January 17, 2006

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
Travel tips, news and information
January 17, 2007

Endings … and beginnings. Although spring is still a few months away, there are a lot of beginnings — and endings — in the travel industry this week. Bill Marriott has a new blog. Southwest Airlines has a new site. And I have some insights into the end of the relationship between Expedia and American Airlines — although technically, it isn’t completely over. I have a collection of famous finale columns in my Flashback section. And remember last year’s prediction that there will be big changes to this newsletter? Well stay tuned, because I’m going to have a major announcement very soon. Oh, and scroll all the way down for pictures of the kids and our recent weekend in Lake County, Fla.

» Read this week’s newsletter online.

FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel

Burning question … Which travel company should start a blog? A number of hotels and airlines have entered the blogosphere recently. Who’s missing? Which travel company or travel executive would you like to see a blog from? Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

My hotel lost my glasses — Kate Lease leaves her glasses at a Comfort Inn. Fortunately, the hotel finds them and offers to return them to her. Unfortunately, it loses them before it can put them in the mail. What does the company owe Lease for losing her glasses? (From The Travel Troubleshooter)

Asleep in exhaustion — I used to think that being a war correspondent was one of the most difficult jobs in TV journalism. It is, without a doubt, the most dangerous one. (From The New York Times)

BLOGGED | New posts on CSR and Ellipses

Expedia vs. American Airlines — Does anyone really care that Expedia no longer offers first- and business-class fares from American Airlines? Well, maybe not, but the war of words surrounding the whole incident is too juicy to be ignored. (From Ellipses)

Bill gets a blog — When it comes to the travel industry, corporate blogs have gotten a mixed reaction from the online community. Some, like Southwest’s blog, generally receive high marks for their irreverent tone that connects with other bloggers. Others, like Starwood’s Lobby have been criticized for being overly promotional. (From Ellipses)

Southwest.com gets a facelift — When it comes to user-friendliness among airline sites, Southwest.com probably has no competition. It’s been the Google of travel dot-coms: simple, intuitive and fast. But since launching in 1995, it has changed very little. Why mess with a good thing? (From Ellipses)

Donut emergency on Northwest — Let’s start at the end for a change. Northwest Airlines put this passenger on the next flight and upgraded him to first class as a goodwill gesture. And Northwest had a lot of making up to do. (From Ellipses)

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

Infamous finales …

eGulliver’s travels end — but who’s next? — eGulliver’s travels ended swiftly last Friday when the money ran out. Seems one of the Atlanta quasi-agency’s investors got spooked by online travel’s Lilliputian returns and withdrew funding, bringing the site’s voyage to a sudden and unceremonious end. (From Inside Interactive Travel)

No future for tech travel — Is there a future for those of use who travel with technology? A review of the headlines during this column’s five-year run would suggest that the answer is “no.” If things continue at the rate they’re going, then laptop computers, personal digital assistants and cell phones will be banned from planes, trains and cars. (From The Travel Technologist)

Potty break denied — All Deana Pollard wanted was to go to the bathroom. All the Southwest Airlines crew members wanted was for her to return to her seat as their flight from Seattle to Los Angeles taxied down the runway. (From The Travel Critic)

POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photo blog

I’m two years old — Hey, everyone. I’m two years old. Let’s make some noise!

Blowing out the candles — They’re letting me play with fire. What a great birthday present.

Milking my goat — I hung out at Uncle Donald’s Farm in Lake County today and got to milk this goat. Pretty cool, huh?

Monster truck — We’re gonna rip it up with this swamp buggy in the groves! Hop in and let’s run over some cars.

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.

» Find me on MySpace.

» Link to me on LinkedIn.

» 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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS | Manage your e-mail delivery preferences

You can manage your newsletter subscription here. You can also sign up for this newsletter’s RSS feed. Having technical trouble? Please send a note describing your problem we’ll do our best to help.

Here’s how to unsubscribe from this newsletter. (Sorry to see you go!)

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.

Be the first to comment