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ELLIOTT'S E-MAIL
http://www.elliott.org

August 19, 2002

> Inside

* Thanks for Nothing
* Frequent Flier Traps?
* You Did it! 10k Milestone Reached
* Carlson Travel Tip: More Safety Tips
* Baby Blog Update: Aren Turns Three
* A Note About Part 2
* Can't Have it Both Ways
* PDA Cleared for Takeoff?
* Read the Contract
* Steer Clear of Car Surcharges
* Time for a Vacation
* An Air Travel Security Web
* The Gospel According to American Airlines
* Embrace the American, Leave the Ugly at Home

> This Week in Travel

** Thanks for Nothing
Now that US Airways is bankrupt and United Airlines is following its vapor trail into the abyss of insolvency, here's a question worth asking: What happened to all that money we gave the ailing airline industry after Sept. 11? Congress allocated $15 billion to save the carriers after the terrorist attacks, of which $5 billion were outright grants. Of that, US Airways pocketed $287 million and United took $724 million. Are these airlines going down and taking our tax dollars with them?

> By the Way

** Frequent Flier Traps?
You're an experienced traveler. When you offer advice to someone who travels less frequently, what do you tell them? What frequent flier traps do you warn them about? Do you tell them it isn't worth it to collect frequent flier miles on a rental car? Or that they should avoid the pre-takeoff mimosas in first class? 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.

** You Did it! 10k Milestone Reached
Elliott's E-Mail's circulation passed the 10,000-subscriber mark last week for the first time, thanks to people like you passing the word on to friends and co-workers. This is an exciting time to be on our list - this fall we're introducing an exciting new lineup of columns that will be even more useful and offer fresh insights into the travel industry.

** Carlson Travel Tip: More Safety Tips
When traveling, keep a photocopy of your passport, visa, and travel documents separate from the originals. That way if they are lost or stolen you can replace them more readily. For more information on travel safety, visit our Web site or call us toll-free at (877) 288-3138. To subscribe to our bi-weekly email newsletter, send an e-mail to us with "subscribe" in the subject line.

** Baby Blog Update: Aren Turns Three
Baby Ace is three months old this week! You can follow him on his adventures as he takes his first international trip next weekend, helps Mommy run her campaign and pays a visit to the dentist. Aren loves to get your letters, so write to him. The baby blog can be found here.

** A Note About Part 2
This newsletter comes in two parts this week. The second transmission contains an offer by our underwriter, EyeForTravel. Our underwriters are an important part of this publication because they pay the bills - but we also don't want to deluge you with e-mail. If you have any comments, please send them to us.

> Our Sponsor

** EyeforTravel
The EyeforTravel USA East conference and exhibition taking place at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge on September 23 to 24 has over 150 people signed up for the event already. If you would like to be part of the biggest travel distribution event you can book now for only $995, a massive saving of $300 for a two-day VIP pass. (More information in part 2 of this newsletter, as broadcast via e-mail).

> Elliott's Commentary

** Can't Have it Both Ways
We've got it so good. Airfares are off about 40% since the government deregulated the airline industry more than two decades ago, according to research by the likes of Consumers Union and the National Center for Policy Analysis. The most dramatic drop in prices happened in the last two years. Ticket prices slid by 8.5% in 2001, to an average fare of $131, according to the Air Transport Association. This year, they've plummeted another 12.3%. So why do we feel so bad? >> Details in Power Trip.

** PDA Cleared for Takeoff?
On a recent flight from Newark, N.J., to Orlando, Mike Corbo decided to check his e-mail. But instead of plugging into a $3.99-a-minute in-flight phone, he powered up his Palm VII and downloaded the messages wirelessly, at 35,000 feet. "I found that as long as we were flying over a major city I would easily connect and send or receive email without a problem," says the Lyndhurst, N.J., information systems manager. No one tried to stop Corbo because what he did is perfectly legal. >> In The Travel Technologist.

** Read the Contract
While switching American Express charge cards, a traveler loses 55,000 frequent flier points. How to recover the missing miles? We look into the latest case of vanishing points and discover who's to blame for the mix-up. >> Details in The Travel Troubleshooter.

** Steer Clear of Car Surcharges
Rich Swisshelm thought he'd found a bargain when he locked in a rate of $28 a day for a sport utility vehicle in San Jose, Costa Rica. But when he tried to pick the truck up from the Advantage Rent-A-Car counter, he discovered he'd thought wrong. "The agent informed me that I had to purchase liability insurance at $20 per day and personal accident insurance at $8 per day, which doubled the cost of the rental," he remembers. "They said both insurances were mandatory, and I could not rent the car without purchasing the insurance." >> In The Travel Tightwad.

** Time for a Vacation
Now that summer's almost over, it's time to start thinking about a vacation. I mean a real vacation. Not one of those prepackaged, all-inclusive getaways that have to be endured instead of enjoyed. Not to one of those places where a gazillion other tourists are clamoring to see the same sights or standing in line at the same overpriced restaurants every evening. In short, a perfect vacation. >> In The Travel Critic Archives.

> Ticked.com Talk

** An Air Travel Security Web
In a recent column I stated that on 9/11 the only part of our air travel security net that functioned properly was the airport security system. The deluge of email noting that I was obviously demented was noteworthy. I am not demented. Nor am I ignorant. Just misunderstood. I'll say it again: "As the realities of 9/11 sink in, nine months later, America is learning that perhaps the only portion of our security net that functioned as designed was the airport security system." >> Read Charles Leocha's column.

** The Gospel According to American Airlines
Did you hear the roar of trumpets on Tuesday? Feel the earth move under your feet? See the rays of holy light streaming down from the skies? You should have. The gods who run American Airlines came down from the mountaintop on Tuesday and proclaimed their latest commandments for the nation's largest airline, all of their competitors, the nation's entire airline system and, of course, all of us humble peons who are unlucky enough to be frequent flyers. >> Read more in Joe Brancatelli's column.

** Embrace the American, Leave the Ugly at Home
When preparing for a vacation abroad, travelers will hear all kinds of contrasting advice about how to carry themselves in a foreign country. On the one hand - When in Rome, do as the Romans do. On the other hand - Don't forget where you came from. On the one hand - Be yourself. On the other hand - Blend in with the locals. It's all pretty confusing; add to that the stigma of being the "typical tourist," and it only gets worse. >> Read Ed Hewitt's column.

> Other Sponsors

** Firstclassflyer.com
Want to fly first-class for the price of coach? Looking for free upgrades, two-for-one specials and a fast-track to elite status? Look no further. These hot deals and more are available at First Class Flyer's Web site.

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

** Save Money at Disney World
Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation will show you how to save up to 40 percent on your Walt Disney World Vacation. Discover the money saving tips and strategies - virtually unknown by the general public - that will help you save big on Disney hotels, dining, tickets, cruises, honeymoons, and souvenirs.

** Cruisemates.com
Cruising gets you more vacation for your dollar, but you have to know where to shop. Find out more at CruiseMates. Not a travel agency - just the Web's best cruise guide. Known for unbiased cruise reviews, feature articles, news and advice, CruiseMates is Consumer Reports recommended. Message boards, chat, polls, contests, humor, consumer advocate, singles, teens, gay, first-cruisers. CruiseMates means complete cruise information - and it's free!

> Your Opinion Matters

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