In this issue …
» It’s time to do something.
» 8 secrets that could save you a bundle
» Priceline eliminates airline ticket booking fees
» Just do it.
» Ready to go into space?
» How to reach yours truly
» Support this site
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
It’s time to do something. Last week, I asked a simple question on my blog: Do we need to form a travelers alliance to lobby for the interests of passengers in Washington? Many of you said “yes.” This week’s stories make it clear that there’s no time like the present. No one is effectively representing the interests of all travelers in DC. I can’t do it alone. Are you with me?
Thanks for the great posts! The October winners of the Skoobadesign luggage are in! Joe Farrell, Timothy O’Neil-Dunne and Ann Smith … come on down! You’re our top posters for the month. And remember, there’s still plenty more where that came from … so keep those letters coming.
Burning question … What are you not thankful for? It’s that time of the year again. Time for every columnist you know to write a boring story about what they’re thankful for, to coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday. Yawn. But this year is different. Here’s my question: When it comes to travel, what are you not grateful for? Don’t hold back. Remember, the best story gets cool Skooba luggage. (The first round of winners will be announced next week.) Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).
Check the site now for holiday buying tips. By the time this newsletter lands in your “in” box, you need to check out the blog — I’m posting a list of traveler gift ideas, which will contain coupon codes and great recommendations. No time like the present … to start your holiday shopping.
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
A car rental tax surprise — The agreement he signs with his car rental company says there’s a $5.49 state tax, but when Michael Norton returns his vehicle to Hertz, the fee is twice what he expects. He complains to the company — to no avail. Does he have to pay this surprise car rental tax? (From The Troubleshooter)
8 secrets that could save you a bundle — What if I told you a secret that could cut the cost of your next plane ticket in half? Or get you upgraded into a better room or car, pay less for your restaurant meal, even help you zip through the security line? Too good to be true, you say? Nope. (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
Priceline eliminates airline ticket booking fees — Now it gets interesting. Priceline is expected to announce this afternoon that it will “permanently eliminate” airline ticket booking fees on all published domestic and international fares. The online agency temporarily stopped charging the fees this summer. “This means that, in most cases, priceline.com customers will pay less for their tickets than they would at other major full-service online travel reservation services, including Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz,” said Jeffery Boyd, Priceline’s chief executive, in a prepared statement. (From Elliott Blog)
Good thing this NASA airline safety report didn’t go to the shredder — Idle hands are the Devil’s playground. While monitoring NASA’s site for the controversial air travel safety study, I couldn’t help but notice another survey that suggests the real safety hazard isn’t airlines, but airline passengers. (From Elliott Blog)
Sucked into the flight voucher vortex: one survivor’s story — It takes just a few seconds for an airline to suck the money from your credit card account. But when it comes to a refund, air carriers are considerably slower, and they almost always prefer to issue vouchers. With good reason. Airline funny money comes with all kinds of terms and conditions that often make it impossible to use — meaning that in the end, the company gets to keep your cash. If you think that’s an overly negative characterization of the airline industry’s business practice, let me introduce you to Becky Granger. (From Elliott Blog)
Travelocity poll: 63 percent of air travelers would avoid flying — if they could — With the busy holiday travel season about to begin, Travelocity has some unhappy news for airline passengers. In a poll that’s expected to be released early next week, the online agency reveals that nearly two-thirds of air travelers who have encountered rude service on a flight would “avoid using the airline altogether if they have a comparable choice elsewhere.” The study also identifies a deep divide between what passengers believe is an “excessive” amount of wait time on the tarmac versus what airline policies provide. (From Elliott Blog)
Skybus secret: credit card dispute is shortcut to a refund — For most airline problems, a credit card dispute is a last resort — a step passengers take just before dragging the carrier to small-claims court. But Skybus isn’t like most airlines, so when Chuck Pappas had a problem with a booking, he didn’t hesitate to enlist the help of his charge card. What happens next came as a surprise to me. (From Elliott Blog)
Is the the time right for a travelers alliance? — I used to get the letter once a month, maybe twice. The one telling me how airline passengers, hotel guests and car renters really felt. The one that told me what needed to be done about it. What I needed to do about it. But then I started getting the letter a couple of times a week. And people started calling. The latest note arrived just yesterday. (From Elliott Blog)
What the hell? A passenger perspective on airline earnings — Unless you’re a day trader or an industry insider, you probably don’t pay much attention to the airlines’ quarterly earnings reports. But if you did, you’d notice that this quarterly crop of earnings reports is terrific, even though it coincided with one of the worst quarters for customer service in the history of the airline business. Just for kicks, I decided to compare the latest government report card with the major airlines’ financial performance. Here are the worst performers by category. (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
Just do it. A look at previous stories on activism.
So you want a revolution? — I read your last column with interest, particularly your lines: “The problem is that they aren’t doing it together, with a single voice. Until they do so, I think the carriers will continue to get away with what they’re doing.” Well, if you want to generate traffic to your site and be a hero, why don’t you take the lead and be the flash point? (From The Troubleshooter)
The truth about the passenger bill of rights — Ever since the Carter administration deregulated the U.S. airline industry, there’s been a push to reregulate the nation’s carriers. All have failed — until now. (From Elliott Blog)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also 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.
POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photoblog
Ready to go into space? — Aren and Iden pretend to be astronauts at KSC’s rocket garden. They were here for the World Space Expo.
John Glenn — The first American to orbit the earth spoke at the World Space Expo at Kennedy Space Center. This was a lucky shot of the Senator.
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:
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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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