March 14, 2007

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
Travel tips, news and information
March 14, 2007

Wow! The response to last week’s big move into online video was, in a word, overwhelming. I’d like to that everyone who wrote me with their opinions and feedback. And guess what? We’ve done it again this week — another three secrets videocast about the Astronaut Hall of Fame. I’m always interested in your thoughts. This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail also has stories about rental car billing problems, TSA troubles, Web 2.0 acquisitions, and much, much more.

» Read this week’s newsletter online.

FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel

Burning question … When should you not leave a tip? — A lot of folks in the travel industry rely on tips to earn a living. This week, I’m wondering when it’s acceptable — if it’s ever acceptable — to withhold a tip. Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

It’s spring break. I’m taking a week off from blogging and the next issue of Elliott’s E-Mail will appear March 28. Part of the reason is that my youngest brother is visiting us next week, and I haven’t seen him in years. But I’ll also be putting the finishing touches on a Web site redesign that will feature an even better interface and lots of cool new features. Stay tuned!

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

Towed car, blown budget — Maggie O’Brien’s purse is stolen while she’s on vacation in South Carolina, and she loses the keys to her rental car. Her vehicle is towed back to the rental location in Charlotte, N.C. Now her car rental company, Budget, wants to charge her $3,551 for a four-week rental. Should she have to pay for a car she never used? (From The Troubleshooter)

Leaving a lasting impression — Travel often turns my expectations upside down. In 1999, I visited Iran with a small group of Americans to watch a total eclipse of the sun. On the afternoon of the event, I found myself alone in Esfahan’s vast Khomeini Square: one American among 50,000 Iranians. (From The New York Times)

BLOGGED | New posts on CSR and Ellipses

More TSA SSSSilliness — By now everyone — including the bad guys — know that being designated as a “selectee” for further screening is almost always a totally random thing. The airline draws your name from the passenger list and generates a boarding pass with “SSSS” written across it. It’s your lucky day! (From Ellipses)

Three secrets about the Astronaut Hall of Fame — One of the lesser-known Orlando-area attractions is the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame near the Kennedy Space Center. I’d almost go so far as to use the term overlooked, but it’s impossible to miss the Space Shuttle in front of the building as you approach from the East. (Then your attention quickly turns to the Space Center only a few miles away.) (From Ellipses)

Overlooked: cruise cancellations — The travel blogosphere likes to get all lathered up about norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships — and yes, I’m one of those commentators who doesn’t miss an opportunity to join in. But how about the hotels that have similar problem? That was the case just yesterday at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City. (From Ellipses)

TripAdvisor acquires SmarterTravel — This must be the week to buy a travel Web site. TripAdvisor has acquired SmarterTravel, according to Expedia, TripAdvisor’s parent company. Terms weren’t disclosed. (From Ellipses)

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

More on car rental troubles …

How not to get dinged — If you’ve ever put a dent or ding on a rental car, you know the drill. The paperwork. The insurance claims. And the often outrageous repair bills. Sometimes, customers even end up with a nasty form letter from a company threatening to report them to a collection agency if they don’t pay up, pronto. (From Ellipses)

Lost my rental in a hurricane — I was scheduled to speak at a conference in Gainesville, Fla., in September. But the meeting was cancelled because most of the delegates in the area were still without electricity after the recent hurricanes. (From The Troubleshooter)

POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photo blog

I wanna be an astronaut — I visited the Astronaut Hall of Fame with my family today. We got here in the car. This here behind me’s my ride home.

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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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