In this issue …
» New look. Same attitude.
» Travel’s inconvenient conveniences.
» Space aliens stole my luggage.
» More on automation vacations.
» Here’s a senator that won’t quit.
» How to reach yours truly.
» Support this site.
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
Like the new look? Over the Labor Day weekend, we switched elliott.org to a new publishing platform and updated the design. Elliott’s E-Mail is now being published online. But don’t worry — the look may have changed, but the attitude remains the same. What do you think? Please send me a note with your feedback, comments and suggestions.
Burning question … what’s the worst that can happen? We’re still recovering from the summer of ’07. But can it get any worse? This week, I’m wondering: What’s the worst thing that can happen to you while you’re on the road? Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Change of plans? Too bad — John Knapp tries to change his airline ticket from Fayetteville, Ark., to Washington, but his airline won’t let him and his travel agency, Orbitz, won’t help him. Now he has to pay for a new ticket. Is he entitled to a refund? And if so, who should pay him back? (From The Troubleshooter)
Travel’s inconvenient convenience — The travel industry is sinking billions of dollars into technology like online booking tools, check-in kiosks and phone systems that recognize your voice, promising it will make you next trip easier than ever. But is improving your travel experience — or just their bottom line? (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
Warning: Euro payphones steal C-notes, get away with it — Phone cards are usually a terrific way to bypass pricey hotel phones. But what happens when the cards are blocked? That’s a scenario that reader Bruce Grewenow found himself in recently at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport. And the results were disastrous. (From Elliott Blog)
What a deal: ‘Magical’ dining in Orlando — September is slow season in Florida, and that means deals, deals, deals. Here’s one of my favorites: Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, which lets you try one of 50 world-class Central Florida restaurants for a fixed price of either $19 or $29. I know what you’re thinking. “World class” dining and Orlando shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence. Well, that may have been true a decade ago, but no more. (From Elliott Blog)
‘Glitch’ causes Orbitz rental car name switch — Orbitz this evening is expected to alert customers to a “glitch” that may affect several thousand car rental reservations. In a memo sent to car rental companies yesterday, Krista Markowski, a senior account manager, warned that the electronic hiccup, “may create a customer service issue at the counter.” (From Elliott Blog)
Coming soon: robot planes? — The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has new data on airline operations this morning, and at the rate the numbers are trending, it won’t be long before the planes are flying themselves. That may sound a little far-fetched, but have a look at this chart of full-time employees per aircraft during the last five years. (From Elliott Blog)
Space aliens stole my luggage! — Roswell, NM, is synonymous with a 1947 incident in which the government allegedly recovered a crashed UFO. It’s also the site where a series of feel-good TV ads were filmed in 2005 to commemorate the merger between America West and US Airways. According to one insider who witnessed the $1.2 million spots being produced, it was clear from the start that this was a troubled union and a preview of today’s problems . (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
Automation vacation. More on kiosks and other “conveniences” …
Kiosk to my room — When John Burrows arrived at the New York Hilton last month and found himself stalled in the long check-in line, his eye wandered to a bank of polished, electronic kiosks. A hotel employee asked the insurance executive from Hartford, Conn., if he wanted to take the new machine for a test spin. “About a minute later I was on my way to my room, while everyone else was still waiting,” he remembers. (From The Travel Critic)
Are those kiosks for real? — Dust collectors. That is what employees at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers call their new automated check-in kiosks, as one guest who has repeatedly tried to use them found. (From Power Trip)
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
This senator won’t quit — Aren and Iden visited the Senator, a 3,500-year-old Cypress tree, this afternoon. It was SO big! In this shot, they admire Lady Liberty, the Senator’s 2,000-year-old sibling.
Turtle ride — Iden gets a ride from Mom at the pool. It was a hot day. Too hot to be outside for too long.
Daddy’s girl — Erysse plays hop on pop with Chris. She’s been taking lots of little catnaps during the day, leaving her parents more opportunities to entertain her.
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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