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In this issue …
• How airlines have betrayed us
• Do travel sites use cookies to dupe you into paying more?
• As oil prices plunge, airlines continue to lie about fees
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
This issue of Elliott’s E-mail is underwritten by MagicalMousePlans.com which provides complete travel planning for all Disney vacations – Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Lines and Adventures by Disney. Free Concierge Service. We beat Disney prices! Check us out at MagicalMousePlans.com.
(Editor’s note: please welcome MagicalMousePlans.com as one of our new corporate underwriters. If you’re planning a Disney vacation, why not drop them a line?)
FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
Thanks for spending a few minutes with Elliott’s E-Mail. Every week, I try to inform and enlighten travelers with the content on my blog and in my columns. Got any suggestions? Send me a note.
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SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
A married name, a singular headache — Shaun Francis’ daughter has the wrong name on her airline ticket. It’s her married name, and her passport still has her maiden name. The airline is happy to fix the ticket — for a $400 fee. But is that right? (From The Troubleshooter)
How airlines have betrayed us — All across the airline industry, promises are being broken with greater frequency. In part, it’s because air carriers are making more promises than ever — especially to their valuable elite-level frequent fliers — and in part, it’s because airlines can’t control some of the basic components of their business. (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
Do travel sites use cookies to dupe you into paying more? — That’s the explosive accusation made by some travelers who book their trips online. They pull up a price quote on a travel site, but five minutes later the fare has doubled. Are airlines, car rental companies and hotels using cookies to track their movements and kick out a higher price? (From Elliott Blog)
After agent saves traveler big bucks on a business class ticket, “I’ll never search online again” — Here’s another good reason to use a competent travel agent: When Jay Wendt read one of my columns in the Portland Oregonian that recommended using an agent, he decided to give it a try on a business class ticket for a transpacific flight. He was floored by what he discovered. (From Elliott Blog)
Want an all-inclusive airline ticket price? Then sign this petition now — If you’re angry about deceptive airline ticket prices — and let’s be honest, who isn’t? — here’s some good news. A travel site largely responsible for Europe’s new price transparency rule is taking aim at the U.S., and it needs your help. (From Elliott Blog)
What frustrates you most about travel? Survey says … — … gas prices. By a long shot. At least according to our friends at Access America, who poll travelers every quarter about their travel angst. (From Elliott Blog)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Carrentals.co.uk, which provides the easiest and quickest way to search for car hire on the web. Our car rental search engine will compare the market in seconds and provide you with prices from up to 40 car hire suppliers. Cheap car hire is one search away!
ON TRIPSO | Blog postings from the last honest travel site
As oil prices plunge, airlines continue to lie about fees — Oil prices dipped below $90 a barrel yesterday — roughly the same price as a year ago, before airline charged passengers for everything that wasn’t bolted down on their planes. Energy costs, the stated reason for all of these new fees, are expected to fall further this week. But are the new surcharges here to stay? (From Tripso)
Is the sun about to set on Sun Country? — Sun Country Airlines is in trouble. Its former chairman resigned and was arrested last week. Now it says it might shut down by Dec. 1. In a letter sent to employees, John Fredericksen, the airline’s general counsel, called the airline’s situation a “serious financial crisis.” (From Tripso)
Artist protests TSA “theater” with hidden carry-on messages — If you’ve ever wished you could protest the Transportation Security Administration’s intrusive screening practices without getting yourself arrested, meet Evan Roth. (From Tripso)
Confirmed: Driving a train while texting might be dangerous — Breaking news from the U.S. government: Driving a train and sending a text message at the same time might be dangerous. (From Tripso)
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
TALKBACK | How to sound off about this site
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