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Copyright Elliott Publishing. All rights reserved. For more information, call (305) 453-4781 or send e-mail to us.

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

December 31, 2001

> Inside

* Ten Travel Stories We Missed
* MilesLink Voices
* Restaurant Savings Tips
* Get an Early Tax Refund
* Small Savings Can Add Up
* The Best Fare?
* Now I Really Feel Naked
* Good Counsel
* I Take My Chances
* Lyin' Airlines

> This Week in Travel

** Ten Travel Stories We Missed
Terrorist attacks, attempted bombings and a travel industry in freefall have headlined one of the most unforgettable years in memory. But some transportation-related stories slipped between the metaphorical cracks. These events - almost equally significant - were glossed over by the mainstream media, buried on the inside of newspapers, relegated to minor mentions at the end of TV and radio broadcasts, or ignored altogether. The full list is at http://www.elliott.org/vault/oped/2001/ten.htm

> By the Way

** MilesLink Voices
Ticked.com, this newsletter's sister site, is pleased to announce that it will begin publishing a biweekly newsletter with MilesLink called "MilesLink Voices." Many of you already rely on MilesLink for the latest industry news, hot bonuses and advice and tips that really matter to frequent travelers. "Voices" will feature the most engaging opinions in travel - including yours. To subscribe, click on http://www.webflyer.com/newsletters/newsletter.htm

** Restaurant Savings Tips
When you're on the road, how do you save money on food? Do you eat at a restaurant or go to a grocery store? What are your favorite money-saving tips? Send us an e-mail and please don't forget to include your full name, city, and what you do for a living. Your answer may appear in a future column.

> Elliott's Cheap Travel Tip

** Get an Early Tax Refund
Now that America West Airlines is officially on the take from the federal government, just how will it spend our taxpayer money? Why, by throwing a big sale, of course. Call it an early tax refund: America West Vacations is offering first-class vacation packages, including first-class airfare and luxury hotel accommodations that are reduced by up to 60 percent. The packages are available from more than 50 cities to America West Vacations most popular destinations including Las Vegas, Reno and Phoenix, Click on http://www.americawestvacations.com for details. Got a moneysaving tip? Send it to tip@elliott.org

> Our Sponsor

** Resortspace.com
Want to take a ski vacation? Click on Resortspace.com, the authoritative online guide to skiing in North America and Europe. Recently named "Best of the Web" by Forbes as a ski and snowboard resource, it's got everything you need to plan your winter vacation. Click on http://www.resortspace.com for more information.

> Elliott's Commentary

** Small Savings Can Add Up
Too often, travelers obsess over cutting costs on big-ticket items when they plan a trip, like finding a lower airfare or booking a cheaper hotel room. Too often, they skip the small moneysaving opportunities that, over a few days, can really add up. It's true that you're going to spend most of your money on airfare (about half), hotel (23 percent), meals (12 percent), and car rental (5 percent) - those figures courtesy of Runzheimer International. What about the rest? In The Travel Tightwad at http://www.elliott.org/tightwad/2001/small.htm

** The Best Fare?
That airfare to Bogotá looks too good to be true, writes a reader. He suspects the Web site that offers the ticket - Bestfares.com - isn't as good as it claims to be. Is it? Travel Troubleshooter Chris Elliott checks out Tom Parson's site and finds out if the price is the real deal - or a lot of hot air. Read the details in The Travel Troubleshooter at http://www.elliott.org/ask/2001/crbest.htm

** Now I Really Feel Naked
No sooner had the first wheel of my plane touched down in Vienna than I reflexively reached for the cell phone. The tri-band GSM handset was set to work in Austria, so as the aircraft rolled to a stop, I confidently keyed in my voice-mail number. Nine hours without a phone can seem like an eternity. "I'm sorry, but your call cannot be completed," a female voice said in German. "Please check with your service provider." Something had gone terribly wrong - my portable didn't work. Check out The Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2001/exposed.htm

> There's much more irreverent news and commentary about travel. Click on http://www.elliott.org now for details. <

> Ticked.com Talk

** Good Counsel
Amid such challenging times, we need a travel consultant service, says Harry Shattuck. Someone who can visit with us one-on-one and advise where it's safe to travel, practical to travel, inexpensive to travel. And how to get there without enduring a nervous breakdown. A travel doctor, if you will. Read more of Harry's column at http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/travel/shattuck/1180047

** I Take My Chances
Hotel rooms are burglarized, laptops are stolen, travelers are mugged, autos are carjacked. And in a single morning this year, 266 airline passengers and crew were killed in the simultaneous hijacking of four aircraft. Traveling in the United States is risky. Maybe you'd be safer sticking around the ol' neighborhood, writes Terry Riley ... and maybe not. Read more in Terry Riley's column at http://www.ticked.com/errtravel/2001/chances.htm

** Lyin' Airlines
It is the time of the year when many folks make New Year resolutions - like, I'm going to lose 10 pounds, or I'll start a regular exercise routine. Of course these resolutions never seem to pan out, but the intentions are good. Unfortunately, the airlines all face many of the same problems, and the results seem to be the same - good intentions, but the resolutions never pan out. Get the details in a special archive edition of Cheap Charlie at http://www.ticked.com/cheapcharlie/1999/chresolution.htm

> For links to other engaging travel opinions, visit http://www.ticked.com today. And don't forget to bookmark the site! <

> Other Sponsors

** Family Travel Forum
Want your family vacations to be cheaper, safer and more fun? Turn to the web's most comprehensive, independent resource for travel with kids. Join FTF's global network to access first-hand, honest research, tips, and the editors' pick of the top family travel deals, free festivals, learning vacations, and seasonal travel events. Click on http://www.familytravelforum.com/e-news.html for your FREE sample now.

** Radoff's Travel Letter
If you've got a travel-related dispute that you haven't been able to resolve, why not try a lawyer's letter - a customized message from an attorney showing that you mean business? Franklin Radoff, a lawyer with more than three decades of experience in litigation and transactional matters, has offered his lawyer's letter service to readers of Elliott's E-Mail at a special discount. Pay $39.95 (the normal fee is $49.95) for a lawyer's letter through Jan. 1. (You must mention discount code ELL10K for the discount.) For details, click on http://www.legaladvicehotline.com/lawyersletter.htm or call (800) 595-2948.

** Net-roamer
If you are a serious road e-warrior and need internet access, Net-roamer offers the iPass Network of more than 14,000 local call access numbers in 150 countries. Your first half-hour is FREE. Your email address will not change and you keep your regular Internet Service Provider. User-friendly software for Laptops and most PDA's including Macs. With Net-roamer you surf, send and receive email exactly as you would when at home or office. Click on http://www.net-roamer.com

** PS Inform by PositiveSpace
A travel agent needs to do more than book a flight to gain a client's loyalty these days - he or she needs to know enough to be an expert travel advisor. PS Inform can help. Short, daily email messages alert you to breaking travel stories, advisories and tips that make you a hero to your clients. And it's FREE! Subscribe today at http://www.positivespace.com/v2/redirect?loc_id=26

> Charter Underwriters

* AirJet Airline News - News updated hourly at http://www.airlinebiz.com

* Applied Psychology - Security tips online at http://www.appliedpsychology.com

* Bonjour Paris - This site's French connection at http://www.bonjourparis.com

> 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 (305) 453-4781 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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> Credits and Subscription Information

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