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

August 6, 2001

> Inside

* This Week: U.S. Backs Unfair Air Pricing
* Censored: Why Orbitz Sucks
* How do You Save Money on the Road?
* The Travel Technologist Update
* Exclusive: B2B and Hidden City Controversy
* Nice to See You at NBTA
* Lose the Label, Save a Lot
* Surprise Innovations at NBTA
* Go Ahead, Lose First Class
* Useful Sites
* Perkins: No One Ever is to Blame
* Alexander: Spirited Debate About Alcohol on Airlines

> This Week in Travel

** U.S. Backs Unfair Air Pricing
The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, last week said that allowing passengers to circumvent the Saturday-night-stay rule on most discount fares would cost airlines millions of dollars in revenue. The government also found that allowing so-called "hidden-city" ticketing would damage an airline's ability to make money. Of course, most travelers already know that, but they see it differently - they think of all the money they'll be able to save if Congress tells the carriers to reform their fare system. But the GAO announcement begs another question: Since when is the government charged with protecting the airline industry's profits? And what about our right to a fair ticket system? - CE

> Censored from the Sunday Travel Section

** Why Orbitz Sucks
Your Sunday travel section won't tell you that Orbitz sucks because the folks in the advertising department are still busy counting their share of the airline cartel's $100-million ad campaign. But this newsletter will. It's not the site, which we've reviewed and liked. It's not the alleged anticompetitive nature of the dot-com startup. We couldn't care less about that. No, it's the ads. The Orbitz spots in print and online make you think you can have it all - a glamorous travel experience at a fraction of the regular price. But the truth is, it's the deep discount fares peddled by the likes of Orbitz that have made air travel decidedly unglamorous. The more the airlines must cut prices, the more they cut amenities like legroom, meals and service. Don't buy the lie.

> By the Way

** How do You Save Money on the Road?
This week we urgently need your moneysaving travel tips. How do you save on hotel, car rental, airfare and meals? How do you get free stuff on the road? How about theme parks? How do you cut corners when you take mass transit, especially in Europe? Your thoughts, suggestions and comments are urgently needed this week in connection with a story for a major magazine. Send 'em to tip@elliott.org and please include your full name, city and contact information.

** The Travel Technologist Update
Thanks to all of you who have registered your disapproval about the upcoming cancellation of The Travel Technologist. Negotiations with Biztravel.com seem to be deadlocked at the moment, and plans are being made to move the column to another site. We regret the inconvenience that this might cause, but we'll be sure to let you know where the column can be found after Oct. 1.

** Exclusive: B2B and Hidden City Controversy
Do you use back-to-back and hidden-city tickets when you travel by air? If you do, we're interested in hearing from you this week. Why do you do it? (And how do you do it?) Please send your comments to feedback@elliott.org along with your full name and city of residence.

** Nice to See You at NBTA
To all those of you who said "hello" at the National Business Travel Association convention in Atlanta last week, thank you! I enjoyed meeting you and talking about ways to improve this publication. And to everyone who signed up for this newsletter after meeting me in Atlanta: welcome to Elliott's E-Mail!

> Elliott's Cheap Travel Tip

** Lose the Label, Save a Lot
If you aren't particular about the airline you fly on but don't want to bid for your ticket, log on to the Internet for special "white label" fares. Offers are available on Web sites such as Expedia and OneTravel that offer big savings if you're willing to buy a ticket without knowing the exact time of departure or the airline you'll be flying with. More often than not, the flights are on major airlines, so there's no need to worry about getting stuck on a puddle-jumper. Got a moneysaving tip? Send it to tip@elliott.org.

> Our Sponsors

** 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.

** 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

** Surprise Innovations at NBTA
You may have never heard of the National Business Travel Association, but the agent who booked your last business trip almost certainly has. The industry organization represents more than 2,000 corporate travel managers and suppliers - the people behind the scenes who make your trip happen. I only mention NBTA because I happened to spend the last three days at its annual convention in Atlanta. In most years, the trade floor is dominated by obscure business-to-business companies that offer products the average traveler would find about as interesting as a lecture on airline yield-management systems. Not this time. Read this week's Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2001/nbta.htm

** Go Ahead, Lose First Class
Go ahead, get rid of first class. That was the overwhelming response in the unscientific poll from last week's column about airline seating arrangements. A majority of readers - 78 percent - agreed with my proposal to strip all the first class seats from planes to make a little more room in coach. Meanwhile, in an accompanying chat, the discussions evolved into passionate arguments about haves vs. have-nots, capitalism vs. communism, the left vs. the right. Yours truly was accused of being both a communist and a Democrat. (The latter charge coming from none other than Minneapolis airline guru Terry Trippler.) From the archives of The Travel Critic at http://www.elliott.org/vault/critic/1998/firstreact.htm

> Audio Commentary

** Useful Sites
Think Web sites for travelers are a lost cause? Think again. This week, Christopher Elliott's audio commentary features several hot URLs for frequent travelers. In this week's Outtakes from the Laptop Traveler at http://www.elliott.org/audio/outtakes/2001/usefulsites.mp3

> Other Voices

** Perkins: No One Ever is to Blame
A few years ago, SmarterLiving.com's Ed Perkins read a generally forgettable crime caper novel, saved from oblivion by one great character. "Otherguy" Overby got his nickname by the fact that whenever something went wrong, he could always figure a way to blame some other guy. Perkins suspects that the author was a veteran of the travel industry, where blaming the other guy has been refined to an art form. (While you're there, check out SmarterLiving.com's redesigned site.) Click on http://www.smarterliving.com/columns/ed/Compensation20010726.1.html

** Alexander: Spirited Debate About Alcohol on Airlines
Few of Keith Alexander columns have generated the heated responses from readers as the one last week that detailed California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's proposal to cap at two the number of drinks airlines can serve passengers. Indeed, some of the e-mails and letters couldn't be reprinted here because, well, this is a family newspaper. Most who responded thought the idea was ridiculous and wouldn't fix anything. Point your mouse to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12646-2001Jul31.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

** GreatCruises.com
Learn insider cruise information. Be an informed cruiser. Subscribe to GreatCruises.com's free monthly e-mail cruise newsletter, "All Cruise E-News." Get breaking news on new ships, new itineraries, price trends, cruise lines, health and safety inspections, cruise line awards and cruise tips of the month. Sign-up at http://www.greatcruises.com/Newsletter1.htm

** 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/

> 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.

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