February 7, 2007

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
Travel tips, news and information
February 7, 2007

Who’s afraid of passenger rights? You aren’t. I’m not. But they are. And you know who I’m talking about. This week, the effort to pass meaningful passenger rights legislation got interesting, as the opposition came out and supporters dug in. I’ve got full coverage on my blog. And there’s much more in this week’s issue, as always.

» Read this week’s newsletter online.

FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel

Burning question … Finding common ground. Do airline passengers — a vast majority of which support a bill of rights — and airlines have anything in common? Is there anything we can agree on, when it comes to how passengers ought to be treated? I’m interested in hearing from airline employees and airline passengers on this important question. Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

What does ‘best rate’ mean? — The room rate at the Days Hotel & Conference Centre, Toronto Downtown, is good on the Daysinn.com Web site, but not as good as the one quoted on another site, Hotels.ca. When Stan Dulkiewicz spots the discrepancy, he tries to claim a free night under Days Inn’s “best rate” guarantee. The hotel turns him down flat, citing a problem with the room category. Is that a cop-out? (From The Travel Troubleshooter)

Yes, there’s a head in my luggage — Here’s a packing tip I’ve picked up in my travels: If there’s a head in your luggage, you might want to allow yourself a few extra minutes at the security checkpoint. (From The New York Times)

BLOGGED | New posts on CSR and Ellipses

Bill of rights update — Here’s the latest on that passenger rights bill I’ve been obsessing about in this blog: I’m told that the idea is still very much alive. It’s apparently being attached to the FAA reauthorization bill, where it stands a better-than-average chance of making it all the way into law. (From Ellipses)

Uncle Sam ups luggage liability — whatever! — Later this month, the government is expected to raise the airline’s liability limit for lost luggage to $3,000 from $2,800. Please try to contain your excitement. (From Ellipses)

Passenger rights? No thanks — Although there is plenty of ongoing discussion about a passenger bill of rights, no industry association has come out against the proposed legislation. Until now. (From Ellipses)

US Airways + Delta = no go — US Airways this morning officially withdrew its offer for Delta Air Lines after a last-ditch effort to persuade its creditors to say “yes” by sweetening its offer by an extra billion. The pundits had long predicted this merger would go down in flames, but there is no doubt that US Airways will remain on the prowl for its next vict … er, I mean, acquisition target. (From Ellipses)

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

More ‘best rate’ shenanigans …

Best rate? No guarantee — was looking for a room rate on a one-night stay at the Niagara Falls Knights Inn in Ontario, Canada. I went to the hotel Web site and saw a button with a “manager’s special” with a good price, so I booked the room. (From The Troubleshooter)

A worst rate guarantee — am writing in regards to a recent experience with Hilton’s “Best Rates Guaranteed” program. I am a loyal Hilton Honors member, and I rarely seek a hotel other than one under the Hilton umbrella. When I was booking a recent business trip, I came across a competitive room rate online and decided to file a claim under the guarantee. (From The Troubleshooter)

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Elliott’s E-Mail is published 50 times a year by Christopher Elliott. (c) 2006 Christopher Elliott.

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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