Read this week’s issue online or subscribe to the RSS feed.
In this issue …
• So you want revenge?
• A black mark against the black card? Here’s the sad saga of a Centurion slip-up
• Tips to ensure the TSA doesn’t swipe your stuff
• A “walking” scam: how hotels profit from overbooking
• Hotel horror stories
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
Support this site and get a copy of The Penny Pincher’s Passport to Luxury Travel. In addition to our Skoobadesign luggage giveaway, we’re offering five copies of Joel Widzer’s new book, the latest edition of The Penny Pincher’s Passport to Luxury Travel, to new underwriters this week. It’s a terrific book that shows you how to get treated like royalty when you’re on the road. (Ahh, couldn’t we all use a little of that?) Winners will be picked at random. Here’s how to become an underwriter.
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
So you want revenge? At a time when travelers are disenfranchised like never before, becoming an underwriter of Elliott’s E-Mail is a powerful statement — an act of civil disobedience, if you will. The travel industry wants nothing more than to silence this voice for customer rights. So as you ponder the latest barrage of fees we’ll have to pay this week, why not do something about it? Support Elliott’s E-Mail. Here are the details.
Thank you! My sincere thanks to underwriters Marjorie Purnell, Joan Schmelzle and Stephanus Surjaputra. You’ve won the Shuttle laptop backpacks or Skreener courier-style laptop bags. Please e-mail me with your bag and color choice. We’re giving away three more this week, so there’s still time to become an underwriter and score lots of booty.
Burning question … Do you fly “standby”? It used to be a great way to save money. But now, it’s a one-way ticket to paying a walk-up fare. Or is it? What’s your experience been? Send me a note and please don’t forget to include your full name, city and occupation.
Are you getting duplicate e-mails? If you’re getting duplicate copies of Elliott’s E-Mail, I need your help. Please forward the copies to our support e-mail address. We’ve tried to upgrade our e-mail program in the hopes that it would fix the problem, but we’re still getting reports of some duplicates going out. I’m sorry about that.
Join TalkingTravelers.com. There’s a new site out there called TalkingTravelers.com. It’s a place where travelers can go to talk about their last trip and interact with other like-minded travelers. Come on by.
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by G1G.com, the household name in global travel protection. G1G Insurance Services has nearly 20 years of experience in providing insurance products. Find a policy now.
BLAZIN’ HOT BLOG POST | What’s burning up my bandwidth this week?
A black mark against the black card? Here’s the sad saga of a Centurion slip-up — The American Express “black” card is legendary among upscale travelers. In order to qualify for the invitation-only card, you have to spend at least $250,000, plus pay $2,500 in annual fees. In exchange, you expect nothing but the best customer service. But that’s not always what you get. (From Elliott Blog) JOIN THE DISCUSSION — leave your comment!
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by skoobadesign.com, designers of top-rated, award-winning cases and accessories for laptops and other tech/travel gear. Named “best buy” by a major independent consumer magazine, as well as leading technology, travel and general interest publications. Elliot’s E-Mail Subscribers get 20 percent off, plus free shipping (UPS Ground/48 States) on all Skooba Design orders of $50 or more. Just enter coupon code ELLIOTT20 at checkout. Some restrictions apply. Here are the details.
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Where are my airline vouchers? — After Myron Sigal’s wife is injured on a Mediterranean cruise, the Sigals can’t make their return flight from Venice to Philadelphia. US Airways promises them a voucher for the unused portion, but months later, there’s no sign of it. Is the money lost? (From The Troubleshooter)
Tips to ensure the TSA doesn’t swipe your stuff — Taking Something Always. That’s what TSA means to airline passengers like Edward Fleiss, a sales manager from Huntington, N.Y. When screeners inspected his wife’s carry-on bag at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport recently, he claims her designer eyeglasses were swiped. (From MSNBC.com)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by FirstClassFlyer.com, the only tool you need to fly first class for the price of coach — or close to it. Looking for free and purchased upgrades, two-for-ones and a fast-track to elite status strategies? Look no further than FirstClassFlyer.com
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
A “walking” scam: how hotels profit from overbooking — Are high hotel occupancy rates offering hotels yet another opportunity to secretly profit from you? Consider the practice of “walking” — transferring a guest to another property when the inn is full. Most reputable resorts “walk” their customers to a comparable hotel. But what if the second place costs less than the first, and the property simply pockets the rate difference?(From Elliott Blog)
The top 8 travel blogs — and why you should care — Who’s got the biggest travel blog? It’s hard to tell — really hard, given the vagaries and imperfections of the blog ranking tools. But with a little research, you can generate a somewhat reliable list. (From Elliott Blog)
Travel trend: adding yourself to the ‘no fly’ list — Give up air travel altogether? You’ve probably heard whispers about it in the aftermath of cancellation-gate. And following United Airlines’ announcement yesterday that it would bump its change fee to $150 from $100 and add Saturday-night stay requirements to many of its flights, who can blame travelers for wanting to ground themselves? (From Elliott Blog)
Aren and Iden visit Disney’s Toy Story ride — The Elliott boys tried to visit the Toy Story ride at Disney Studios today. Here’s what happened. (From Elliott Blog)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Priceline.com, the leading travel service for value-conscious leisure travelers. With both Name Your Own Price and everyday fixed low prices, no other travel service gives more ways to save on their airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises. No one does deals like Priceline.com!
FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives
Hotel horror stories. Reservations gone wrong.
A lost reservation in the rainforest — I’m having a problem getting a simple matter cleared up with Hotels.com. I booked a room at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort in Panama for two nights and received a confirmation number by e-mail. (From The Troubleshooter)
Best rate? No guarantee — was looking for a room rate on a one-night stay at the Niagara Falls Knights Inn in Ontario, Canada. I went to the hotel Web site and saw a button with a “manager’s special” with a good price, so I booked the room. (From The Troubleshooter)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Carrentals.co.uk, which provides the easiest and quickest way to search for car hire on the web. Our car rental search engine will compare the market in seconds and provide you with prices from up to 40 car hire suppliers. Cheap car hire is one search away!
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. I’m at elliottdotorg on every major e-mail provider — AOL, Gmail, Hotmail and Yahoo. I’m also reachable at the same e-mail address I’ve always had, of course.
• 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.
• Skype me. My username is christopherjelliott.
• Find me on MySpace.
• Link to me on LinkedIn.
• Catch me on Facebook.
• See me on Flickr.
• Find out what I’m doing now on Twitter.
• 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
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