Elliott’s E-Mail/July 31, 2007

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
First aid for travel
July 31, 2007

What’s a reservation worth? It’s a simple question. But there’s no simple answer, unfortunately. This week, Elliott’s E-Mail takes a hard look at reservations and discovers what happens when they go missing. Plus, read all about traveling in Europe this summer (it’s not as expensive as you might think), a primer on EU passenger rights rules, more TSA silliness, and lots of new photoblog entries.

» Read this week’s newsletter online.

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

Burning question … Reservations gone awry? Got a horror story about a reservation that went wrong? Don’t hold back. Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

Won’t you be my Facebook friend? If you’re a member of the social networking site Facebook, won’t you be my friend? Here’s how to connect. See you online.

You don’t have to wait. Did you know that you can get the latest travel news from Elliott’s E-Mail in real time? Just add this site’s RSS feed and you’ll never miss a minute. Here are the details on how to set up an RSS feed. (It’s easy!)

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

The reservation that wasn’t — Beth Zukowski books six airline tickets on AirTran Airways through Expedia. The online agency charges her a booking fee and bills her for flight protection insurance, but fails to buy her tickets. The reason? Her credit card was declined, it says. But her credit card company disputes the story. Now AirTran wants her to pay more than $200 extra to buy new tickets. What should she do? (From The Troubleshooter)

5 tips for connecting with customers online — Making a connection with your customers is crucial to the success of your business, no matter what you’re selling. It’s one thing to do that in person — in a store, for example — and quite another to do online. Having a winning product and excellent customer service will take you a long way, even on a so-so Web site. But today’s Internet experts will tell you that’s not enough. Connecting with customers online requires a different set of strategies that might not seem intuitive to the average small business. (From Office Live)

Travel security flaws – and how to fix them — Bogus bomb scares. Porous airport security. Whistle-blowing air traffic controllers. It sounds like the plot of straight-to-DVD disaster movie — or, on second thought, maybe the premise of a new British TV comedy — but sadly, it is neither. They’re actual events, and they happened last week here in theUnited States. (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 Ellipses

5 things you need to know about EU Regulation 264/2004 — In 2004, the European Union adopted tough new airline passenger rights regulations, and ever since then, it seems that air carriers have been trying to reinterpret the law to their advantage. As a result, I’ve received more than my fair share of questions about the rule, called Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. (From Ellipses)

Is Europe too expensive this summer? Nyet — You’ve probably read this advice a hundred times this year: Stay away from Europe. It’s too expensive. But it’s not entirely correct, as my colleague Charlie Leocha pointed out in a recent column. And now there’s fresh evidence to support that claim. (From Ellipses)

TSA keeps us safe from 7-year-old terrorist suspect — The Transportation Security Administration has done it again. Earlier this summer it prevented a dangerous sippy cup from being carried on board a plane in Washington. This week, it stopped a 7-year-old Florida boy from boarding his flight because he’s on the no-fly list. It was his third attempt to get on a plane. (From Ellipses)

Passenger ‘sticks it’ to Delta, gets $2,000 — The ‘Hail Mary’ strategy — sending a FedEx letter to an executive — is probably my most controversial dispute-resolution tactic in my playbook. But when all else fails, an unorthodox approach to getting what you deserve from a travel company actually works. If you don’t believe me, consider David Wilson’s recent experience with a nonresponsive Delta Air Lines. (From Ellipses)

The best hotel chains — and the mystery of the Power Circle Ratings — My friends at J.D. Power and Associates are out with their latest hotel ratings this morning, and the winner is … I have no idea. Don’t get me wrong, I think anyone who tries to evaluate the travel industry from a customer-service perspective deserves a medal. But J.D.’s grading system — also known as “Power Circle” ratings — leave me with more questions than answers. (From Ellipses)

Elliott’s E-Mail is also 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!

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

Missing reservations So what’s a reservation worth? Here are more answers from the archives

No room at the inn — A few months ago, I booked a room through Expedia at The Inn at the Opera Hotel in San Francisco. It was a special deal and required that I pay $531.16 — the full amount — in advance. On the day I was to arrive, I called the inn to confirm my reservation. They claimed to have no knowledge of my booking; in fact, they said the hotel had been sold out for more than a month. (From The Troubleshooter)

Mystery of the missing ticket — I recently purchased a ticket through Cheapseats.com to fly from Sioux Falls, S.D., to Oakland, Calif., on United Airlines. I received a confirmation that day by e-mail, along with a reservation number. But when I arrived in Sioux Falls, I was not allowed on the plane. A United employee told me that I had been issued a paper ticket and that I could not check in without it. (From The Troubleshooter)

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 photo blog

Leave me alone — Aren is tired. Dad wants to test out the new camera. He wants to sleep. And the kittens want to play.

What’s that? — It’s a blazing hot day at SeaWorld, and Aren looks longingly at the fountain, hoping some of the mist will drift his way. It was so warm that everyone called it a day early and headed back to the ranch in Winter Springs.

Score! — Iden gloats after landing a wet washrag on his sister. Erysse wasn’t as enthusiastic about the hit, and let the whole world know (hint: loud screams). It did little to wipe the grin off her brother’s face …

Respecting the temple — Aren swung by Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where he visited the temple near Everest. He’s thinking that with all these siblings, the life of a monk wouldn’t be such a bad thing. All that peace and quiet is good for the soul. If they could only do something about that rollercoaster.

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Elliott’s E-Mail is published 50 times a year by Christopher Elliott. (c) 2007 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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