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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
http://www.elliott.org

March 4, 2002

> Inside

* A New Profit Surcharge?
* Saving Money in San Francisco
* Homeless Columns
* Hawaii Fare Sale
* More Than a Low Fare
* Spring Broke
* Turn Off Your Phone
* Auto Europe's Savings
* Busy Traveler Tips
* Good Riddance to Bad Policy

> This Week in Travel

** A New Profit Surcharge?
When the price of jet fuel took off two years ago, the nation's air carriers imposed a controversial surcharge of up to $40 per roundtrip ticket to cover rising costs. Now petroleum prices are plummeting - a gallon of jet fuel costs about 55 cents, compared with 85 cents a year ago - but the energy surcharge is, by and large, still there. The airlines ought to tell us what the money is being used for. Read the details at http://www.elliott.org/vault/oped/2002/charge.htm

> By the Way

** Saving Money in San Francisco
Got any good Web sites that help you save money in the City by the Bay? If you do, send us an e-mail with your favorite URL (and why you like it). 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.

** Homeless Columns
Two of the columns in this newsletter - The Travel Troubleshooter and the Technologist - will be homeless again this summer. Regular newsletter readers know that this kind of thing isn't unusual, but it is unfortunate. If you know of a magazine, newspaper or Web site that is interested in carrying this timely, irreverently-written, meticulously-researched travel content, please send a note to editor@elliott.org. We'll keep you posted.

> Elliott's Cheap Travel Tip

** Hawaii Fare Sale
United Airlines is holding a fare sale between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii. Prices are as low as $384 each way, based on a roundtrip ticket, between New York and Honolulu. Tickets must be purchased at least seven days in advance of travel and require a three-day minimum stay. Book your trip before March 13 to take advantage of the discounts. Details at http://www.united.com

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

> Our Sponsor

** 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

> Elliott's Commentary

** More Than a Low Fare
Conventional wisdom says that price is the most important criteria for selecting an airline ticket. But the conventional wisdom might be wrong. According to a survey by Omega World Travel, a corporate travel agency based in Fairfax, VA, 82 percent of air travelers would pay more for a nonstop flight. Question is, when? In The Travel Tightwad at http://www.elliott.org/tightwad/2002/fare.htm

** Spring Broke
Some Web sites specializing in spring break travel are retroactively billing customers because of a "new" security surcharge. Are the fees for real or are the companies trying to make an extra buck? A reader wants to know. The Travel Troubleshooter investigates. Read the details in The Travel Troubleshooter at http://www.elliott.org/ask/2002/spring.htm

** Turn Off Your Phone
If you're a regular reader of The Travel Technologist, then you know this column is all about saving money when you use technology. But this week, in a departure from my regular theme, I'm going to tell you about how not using technology can save your life. I'm talking about the cell phone you've got clipped to your belt or tucked in your pocketbook. It looks harmless enough. But if improperly used, it can compromise safety. Check out The Travel Technologist at http://www.elliott.org/technology/2002/safe.htm

> There's much more 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.)

** Auto Europe's Savings
Every one of us, after using the Internet for some time, ends up returning time and again to the same sites. Maybe they are easier to navigate. Maybe they offer cheaper prices. Maybe the information is just better. After working in this field and writing about it for several years, Cheap Charlie has developed his list of favorites. He starts this week with his top car rental site. Read more of Charlie Leocha's column at http://www.ticked.com/cheapcharlie/2002/chauto.htm

** Busy Traveler Tips
Many frequent and hardcore travelers are extremely busy people. One type of traveler crams business and pleasure trips into single junkets. Another corrals an entire family through an itinerary that would kill a hardy donkey, let alone an exhausted working parent. Another type micromanages their trip down to the minute such that they're setting alarms at all times of day to keep them on schedule. Another (most often business travelers) just wants to leave office, family, and the comforts of home as late as possible, and to get back as early as possible. Ed Hewitt has the details on how to have a better trip at http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=383&category=13

** Good Riddance to Bad Policy
First, the news: The federal government began exerting some hands-on control of airport security last Sunday and one of the Transportation Security Administration's first acts was to abolish special security lines for elite frequent flyers and premium-class travelers. Although the phaseout has just begun, elite security lines have already disappeared at airports in Los Angeles, Seattle-Tacoma, Cincinnati and Salt Lake City. Second, the scold: Don't say Joe Brancatelli didn't warn you. Read more of Joe Brancatelli's column at http://www.zyworld.com/brancatelli/branc022102.htm

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

> Other Sponsors

** Bonjour Paris 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.

** Travel-Comments.com
How was your last trip? Go to Travel-Comments.com and talk about it. Travel-Comments.com is a new Web source for travelers and potential travelers to post and view comments about segments of their travel experience, whether it's air, car, hotel, cruise or restaurant. Visit http://www.travel-comments.com

** IndependentTraveler.com
IndependentTraveler.com includes a comprehensive travel resource center and travel planning guide featuring the best selection of travel bargains, practical travel tips, travel news, message boards and trip reports from other travelers. Sign up today for our free weekly newsletter for travel tips and bargains for you and your family. So log on to http://www.independenttraveler.com/?pid=16 and happy traveling!

** Breckenridge Ski Resort
Snow conditions are prime and there's no better time to explore our vibrant mountain town! Planning a visit? Pre-purchase lift tickets for savings of up to $12 per day or take three half-day ski or ride lessons for $99! Click on http://breckenridge.snow.com for details.

> 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

* Journeywoman - The premier travel resource for women on the Internet at http://www.journeywoman.com

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