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In this issue …
• Undecided traveler? 5 questions to ask before voting
• Escape from checked bag fees: 3 tips
• Study finds travel bidding sites can be a traps
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
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FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
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SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Insurance is extra on this “hot” Mexican car — Tom Gainor pays for a rental car through Hotwire.com, but when he gets to the car rental counter in Mexico, an agent strong-arms him into buying insurance that more than doubles the cost of the car. Neither Hotwire, nor the rental company seems to care. Is there any way of getting his money back? (From The Troubleshooter)
Undecided traveler? 5 questions to ask before voting — Tired of bumping and overbooking? Peeved at long airport waits? Worried about the future of air-traffic control? Then here’s who to vote for on Election Day. (From MSNBC.com)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Skooba Design, 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.
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
Escape from checked bag fees: 3 tips — Airlines have started charging $15 for your first checked bag. Here are three clever ways to avoid this extra surcharge for your luggage. (From Elliott Blog)
Are airlines redefining “year” so they can pocket your money? — What’s a year? If you said 365 days, you obviously don’t work for an airline. Air carriers apparently have another definition, as many passengers learn when they decide to recycle their ticket credit for another flight. (From Elliott Blog)
Gaylord National offers full refund for “less than flawless” experience — Here’s a bit of good news on what is likely to be another Black Friday: Customer service isn’t a lost art in the travel industry. At least not at one hotel. (From Elliott Blog)
My travel agent is AWOL — is my cruise sunk? — Susan Ervin and Geraldo Flores were supposed to fly to Rome today to set sail on a two-week Mediterranean cruise aboard the Azamara Quest. But then their travel agent went missing, leaving the fate of their floating vacation in doubt. (From Elliott Blog)
The latest car rental scam? Oops, I flooded the engine — Just when you thought you’d seen every car rental scam in the book — and if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you probably do — along comes another clever way of separating drivers from their money. Call this one the flooded engine rip-off. (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.
ON TRIPSO | Blog postings from the last honest travel site
Study finds travel bidding sites can be a traps — An informal survey of travel auction Web sites by Australia’s Sun-Herald has found the sites yield dramatically varied results, including excellent bargains, mediocre deals — and a few nasty traps. (From Tripso)
Memo to airlines: stop whining about “high” fuel prices — The airline industry continues to whine about the high cost of fuel. Too bad no one is listening. Here’s why. (From Tripso)
As oil prices plunge, airlines continue to lie about fees — When I started my career on Wall Street back in 1992, one of the first things I learned is that even dead cats bounce. In other words, ailing companies sometimes twitch as they are breathing their last, leaving you with the impression they’re still alive. But is this a bounce … or a bottom? (From Tripso)
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TALKBACK | How to sound off about this site
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