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What’s new on Elliott: Flying the bankrupt skies, predatory tourism, and car-less in Dallas

September 8, 2009

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Need great luggage? Please visit our underwriter, Skoobadesign.com, where you can find innovative, award-winning tech/travel carrying cases and accessories. Have a look. NOTE: The 30 percent discount has been extended through September! Here are the details.

In this issue. Survival tips for flying the bankrupt skies. Plus, are Jamaican’s preying on their own tourists, and what to do if your car rental company rejects your reservation.

New posts

• Air Chapter 11: flying the bankrupt skies

• Smaller is better: Alamo officially “reclassifies” its cars under new ownership

• Predatory tourism? Visitor details a “horrible” vacation in Jamaica

• Costa Cruise Lines fined for failing to disclose fuel surcharges and taxes

• Fighting companies that fudge the numbers

• A refund for my downgraded airline seat?

• Oakland gets top marks for on-time flights; New York loses again

• Car-less in Dallas: Dollar turns down one-way rental customer, tells her to go elsewhere

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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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2 comments

  • http://N/A C. ANDERSON

    I love your website! Great articles! Just wanted to let you all know we like it, and we read it!

    C.Anderson

  • Robert Hopwood

    Re: Predatory tourism? Visitor details a “horrible” vacation in Jamaica

    Dear Chris,
    While Mr. Shelton’s trip wasn’t a wonderful experience, it would also seem as if he pulled some of this down upon himself. I will try and take this issue by issue. The first is the charge of the taxi service. Mr. Shelton doesn’t state what hotel he was staying in. He could have been 3 minutes from the airport or 20 minutes. He has obviously not taken taxies in other cities as $20.00, while it may seem high, may not have been. The second point is the price of candy and such. Mr. Shelton also must not have stayed at hotels other than something along the Motel 6 or Best Western brand, as most hotels charge inflated prices for sundries. Do I agree with that practice? No. But this isn’t, again, just a Jamaican issue. On top of that, candy and such is all imported to Jamaica, unless you are buying a local product. This isn’t the same as strolling down to his local Wal-Mart and buying a Snickers. Sadly, Mr. Shelton probably didn’t learn his lesson from this anyway. With almost complete certainty, he booked his trip himself, thinking he was being “a savvy computer literate traveler,” and didn’t use a qualified travel agent. A decent agent would have informed him of luggage restrictions ( which being the savvy traveler, he didn’t look up,) would have booked decent flights ( or given him the option unless he opted to “save a dollar”,) and given him the same advice I give my clients when traveling to Jamaica. Most travel agents would have booked him a decent flight, great hotel, transfers to and from the hotel and offered him trip insurance(including cancel for any reason policies,) and it would have been a completely different experience. I have personally travelled there on business and pleasure many, many times and would not hesitate to take my family. You would use the same common sense you would use traveling to Chicago, New York or any other city for that matter. You don’t walk around flashing money, you don’t wear expensive jewelry while walking down streets skylarking and you don’t go off the beaten path and follow someone into an alleyway for a “good deal.” I’m sorry that Mr. Shelton had a bad experience, but I’m even more sorry that he is going to trash a wonderful destination to whomever will listen to him because he didn’t know what he was doing. I would be happy to help him plan his next vacation if he would like to call.
    Kindest Regards,
    Robert Hopwood
    Manager
    Great Escapes Cruise, Tour & Travel
    greatescapes@charter.net
    http://www.greatescapescruisetourtravel.com
    (618) 394-9763
    (888)369-7204
    (618) 398-8145 FAX

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