Want to vacation somewhere inexpensive? Try Winston-Salem, N.C., which is the most affordable major American city, according to Mercer’s latest city ranking. What makes the Twin City so cheap? Just about everything, according to the survey.
RANKING
Our friends at J.D. Power and Associates are at it again. Last week they leaked their 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Study to a largely uncritical mainstream media. This morning, they let the rest of us have the results, in which they claim “overall customer satisfaction with airlines in 2009 has declined for a third consecutive year to a four-year low.” But has it? And does that mean anything?

Elliott is consumer advocate
WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? If you're having trouble with a travel business - any business - and you've reached a dead end, maybe I can help. Send me an