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ELLIOTT'S E-MAIL
The Last Honest Travel Newsletter
http://www.elliott.org

August 20, 2001

> Inside

* Who's to Blame for the Bankruptcy Game?
* 50-Plus Savings
* Be Your Own Travel Agent?
* Get Free Content For Your Publication
* Cut-Rate Europe Travel
* Save With an Apartment
* A Fine SMS We've Gotten Ourselves Into
* Myths Travel Fast
* Orbitz Takes Flight
* Useful Sites
* Plan B From Outer Space
* Flying into Chapter 11

> This Week in Travel

** Who's to Blame for the Bankruptcy Game?
Midway Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection last week. The reason? Business travelers, who thoughtlessly paid thousands of dollars for unrestricted tickets only a year ago, are staying home and sending earnings into a freefall. Although few industry pundits are ready to name the next contestant, it's obvious that US Airways could soon play the Chapter 11 game. The carrier's plan to rescue itself has been met with a lukewarm response from Wall Street - and laughter from some of its critics. If it goes the way of Midway then chances are it will also take a swipe at corporate travelers on its way out. But are frequent travelers really bringing these airlines to their knees? Not likely. The airlines have done this to themselves by creating a fare structure that essentially forces business travelers to subsidize tourists. And when fares are unfair, then there are no winners. - CE

> Censored from the Sunday Travel Section

** 50-Plus Savings
I'm a sucker for books on how to save money when you travel. So even though I'm not quite 50 (I've got a few decades to go) I couldn't help but take notice of Joan Rattner Heilman's excellent update to her book "Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50." What I like best - and this is something you'd never read in the Sunday travel section - is that Heilman's book is a guide to great money-saving strategies for travelers of all ages. After all, suppliers that offer discounts for one age group are likely to offer deals for others. It's just a matter of finding out what those are.

> By the Way

** Be Your Own Travel Agent?
Ever bought a membership in a be-your-own-travel-agent Web site or company? They go by names like Travel Bridge, Net Cruise and Intellitravel, and they cost anywhere from $499 to $2,000 to join. But are they worth it? If you've tried one - or even if you just have an opinion about these instant agents - let me know. Send your comments to feedback@elliott.org and please include your full name, city and contact information.

** Get Free Content For Your Publication
The fall column lineup on elliott.org is about to be announced, and with it come opportunities for your Web site, newspaper or magazine to publish licensed news and commentary from the Last Honest Travel Site. If you're a newsletter editor or Webmaster, now is the time to sign up for the new Elliott's E-Mail Syndication Feed. In addition to premium content, it also features free weekly tips that you can run anytime. Send a note to syndicate@elliott.org if you want more information.

> Elliott's Cheap Travel Tip

** Cut-Rate Europe Travel
If you're headed to Europe but are put off by high fares for travel by rail or air, consider a pass. Europe by Air (http://europebyair.com) offers an unlimited 15-day pass for $699; a 21-day pass costs $899. Prefer the train? In addition to unlimited rail travel within Europe, a Eurail pass (www.eurail.com) also gives you access to reduced rates at Hilton hotels and for Hertz rentals. Got a moneysaving tip? Send it to tip@elliott.org.

** Save With an Apartment
Here's this week's bonus tip from our friends at Bparis: Explore the option of staying in an apartment rather than a hotel when traveling abroad. Your initial cost may be more but you'll save money when it comes to meals and beverages. In addition, if the apartment is equipped with laundry facilities, you'll be saved from sticker shock when it comes to having your clothes cleaned at the hotel. Click on http://www.bparis.com for more tips for traveling in Europe.

> Our Sponsors

** Notes from the Road
Social commentator and writer Erik Gauger uses photos and stories to get to the bottom of sometimes eerie, sometimes humorous cities and landscapes in Notes from the Road (http://www.notesfromtheroad.com), and award-winning site that illustrates travels in city and country. Track his journeys online or subscribe to his monthly newsletter at http://www.notesfromtheroad.com/join.htm

** Readers Like You
If you care about quality travel industry coverage and want to support the leading consumer advocacy Web site, you can become an underwriter, too. It's easy, it's painless and it's totally anonymous. Just click on http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P34Z3D2F0Z734N for details.

> Elliott's Commentary

** A Fine SMS We've Gotten Ourselves Into
No one ever seems to wonder if Short Messaging System technology belongs on a cell phone. That's probably because SMS is already a hit in Europe, especially with teen-agers who have learned to use a phone keypad to type with uncanny proficiency. And despite some hardware and interoperability issues, the text-messaging protocol is now catching on in the States, too. But someone should be asking if SMS is a good idea. Read this week's Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2001/sms.htm

** Myths Travel Fast
In Las Vegas and New Orleans, a sophisticated crime ring is seducing visitors, drugging them and stealing their kidneys. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, bio-thieves are harvesting a variety of human glands from unsuspecting out-of-towners. And south of the border, they're snatching travelers' testicles. I'm not making this up; someone else did. There are no kidney thieves. Your glands are safe and so are the family jewels. Seriously. Tall tales like these are grist for every traveler's mill, according to University of Florida culture critic James B. Twitchell. From the archives of The Travel Critic at http://www.elliott.org/vault/critic/1998/myths.htm

** Orbitz Takes Flight
The early results are in, and the new and controversial online travel site, Orbitz, is mostly living up to its promise of low fares and customer-friendly service. Orbitz was spawned in the late 1990s, when airlines were struggling to reclaim some of the revenue earned by travel agents and Web sites for distributing tickets (commissions paid for domestic flights totaled $2.1 billion last year). Five carriers - American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United - joined forces to create what became Orbitz. Read more in Kiplinger's Personal Finance at http://www.elliott.org/vault/kiplinger/2001/orbitz.htm

> Audio Commentary

** Message Madness
If you've wondered what commentator Christopher Elliott thinks of phone messaging systems, wonder no more. In this week's audio commentary he lets loose with his take on wireless messaging protocols. In Outtakes from the Laptop Traveler at http://www.elliott.org/audio/outtakes/2001/sms.mp3

> Other Voices

** Brancatelli: Plan B From Outer Space
The buccaneering Wolfmen who run US Airways yesterday premiered Plan B from Outer Space, another episode in their five-year series of stinkeroo strategic plans designed to rescue the carrier from its own mismanagement, writes commentator Joe Brancatelli. Well, maybe he's exaggerating. US Airways management didn't really call its post-merger dog-and-pony show Plan B from Outer Space. But they should have. The entire silly charade in New York resembled nothing so much as the worst movie ever made, Ed Wood's exquisitely awful Plan 9 from Outer Space. Click on http://misc.biztravel.com/CPageUtil_.dll?Content&path=Nv/branc/branc.htm&affiliation=BT3&ssnid=ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

** Potter: Flying into Chapter 11
Midway Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week citing a "calamitous drop" in business travel. Sadly, Midway will not be the last airline to walk the bankruptcy tightrope as airline industry profits continue to nosedive. What is Chapter 11 and what does it mean to you? Click on Anita Dunham-Potter's column on SmarterLiving.com at http://www.smarterliving.com/columns/real/Flying20010816.1.html

** Heard a Rumor? Got News?
If you've come across any interesting travel or technology-related news, let us know at Elliott's E-Mail. We'll check it out. Send a note to editor@elliott.org or call (410) 626-9618.

> Other Sponsors

** SmarterLiving's "Guides to Travel"
Searching for travel bargains can be a frustrating experience. Smarter Living saves you the time of searching by bringing together the best travel deals - online and offline - so that you can spend less time and money on your travel plans. Click below to see our savings guides to Airfare and Hotels!

How to Book a Flight: http://rd.SmarterLiving.com/flightguide
How to Book a Hotel: http://rd.SmarterLiving.com/hotelguide

** AirJet Airline News
This issue of Elliott's E-Mail is also underwritten by AirJet Airline News, the largest electronic airline news magazine on the Internet. News updated hourly at http://www.airlinebiz.com/wire/

** Bonjour Paris
Bonjour Paris is a virtual trip to France for lovers of all things Parisian and French. Visitors to http://www.bonjourparis.com will find travel information, food, wine and hotel tips, as well as lively cultural information.

> Your Opinion Matters

Read something you disagree with? Got a story idea or a gripe? Your opinion can make a difference. E-mail editor@elliott.org or call (410) 626-9618 with any comments, feedback or suggestions about anything in this newsletter. Your participation won't just make it a better service, but it could also improve travel.

> Be an Underwriter!

This site relies on support from travelers like you. If you care about journalism that's uncompromising, cutting-edge and consumer-focused, then you're invited to become a member of elliott.org. Your contribution will help keep the Last Honest Travel Site operating. For more information, go to http://www.amazon.com/paypage/P34Z3D2F0Z734N

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