In this issue …
» Maybe children shouldn’t fly?
» Revenge of the ticket agents: 4 secret ways airline employees even the score
» TSA: Toys could threaten flight safety
» Hell on wheels
» Curiosity
» How to reach yours truly
» Support this site
» How to change your subscription
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
Maybe children shouldn’t fly? First they take away their priority boarding. Then they confiscate their sippy cups, and this week, their toys. Can it get any worse? Perhaps. (Some of you apparently think it should — one of the most popular stories on my site is about banning kids from planes.) I don’t know if all of this necessarily means kids are any less welcome on board than they were before this week. But it’s certainly not getting any easier for them. Read all the details in the latest issue of Elliott’s E-Mail.
Burning question …Have you experienced any new car rental scams? If you’ve rented a car recently, maybe you’ve been caught off guard by a new fee or surcharge? If you work for a car rental company, have you noticed any negative reaction to a new (but completely justified) fee? Tell me about it. Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
A ticket fiasco in Frankfurt — As Frances Carter boards a flight from Frankfurt to Philadelphia, a gate agent stops her and tells her the ticket is “incomplete.” She’s sent on a sprint through a terminal, is forced to pay $125 for a replacement coupon, and almost misses her plane. Her online agent, Travelocity, says the fee was unnecessary, and promises a refund. But many months and phone calls later, she has received nothing. What should she do? (From The Troubleshooter)
Revenge of the ticket agents: 4 secret ways airline employees even the score — Be nice to your ticket agent. Otherwise you could end up like Barbara Arbani. Arbani is a frequent flier who runs a bed and breakfast in New Hope, Pa., and she’s a self-described “innocuous-looking grandmother.” But that’s not how a US Airways ticket agent in Philadelphia apparently saw her. (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
TSA: Toys could threaten flight safety — If you’re flying somewhere with the family, you might want to ask junior to pack his remote-controlled car in your check-in luggage. The Transportation Security Administration believes radio-controlled toys could threaten the safety of your flight, according to a press release issued this morning. (From Elliott Blog)
Today’s surprise change in DOT complaint policy could let airlines off the hook — The Transportation Department’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division is supposed to look out for the interests of the traveling public. But a new policy that is quietly being implemented this morning may give the airlines a big break by dramatically reducing the number of complaints reported by the government agency. (From Elliott Blog)
Why do planes fly with empty seats in business class? — Edwin Bittner is a platinum-level frequent flier on Continental Airlines, which gives him access to elite check-in lines, preferred seat assignments and special mileage bonuses. But the one thing he can’t seem to get these days is an upgrade to business class — even when there are available seats. (From Elliott Blog)
Delayed three days, Delta offers passenger ‘absurd’ compensation — Delta is one of only a few airlines that is trying to shed its image of a couldn’t-care-less legacy carrier. But from time to time, it reminds us of the old Delta, which couldn’t care less about its customers. This usually happens when it doesn’t bother to carefully review a passenger grievance. How else to explain its recent attempt to placate a passenger delayed three days at New York’s LaGuardia Airport with a $100 voucher? (From Elliott Blog)
Think Southwest’s new boarding policy sucks? Try Ryanair — Reaction to Southwest Airlines’ new boarding policy that goes into effect next week has been surprisingly positive. Sure, a few parents have grumbled that they won’t get priority boarding anymore, but most of them have taken a “wait-and-see” approach to the rule change. And so did I — until I got a note from Craig Puller, who recently flew from London to Stockholm on Ryanair with his wife and two young children. After hearing his story, I became convinced that Southwest’s new policy could spell disaster for families flying with young children. (From Elliott Blog)
What’s the deal with those silly multi-stop flights? — If you’ve ever spent time online looking for a cheap airfare, you might have stumbled across something that looks a lot like a bait-and-switch. It’s an inexpensive fare all right, but when you click on the itinerary, you find out that there are three stops and that it would be faster to drive. What a scam, you think. How could they even offer that kind of routing? (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
Car rental scams It’s hell on wheels.
Are car rental companies double dipping on damage claims? — One of the most common complaints I get from car rental customers is that they’re being charged for damages that they weren’t responsible for. They wonder if the companies are double-dipping — charging multiple customers for the same repair — as at least one franchisee has admitted to doing. But proving that kind of behavior is difficult. (From Elliott Blog)
Anyone else experienced the gas gauge scam? — Car rental companies are among the most inventive in the travel industry when it comes to fees and surcharges designed to line their pockets. But just when you thought you had heard it all, along comes a new scam. (From Elliott Blog)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by the Alaska Travelgram, which gives you the inside scoop on Alaska, with information on activities, accommodations, hot air fare deals and secret insider tips — from the folks who live there. Subscribe here. It’s free.
POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photoblog
Jump! — Aren catches a little air before safely landing in his mother’s arms.
Curiosity — Pollux is mesmerized by the clicking camera. Here kitty, kitty. Be a tiger!
Shotgun! — Aren rides shotgun on the Disneyworld monorail. At this height there are no swarms of lovebugs — only the occasional dragonfly.
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.
» Call me. My direct phone number is (407) 699-9529.
» Send me an instant message on Gmail.
» Shoot me a note or chat by video on AIM.
» Skype me. My username is christopherjelliott.
» Find me on MySpace.
» Link to me on LinkedIn.
» Catch me on Facebook.
» See me on Flickr.
» 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.
BECOME AN UNDERWRITER | How to support Elliott
This site relies on support from travelers like you. If you care about journalism that’s uncompromising, cutting-edge and consumer-focused, then please consider becoming an underwriter. Here are the details.
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.
Elliott is consumer advocate 
I'm on Facebook: Please "like" 
WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? If you're having trouble with a travel business - any business - and you've reached a dead end, maybe I can help. Send me an