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

January 11, 2002

> Inside

* A Futile Ticket Tax
* Early Delivery
* No Time to Save?
* Vanguard Winter Fare Sale
* Travel 'Fatigue' Deals
* Is My Voucher Valid?
* Film Buffs Save Money
* Unsung Heroes
* Single Travelers Get Smart
* Our Own Worst Enemy
* Don't Overpay on Priceline

> This Week in Travel

** A Futile Ticket Tax
Starting next month, the price of your airline ticket will increase by $10. It's a small price to pay for a new government-run airport security infrastructure created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, supporters say. That may be true, but the ticket tax won't help tighten aviation security. Instead, it just funnels more government aid to the airlines. Read the whole story at http://www.elliott.org/vault/oped/2002/tax.htm

> By the Way

** Early Delivery
This week's issue of Elliott's E-Mail is being sent a few days early. The next issue will be published on Monday, January 21.

** No Time to Save?
Ever turned down a cheaper fare or hotel room in favor of a more expensive one? Why did you do it? Was it a more convenient itinerary, a more comfortable room? When are you better off not saving on travel? Let us know. 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

** Vanguard Winter Fare Sale
Vanguard Airlines is throwing a winter fare sale, with tickets discounted by 20 percent for travel through March 6. These discounts are available at http://www.flyvanguard.com or by calling 1-800-VANGUARD or your local travel agent. Reservations must be made by January 24.

> Got a moneysaving tip? Send it to tip@elliott.org <

> Our Sponsor

** MilesLink Voices
If you rely on Randy Petersen's WebFlyer site for timely news and information about mileage programs, you'll want to sign up for MilesLink Voices, a new electronic newsletter published in conjunction with Ticked.com. It features the sharpest opinions about travel delivered twice a month to MilesLink subscribers. Click on http://webflyer.com/newsletters/newsletter.htm

> Elliott's Commentary

** Travel 'Fatigue' Deals
It's only a few minutes into the 10-hour flight from Vienna to Washington and already I'm thinking, "Please just send me to the cargo hold." At least the freight doesn't have to put up with a middle seat, with surly flight attendants, with screaming infants (one on each side), or a headset and video screen that are short-circuiting. At least the payload on Air Murphy has 10 hours of peace and quiet, and probably more legroom than my bulkhead seat offers. In The Travel Tightwad at http://www.elliott.org/tightwad/2002/fatigue.htm

** Is My Voucher Valid?
He voluntarily gave up a seat on TWA. But then TWA became AA, and American's site is less than forthcoming about the validity of the flight voucher. Travel troubleshooter Chris Elliott finds out if a reader's TWA voucher is worth the paper it's printed on - or just another broken airline promise. Read the details in The Travel Troubleshooter at http://www.elliott.org/ask/2002/voucher.htm

** Film Buffs Save Money
James Lick avoids some of the worst entertainment programming on earth and saves money at the same time by traveling with his portable computer. "I use my laptop to watch movies on the plane," says the Santa Clara, Calif., systems administrator. Not only does it save him $6 on a headset rental, but it also lets him choose which movie to watch, and when to watch it. "The 15-inch screen is also much better than the fuzzy six-inch screen in [the seatback]." Check out The Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2002/film.htm

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

> Ticked.com Talk

(Note: Some of these URLs are long and may break up in your e-mail program. If they do, just cut and paste them into your browser, or go directly to http://www.ticked.com and follow the hard links.)

** Unsung Heroes
Airline flight attendants are the country's unsung heroes in our current "War on Terrorism." Immediately after the World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorism events, the media was filled with stories about "real heroes" - rescuers, police and firefighters who risked their lives to save workers in those buildings. But today, every time a plane takes off, every time a passenger stands up and walks toward the cockpit, and every time a passenger ducks behind their seat to pick through carryon luggage out of sight, flight attendants are on high alert. Read more of Charlie Leocha's column at http://www.ticked.com/cheapcharlie/2002/chattendant.htm

** Single Travelers Get Smart
Nearly one in four American adults have taken a vacation by themselves in the past three years, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. Despite the popularity of solo travel, the travel industry has been slow to cater to the needs of this increasing group, says USA Today's Kathy McCabe. Case in point: The standard practice of forcing solo travelers to pay a "single supplement," often 50 to 100% more than an individual traveling with a companion. The reasoning for the additional fee is that one person occupying a room meant for two travelers is costing the tour company the profit on that missing person. Read more of Kathy's story at http://www.usatoday.com/life/travel/column/informed-traveler.htm

** Our Own Worst Enemy
This week's column is written in anger and exasperation, says Ed Hewitt. On a recent cross-country flight over New Year's that took him to one major airport (JFK) and one small airport (Long Beach, CA), he witnessed behavior by my fellow travelers that so incensed, dumbfounded, and flabbergasted him that he predicts now that he'll finish this column in one sitting of vitriol and righteous anger. But when it comes to getting the things that seem to matter most to travelers: speedy, courteous movement, he says this: Traveler, you are your own worst enemy. Read more of Ed's story at http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=381&category=13

** Don't Overpay on Priceline
A reader recently took Ed Perkins to task for recommending Priceline as a good way to arrange a hotel room at a good price. This reader had paid almost $200 through Priceline for a room that should have cost about $40, and he was enraged. Although this was a particularly egregious case, Perkins know that many travelers overpay through Priceline. Here's how to make sure you don't. Read more of Ed's story at http://www.smarterliving.com/columns/ed/Using20020110.1.html

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

> Other Sponsors

** Alaska Travelgram
Scott McMurren's Alaska Travelgram e-mail newsletter. Punchy, timely information on travel in, out and around Alaska! For a free subscription, click on http://www.alaskatravelgram.com

** 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.

** 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.

> 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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