In this issue …
» Are you scared yet?
» 7 strange surcharges you could find on your next trip
» Delta masters the art of cut-and-paste customer service
» Even more frightening stories
» Great pumpkin
» How to reach yours truly
» Support this site
This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is 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
FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
Without warning, an eerie noise came from the computer … No, it’s not Halloween. That’s tomorrow night. Still, last week’s travel news had some frightening elements. Enough of them so that it wouldn’t make this week’s theme a stretch. Mary Peters talking the language of the passenger rights movement? Delta trying to make nice with passengers? If that doesn’t send chills down your spine, check out my write-up on surprise fees. We also have some Halloween-themed pictures on the photoblog. Enjoy. If you dare.
Burning question … Are you an experienced traveler? If so, then this week’s question is for you. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from a life spent on the road? I’m pulling together a column with the life experiences and practical tips of veteran travelers, and I’d like to include yours! Please send me a note with your “lesson learned” and tell me how you learned it. 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).
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Help, my points are MIA — Elizabeth Klikas and her family have a dreadful stay at a Doubletree hotel in Miami, and they’re promised a refund of their loyalty points as compensation. But the points never show up in their account, despite repeated calls and e-mails. How does Klikas get Doubletree to keep its word? (From The Troubleshooter)
7 strange surcharges you could find on your next trip — Travelers have been pelted by a barrage of fees, levies, surcharges and extras for years. But just when you were convinced that the travel industry had thought of it all, it comes up with yet another clever way of separating you from your money. Have a look at your card receipt if you don’t believe me. (From MSNBC.com)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten 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!
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
Delta masters the art of cut-and-paste customer service — So does Delta Air Lines allow peripheral computing devices onboard or not? I asked that question in a previous blog posting. Asked Delta. Asked the Transportation Security Adminstration. Asked you, too. And at least one of you put the question to Delta, too. Its answer — or should I say, its non-answer — says something about the airline’s attitude toward customers. (From Elliott Blog)
“After we got back to the room, an uneasy feeling came over us” — Timeshare properties can be a reasonably good investment — or a rip-off. For John Morgan and Jill Stephenson, who recently vacationed in Mexico … well, you probably know where this is going. Let’s just say things didn’t turn out well for them. (From Elliott Blog)
“Today is the day to think about the passengers” — Mary Peters got religion. In remarks made at the controversial JFK airline scheduling meeting in Washington this morning, the Transportation Secretary told airlines, “Enough is enough.” Sort of. (From Elliott Blog)
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FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives
Scared yet? Just wait.
Speechless — I have never been in trouble with the law or experienced any problems with authority in my entire life – until I flew from Orlando to Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Pennsylvania via Cincinnati on Delta Air Lines last month. (From The Troubleshooter)
Myths travel fast — In Las Vegas and New Orleans, a sophisticated crime ring is seducing visitors, drugging them and stealing their kidneys. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, bio-thieves are harvesting a variety of human glands from unsuspecting out-of-towners. And south of the border, they’re snatching travelers’ testicles. I’m not making this up; someone else did. (From The Travel Critic)
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.
POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photoblog
Great pumpkin — Aren and Iden hang out with the Great Pumpkin at SeaWorld. They finished a record second trick-or-treat circuit today. Nice job, gents!
On the dunes — Iden, Erysse and Aren practice for their family Christmas photo on the sand dunes at Amelia Island, Fla.
Liftoff! — This was the view from our driveway as the Shuttle Discovery lifted off from Kennedy Space Center this morning. A gorgeous day to go into space!
Failure to launch — Aren inspects the equipment as his Halloween party. The smoke machine worked (kind of) but it was still spooky.
TALKBACK | How to sound off about this site
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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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