Elliott’s E-Mail/May 14, 2008
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In this issue …
• The adventure begins
• Renting a car? Beware of the fuel reclamation rip-off
• All aboard! 5 tips for getting on the plane pronto
• Extreme parks: how to survive four Disney resorts in a day
• Disney insider
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is 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!
FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
The adventure begins. Fasten your seatbelts, folks. It’s almost that time of year again. Seems everyone is thinking about summer travel this week — whether it’s silly predictions or summer blockbusters, or maybe just surviving. I’ve got it covered from every angle. Plus, there’s a fun new MSNBC column about boarding a plane and a troubleshooter involving Cognac and a cruise.
Burning question … socked with a single supplement? Have you had to pay a single supplement recently for a cruise or package? Notice any extra fees you weren’t expecting? Send me a note and please don’t forget to include your full name, city and occupation.
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by ExpertFlyer, which empowers the frequent flier like no other site. Get the details here.
BLAZIN’ HOT BLOG POST | What’s burning up my bandwidth this week?
Renting a car? Beware of the fuel reclamation rip-off — With fuel prices near $4 a gallon, car rental companies are turning to a little-known practice called gas reclamation to squeeze every last penny from their vehicles. In the process, they may be squeezing their customers too, according to a car rental insider who has performed degassing services for a major agency. (From Elliott Blog) JOIN THE DISCUSSION — leave your comment!
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!
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Help! Princess confiscated my Cognac — When Jerry Leonard and his wife transfer from their cruise ship to a train, they give Princess their luggage, which includes a bottle of Cognac. The luggage is lost and later found, but the cruise line confiscates the Cognac. Should it replace the bottle - or is he out of luck? (From The Troubleshooter)
All aboard! 5 tips for getting on the plane pronto — Generally speaking, airline boarding procedures are as short on logic as they are long. Here’s how to get on the plane faster. (From MSNBC.com)
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.
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
Slow! Slow! Slow! Slow! Slow! — A slow summer? They predicted that last year and they’re predicting it again this year. They may be right, finally. (From Elliott Blog)
3 things you need to know before suing your travel company — Take your travel company to small claims court? Easier said than done. Before filing your paperwork, here are three things to consider, courtesy of my friends in the legal community. (From Elliott Blog)
EU cracks down on ’serious and persistent’ problems at travel sites while US authorities snooze — The European Union is aggressively pursuing online travel agencies that sell airline tickets under false pretenses. A new report by EU authorities reveals that 1 in 3 Web sites have been written up for “misleading advertising and unfair practices” since last fall. You don’t need me to tell you we have the same problem over here. But where’s our government? (From Elliott Blog)
Extreme parks: how to survive four Disney resorts in a day — Four theme parks. Three kids. Two adults. And one seemingly impossible assignment: to visit every Disney World resort on the same day. (From Elliott Blog)
Travel like Indiana Jones? You’ve gotta be kidding — I’m baffled by Expedia’s latest marketing campaign, a tie-in to the upcoming film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The other day, my friends over at the online travel agency sent me a fedora in a box along with a note that promised I could “Travel like Indiana Jones, starting today.” (From Elliott Blog)
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.
FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives
Disney insider. More on Mickey.
Where’s Mickey? — Next time you’re standing in line for a ride at The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, notice the walls. Check out the sculptures. The landscaping. Look closer. (From Destinations)
Brave New Mickey — Walt Disney World’s newest character is cute, charming - and controversial. (From Elliott Blog)
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
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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