April 25, 2007

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
Travel tips, news and information
April 25, 2007

The Web site ate my trip! Don’t you just love the Internet? A Web site can make your next trip so much easier to plan. Or it can ruin it. This week, we have several articles and blog entries about bad Web sites and the things they do to our vacations. Plus, there’s more on how to fight “vacation inflation” and other unexpected surcharges.

» Read this week’s newsletter online.

This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is underwritten by Cheapflights.com, which lets you search and compare flights to find the lowest-priced airfare for your next trip. Get the details at Cheapflights.com.

FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel

Burning question … Has a Web site destroyed your vacation? — Did a Web site ruin your last trip? What happened? Was it your mistake, or your computer, or did something go wrong with the site? Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

Last chance to support this site! It’s the last week of our fundraiser, so if you haven’t made a donation to the cause, please consider doing so today. Become an underwriter and you’ll not only help keep this free newsletter running — you’ll also help make the travel industry a better place. Need more reasons? Here are five of ‘em.

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

Missed flight, maximum fee — Dwight Wolcczak and his wife miss their MAXJet Airways flight from New York to London. Catching the next plane costs them an additional $2,304 each, after the change fees and fare differentials are totaled up. Isn’t that too much? Or did the airline make a mistake? (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

Where’s my vacation, Mr. Bernanke? — Worries about inflation are tugging at the U.S. economy again, as consumers pay more for everything from gas to groceries. But that’s not the only place where our purchasing power is declining. As millions of Americans begin planning their summer vacations, they’re discovering that their dollar isn’t taking them as far as it used to. Call it vacation inflation. (From Ellipses)

Springing the opt-out trap — Pay close attention to your next online reservation before clicking on the “book” button. You might be buying more than an airline ticket or hotel room. That’s what happened to reader Jody Collins when she recently bought tickets from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to New York on the Spirit Airlines Web site. (From Ellipses)

Pirates invade Orlando — Be warned, mateys. The largest convention hotel in Florida is being taken over by pirates on Memorial Day weekend. The Gaylord Palms is hosting its first Pirates Treasure Hunt challenge, and we got to experience a “dry run” a few days ago. (From Ellipses)

Best Western’s worst Web site — I’m a fan of Best Western’s hotels. They’re unpretentious, reasonably priced and comfortable. But its Web site is dreadful, according to the latest Online Customer Respect Study which will be released next week by the Customer Respect Group, an international research and consulting firm. (From Ellipses)

Last Trip Syndrome — Did your last flight, hotel stay or cruise go so badly that you swore to yourself, “That’s my last trip”? If you did, you’re suffering from something I call Last Trip Syndrome — and you aren’t alone. (From Ellipses)

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

Web sites and surcharges. A match made in heaven?

A summer of surcharges — After Brad Power clicked the “buy” button on the American Airlines Web site recently, the price of his airline ticket took off. The carrier suddenly wanted $50 more for his flight. Funny airline math? No. (From Commentary)

One trip, two tickets, no refund — I purchased a round-trip ticket from Sacramento, Calif., to Lincoln, Neb., on United Airlines’ Web site. Before I confirmed and paid for the ticket, I reviewed my transaction and realized I had entered the wrong month for my return. I clicked the “back” button, corrected the information, and then paid for the ticket. When my credit card statement came, I found that United had charged me for two trips on the same day and same flight. (From The Troubleshooter)

POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photo blog

Sliiiiide! — A free bouncehouse is a terrible thing to waste. Especially one with a big slide!

But I want one. Please? — Come on, Dad. It’s got horses on it. And it says “Ferrari” on the back. How expensive can it be?

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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.

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