May 30, 2007

ELLIOTT’S E-MAIL
First aid for travel
May 30, 2007

Who else wants to have a good trip this summer? You do? Well keep reading. This transmission of Elliott’s E-Mail is bursting at the seams with helpful information on how to travel well this season. There are new TV show episodes, a new column, a Travel Troubleshooter feature with a cautionary tale about electronic tickets. There are blog entries and commentaries about avoiding the horrors of in-season travel. And … drumroll please … the kittens have names, thanks to you.

» 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 … Your luggage horror stories, please! Not all luggage is created equally. Some of it sucks. Some of it is mistreated by baggage handlers. But when it’s both, the results can be catastrophic. Here’s your chance to share your baggage tragedies. Send me a note or shoot me an IM (celliottlive on AIM).

New Office Live column is now live. Longtime readers of this newsletter know that travel isn’t my only specialty. I also write about technology. Remember that three-year stint as the Travel Technologist? Ah, memories. So when my friends over at Microsoft Office Live asked me to pen a column about Web sites and small business, I jumped at the chance. The first story is now live on the site. Stay tuned for more.

See online previews of my TV show. Be sure to catch the next installment of What You Get For The Money: Vacations Saturday at noon on the Fine Living TV network. Plus, you can now watch previews on the site. You don’t want to miss this.

SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline

A confirmation, but no ticket — His reservation is confirmed online, but when Max Putra gets to the airport, he doesn’t have a seat. SkyEurope Airlines forces him to buy a new, more expensive ticket, claiming his credit card company rejected his card. Now it’s balking at his request for a refund. Or is it? (From The Troubleshooter)

7 pages every business site must have — Don’t look now, but your Web site might be missing a few pages — a few very important pages. You’re not alone. Most small-business sites are a work in progress — constantly being revised, improved, and updated. So invariably, something is always missing. But some pages are so important that not having them could hurt your bottom line. (From Office Live)

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.

BLOGGED | New posts on Ellipses

Read the fine print very carefully — They say the devil is in the details, and nowhere is that more true than with airfare rules. I’ve been working with a reader to help resolve a ticket change request, and you’ll want to read her story before you buy your next airline ticket. (From Ellipses)

Discovering Discovery Cove — Turns out Orlando has at least one upscale theme park. It’s called Discovery Cove, and I had the opportunity to experience it for myself earlier this week. (From Ellipses)

FLASHBACK | A retrospective from the Elliott archives

Summer travel: back to the future. Why haven’t you seen a big “summer travel” feature from yours truly? Maybe because I’ve already written it. Six years ago.

Stress busters for summer travel — Memorial Day marks the start of what could be one of the most unforgettable summers for traveling. Unforgettably bad. (From Power Trip)

False forecasts — What’s the summer travel season going to be like? Will airfares rise or fall? How about hotel rates? Will the roads be busy? In newsrooms across the country, reporters are gearing up to answer those questions, just as they do every year. And the same pundits are stepping forward to make their travel forecasts. (From Commentary)

POSTCARDS | The latest from Elliott’s personal photo blog

Happy birthday, Aren — It’s Aren’s fifth birthday! Iden whoops it up with his big party hat.

Birthday hug — Tyler gives Aren a birthday hug on at his fifth birthday party. The boys enjoyed cupcakes with their classmates at Lutheran Haven.

About those kittens … Thanks to all of you who wrote in last week to suggest names for the red-spotted Bengals we are adopting in a few weeks. Many thanks to reader Jade Quek, who suggested the winning names: Castor and Pollux.

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.

» Reach me on Skype. My username is christopherjelliott.

» 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) 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.

Be the first to comment