Read this week’s issue online or subscribe to the RSS feed.
In this issue …
• Travelers get screwed
• Do travelers expect too much? Yes, but …
• Four secrets for finding the right travel pro
• Time to say “aloha” to the resort fee capital of the world?
• Resort fees make a comeback
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is underwritten by skoobadesign.com, designers and makers of some of the most acclaimed, innovative carrying cases and travel accessories for laptop computers and other tech gear. Skooba Design’s products have been named “best buy” by major independent consumer magazines, 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 enter ELLIOTT20 at checkout. Some restrictions apply. Here are the details.
FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
Travelers get screwed. I really don’t know how else to put it. Last week, the first passenger bill of rights law in the country was tossed out by an appellate court (more on that in my MSNBC column). The TSA forced a traveler to remove her body piercings — with pliers (check the blog). We also got word on how bad the resort fee epidemic had become in Hawaii. All hope isn’t lost. Travelers win a few too (check out this week’s Troubleshooter for details).
Burning question … too sick to fly? Ever been denied boarding because you were thought to be too sick? Ever canceled a flight because you were sick (maybe you had a communicable disease) but were forced to pay a fee all the same? This week, I want to hear your stories of sickness and travel. Send me a note and please don’t forget to include your full name, city and occupation.
Check out TalkingTravelers.com. Have you heard? 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. Yours truly has a hand in it. Come on by.
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
BLAZIN’ HOT BLOG POST | What’s burning up my bandwidth this week?
Do travelers expect too much? Yes, but … — Here’s a question airlines, car rental agencies and hotels wrestle with every day: Do our customers expect too much from us? After the defeat of New York’s passenger bill of rights law earlier this week, it’s an even more urgent question. Are travelers too demanding? JOIN THE DISCUSSION — leave your comment!
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!
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
One year later, where’s my refund? — Cameron Etezadi and his girlfriend are on their way from Seattle to Casablanca, Morocco, when their flight is delayed in London by weather. British Airways agrees to refund the couple’s money, but one year later, there’s no sign of a check. Is the airline pocketing their fare, or is something else going on? (From The Troubleshooter)
Four secrets for finding the right travel pro — Who needs a travel agent anymore? Fewer of us do, apparently. Just eight years ago, there were 124,030 travel agents in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2006, that number had fallen by about 30 percent, to 87,600 agents. (From MSNBC.com)
First passenger rights law is dead – or is it? — The nation’s first passenger bill of rights law may be dead, but efforts to require airlines to treat travelers with the same dignity as prisoners of war or even household pets are alive and well. (From MSNBC.com)
How to beef up your restaurant business with a newsletter — If you’re looking for an inexpensive, efficient way to promote your restaurant—and let’s face it, who isn’t?—you’ve probably considered an e-mail newsletter. Here’s how to beef yours up. (From Office Live Small Business)
Newsletter tips for restaurants: How to get started — Whipping up a soufflé or preparing a Peking duck may come as second nature to your chef, but the thought of creating an e-mail newsletter from scratch is a task that may confound your staff. Unless, of course, you have a good recipe. (From Office Live Small Business)
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!
ASK THE ARMCHAIR TRAVELER | This week’s videocast
Ask the Armchair Traveler: what if I’m stuck on a plane? — So what exactly are your rights if you’re stuck on a plane that’s parked at the gate? The Armchair Traveler explains. Here’s the YouTube video and here’s the high-res version. (Note: The Armchair Traveler will be on assignment week. He returns April 15.)
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
Time to say “aloha” to the resort fee capital of the world? — As long as we’re saying aloha today — it’s Aloha Airlines’ last day on earth, sadly — we might as well talk about something else Hawaii should say goodbye to: its greedy and ubiquitous resort fees. (From Elliott Blog)
There’s just one or two questions I have about nipple rings … — Longtime readers of this blog know that I have a special interest in body piercings, especially as it relates to travel. One of the first Travel Troubleshooter columns took on the issue of security screening and various kinds of rings. So when airline passenger Mandi Hamlin held a news conference yesterday about her TSA nipple ring trouble, I had a few questions that the otherwise competent reporters in attendance seem to have overlooked. (From Elliott Blog)
Does a hotel have the right to downgrade me in the middle of my stay? — Here at the travel industry’s unofficial complaints department, we count on having a day or two off, Good Friday being one of them. Not this year. Here are three recent stories of compassion-less customer service that arrived in the “in” box on what was supposed to be our “off” day. (From Elliott Blog)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also 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.
FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives
Resort fees. They’re here. And they’re annoying.
Resort fees make a comeback — Hotel resort fees are making a comeback. With the decline in the lodging industry after 9/11, the fees, which cover everything from the use of a pool to housekeeping tips, began to vanish – if not from hotels’ policies, then from guests’ bills. (From The Travel Critic)
Resort fee folly — Tony Landler bids on a Priceline room, and much to his delight, he is “upgraded” to a resort. But his joy turns to anger when he discovers the property charges a $10-a-day “resort fee” and that there is no opting out of it. Or is there? (From The Troubleshooter)
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.
POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photoblog
On top — Erysse marvels at how far she’s climbed up the slide in her back yard. Now that Easter is over, she can concentrate on what she does best … getting into trouble.
I think I see one … — Who can find the most Easter Eggs? Iden thinks he has the edge.
Where are my eggs? — Erysse can’t find any Easter Eggs. Her brothers got ‘em all. No worries, hon. The Easter Bunny won’t forget 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. 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.
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• Skype me. My username is christopherjelliott.
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• 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.
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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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