafus. Here are a few examples of bad customer service from the archives. Read on … and be glad it hasn’t happened to you.

Bad service? Work around it — If you’re looking for textbook examples of terrible customer service, just talk to a few travelers. (From Power Trip)

Miles with a smile — What would make frequent fliers ditch their preferred airline, miles and all? Broken planes? Union trouble? A spotty safety record? Try shoddy service. (From The Travel Critic)

POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photo blog

Praying for a good hunt — It’s Easter, and you know what that means? Time to pray for a good hunt. May our baskets overflow with chocolate eggs!

Success! — The Easter Bunny has been good to me this year. Maybe a little too good. At the rate I’m finding these eggs, my sugar high will last until Memorial Day.

Ready for the games — We’re at the big egg hunt in the park. Competing with hundreds of other kids. The stakes are high. May the best egg hunter win.

Where’s my eggs go? — Somebody keeps taking my eggs. I wonder who it could be?

Nyaa! — Hey, you making fun of me? Well you better watch it … or I’m going to stick my tongue out. It’s my newest trick.

Look what I caught — We’re chasing a pirate treasure at the Gaylord Palms this weekend. Look at this fish I caught. Alright, maybe I didn’t catch it by myself, but I’m also not the first guy to tell a fish story.

I’ve got a smile for you — Yeah, I’m looking at you.

TALKBACK | How to sound off about this site

Read something you disagree with? Got a story idea or a gripe? Here’s how to be heard:

» Send me an e-mail.

» Call me. My direct phone number is (407) 699-9529.

» Send me an instant message on Gmail.

» Shoot me a note or chat by video on AIM.

» Find me on MySpace.

» Link to me on LinkedIn.

» Post a response below an article, in the “Comment on this article” field.

» Contact me with this handy feedback form.

Please note: Unless you specify otherwise, all e-mails, letters and phone conversations are considered “on the record.” That means your name could be used in a future article.

BECOME AN UNDERWRITER | How to support Elliott

This site relies on support from travelers like you. If you care about journalism that’s uncompromising, cutting-edge and consumer-focused, then please consider becoming an underwriter. Here are the details.

SUBSCRIPTIONS | Manage your e-mail delivery preferences

You can manage your newsletter subscription here. You can also sign up for this newsletter’s RSS feed. Having technical trouble? Please send a note describing your problem we’ll do our best to help.

Here’s how to unsubscribe from this newsletter. (Sorry to see you go!)

Elliott’s E-Mail is published 50 times a year by Christopher Elliott. (c) 2007 Christopher Elliott.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

Be the first to comment