In this issue …
» Happenin’ holiday gifts for travelers
» 12 lessons learned from a life on the road
» Skybus contacts revealed: emails, phone numbers for five top execs
» Paying extra for fuel
» Happy Birthday, E!
» 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
When I opened my bill, I was shocked to find … No one likes surprises on their bill. But if you cruise or fly, you’re in for more than your fair share of “oh nos” in the next few days. This week’s newsletter details some of those shockers, including those mysterious fuel surcharges. Also, if you’re stressed out about what to buy for the holidays, I’ve got a few great luggage gift ideas for you. Plus, read words of wisdom from our traveling veterans. Find it in this week’s issue.
Comments are working. Last week, there were a few problems with posting comments to the blog. They’ve been fixed — so feel free to resume your commenting!
Burning question … When do you follow the crowd? Travel columnists are constantly telling their readers to not follow the crowd. Be a contrarian, they say. You’ll have a better trip. But when is that not true? When should you follow the crowd — stand in the line with everyone else, buy the same ticket, take the same road? When is in “in”? Remember, the best story gets cool Skooba luggage. (More winners will be announced at the end of this month.) Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).
Bonus question. ABC’s 20/20 is working on a story about traveling and hotels and online sites that post reviews. It is looking for individuals who have been approached by a hotel to write a positive review of their experience in exchange for a discount or payment or some other form of compensation. Please contact Jeff Diamond at Jeffrey.L.Diamond@abc.com.
Here’s a little secret. You can get all of the latest travel news and commentary first by connecting with me on Facebook. I post every new story, blog posting and newsletter to Facebook — often hours before it lands in your “in” box.
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Suddenly traveling solo — His mother is scheduled to fly to Hawaii with his aunt and cousin, where they plan to board a cruise. But hours before they leave, Lawrence Dean Parrish finds out that the flight schedules have been changed. Now his mother, who is 74 and suffers from glaucoma, is flying solo and his aunt and cousin are on another flight. Neither the travel agency nor the cruise line will help. Is the vacation sunk? (From The Troubleshooter)
12 lessons learned from a life on the road — Rule No. 1: Travel is no fun. Really. If you think it’s all about smiling stewardesses attending to your every whim, friendly hotels offering fawning service, and romantic sunsets on the beach, it’s time for a reality check. (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
Skybus contacts revealed: emails, phone numbers for five top execs — If Skybus, the no-frills, surcharge-happy startup airline bothered responding to its customers with anything other than a boilerplate e-mail message, I wouldn’t do this. If I didn’t get the number of complaints that I do about Skybus, I wouldn’t do this. If it told the truth about its phones, I wouldn’t do this. But here are the facts: there is considerable evidence that Skybus is not reading customer e-mails. My “in” box is filled with Skybus complaints. And there is overwhelming evidence that it does have phones, despite its insistence to the contrary. (From Elliott Blog)
St. Lucia spat: passenger wins case against US Airways — If all else fails in a dispute with an air carrier, you can always take your complaint to small claims court — and win. That’s more than theoretical advice dispensed by this travel columnist. It really works, as Linda Sesa recently learned after having a difference of opinion with US Airways. Sesa, a nurse practitioner from Yardley, Pa., had some trouble when she tried to board a flight from St. Lucia to Charlotte. A problem that US Airways didn’t think was much of a problem. Until a court of law got involved. (From Elliott Blog)
3 secrets for fighting the latest round of fuel surcharges — Let’s get one thing straight: the latest round of fuel surcharges on cruises and airline tickets have about as much to do with higher fuel prices as hotel “energy” surcharges in 2001 had with higher electricity costs — which is to say, not much at all. No, these are opportunistic fees tacked on to your bill because there’s a perception that your cruise line or airline has to pay more to keep the planes and boats running. And because the fees are bogus, they can be fought. (From Elliott Blog)
“Spirit Airlines is customer service oriented” — The blogosphere has beaten up on Spirit Airlines in the recent past, thanks in part to its well-documented service deficiencies and in part to customer-hostile comments made by its chief executive, Ben Baldanza. But are things really that bad? I’ve been working with the carrier during the last few weeks to resolve several customer-service problems, and I think the answer may be: no, not really. (From Elliott Blog)
5 reasons $100-a-barrel oil would be good for travelers — With oil prices approaching $100 a barrel, air travelers — and for that matter all travelers — will be hearing a giant sucking sound when they pay for their tickets or fill up their gas tanks. And you know what? That’s actually good. Here are five reasons why high fuel prices are a positive thing for travelers. (From Elliott Blog)
Hot holiday gifts: stick this luggage under the tree — Wondering what to buy for the traveler in your life this holiday season? Here are a few luggage gift ideas that will make their next trip a little easier. I’ve negotiated some attractive discounts on some of the recommended items, so you’ll spend even less on a terrific holiday present. (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
FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives
Paying extra for fuel. More on those pesky little surcharges.
A fuel surcharge for my cruise? — I’m quite upset that American West Steamboat has recently imposed a $40 fuel surcharge on customers who have already made a deposit for a cruise next spring. The company had not reserved the right to do so in any of the documents I received prior to the August letter from the president. In it, he said he – appreciates our understanding – of their need to impose the surcharge, since their costs have escalated. (From The Troubleshooter)
A ‘war concern’ surcharge — A week before our Caribbean cruise on the Royal Olympia’s Voyager, my travel agent faxed me a notice saying that there would be a new $6 per person, per day fuel surcharge relating to “war concerns” and a $3 per person per day security surcharge. I read the fine print on our ticket and it doesn’t refer to any fuel or security surcharges. (From The Troubleshooter)
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!
POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photoblog
Carousel — Despite having the sniffles, Iden enjoys a ride on the carousel at Universal Studios. Show me the Cat in the Hat, baby!
Happy Birthday, E! — Erysse turned one today. Happy birthday, Princess!
TALKBACK | How to sound off about this site
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