June 13, 2007

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
First aid for travel
June 13, 2007

The big road trip issue. A few hundred years from now, when history students read today’s travel journalism, they might be forgiven for concluding that we flew everywhere. Fact is, few of us do. Most travel takes place by car. So this week’s issue of Elliott’s E-Mail gives road travel its due, from blog entries about the worst cities for traffic, to a car rental troubleshooter column, to an archived feature about the worst road trips. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

» Read this week’s newsletter online.

This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is 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.

FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel

Burning question … I can’t believe they charged me for that! OK, so we’re only halfway through 2007. But is there any denying that this is the year of the surcharge? My question for you this week is: Where have you experienced the most outrageous new surprise surcharge, fee, or tax? Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

Please join me on Facebook. If you’re a reader of this newsletter, I want to be your Facebook friend. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how this site is put together and stay on top of the latest travel trends. Here’s my profile. See you online!

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

An early return, a higher price — Molly Reinhardt returns her Alamo rental car three days early, after a death in her family. The company shows its compassion by charging her an extra $361 in early-return fees. Did it make a mistake, or is Alamo really billing Reinhardt more for less? (From The Troubleshooter)

5 strategies for building an online community — They say the secret to every effective Web site is having the three “C’s” — commerce, content, and community. How to sell your products or services online and how to create content for your site — these are the simpler concepts to grasp. Building a community? That can be a bit more complicated. (From Office Live)

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

BLOGGED | New posts on Ellipses

Are booking fees about to go buh-bye? — In an effort to gain a competitive edge over travel suppliers and offline agents, online travel agencies may be on the verge of jettisoning booking fees. That’s good news for travelers, who may save $5 or more every time they buy a trip online. (From Ellipses)

Should the travel industry give passport laggards a break? — News that the State Department has modified its passport requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to several popular destinations is coming as a relief to the summer vacation crowd. But is it enough? (From Ellipses)

Bring it on, Atlantis — Watching shuttle launches is a spectator sport here in Central Florida, and there will be no better place to see Atlantis take off this evening than from my driveway. (From Ellipses)

9 cities with the worst traffic jams — Here’s an honor no American city wants: the place with the worst traffic congestion. Is there such an award? Well, not quite, but close. The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced nine semi-finalists for a federal program that will pour a total of $1.1 billion into a traffic jam-fighting program. (From Ellipses)

Forecast: higher prices dent travel plans — Are soaring gas prices making a dent in the rest of travel, especially the hotel business? You betcha, says a new survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. (From Ellipses)

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

Car stories. Here are a few roadtripping stories from the past.

America’s worst road trips — Which U.S. roads are the most hazardous? As many travelers abandon commercial airlines – one of the safest ways to get around – in favor of autos, it’s a question worth asking. (From The Travel Critic)

Marking the miles to Key West — Maybe it’s the feeling that when you’re crossing the spans of the Overseas Highway, you’re riding on water. Maybe it’s the legendary hangouts where crusty locals mix with weekend tourists — weathered institutions like Alabama Jack’s near Key Largo, Lorelei’s in Islamorada, and Sloppy Joe’s in Key West. Then again, maybe it’s the danger. (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

Cat trouble — Erysse meets her new kitten, Pollux. Actually, she swiped his cat toy, a twist tie. The kitten tried to pry the tie loose by swatting her (gently). She refused to loosen her grip. Quite the scene.

It is useless to resist — Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s MGM Studios are fun, but it’s was waaaaay too crowded and hotter than an exploding Death Star today. Aren tries to survive, but he has this funny feeling that he’s being watched …

Liftoff — Atlantis takes off at dusk. This is the view from our driveway.

Pirate girl — The boys dressed up as pirates today. Erysse didn’t want to be left out, so she swiped Iden’s hat.

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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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