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

August 4, 2003

>> Inside <<

* Happy Endings
* Airline Food Worth Paying For?
* Aren's Home Improvement
* How to Stay in a Hotel for Free
* Save Me a Seat
* Punish Me, United!
* Air Canada's Mileage Tax
* Prioritypass.com

>> First Off <<

** Happy Endings
Most articles in this newsletter, admittedly, start with a bad event - an unexpected surcharge or an unpleasant customer-service experience. But this week, while we're in the throes of vacation season, I'm pleased to report that not all trips end poorly. How do you turn the proverbial lemons into lemonade? Check out my story on how to stay in a hotel for free. Or Terry Riley's hilarious take on securing a seat at the airport. In Triprights.com, there's the story about how one United Airlines frequent traveler prevailed when the system told her "no." And speaking of happy "endings" - don't forget to answer our question this week about airline food.

>> Underwritten By <<

** Firstclassflyer.com
Fly first class for the price of coach. Looking for free and purchased upgrades, 2-for-1s and a fast-track to elite status strategies? Look no further...these hot deals and more are available at First Class Flyer's Web site. Secrets of first class air travel are revealed to you every month in "Mr. Upgrade's" newsletter. View a free sample.

>> By The Way <<

** Airline Food Worth Paying For?
Have you bought on-board cuisine lately? Is it any good? Which airline serves your favorite air fare - and which one serves the worst? Share you experience of decadence in the air with us. Send us an e-mail and include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** Aren's Home Improvement
On a personal note, we've heard from a lot of subscribers who noticed that Aren's blog hadn't been updated in a while. That's because the baby (and the rest of us) have been busy working on home improvement projects this summer. (There's nothing like shoveling rocks in the middle of August!) Now, at last, the site has been updated again.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** How to Stay in a Hotel for Free
Next time you stay at a hotel, get "comped." The "comp," which is industry jargon for getting a complimentary room for a night, is the ultimate hotel perk. A free room means you're someone special, like a frequent guest, a high-roller or just a really, really good negotiator. And free, as I explained in an earlier column on flying for nothing, is lot better than cheap. > Details in Power Trip.

> Spend Miles, Save Money
> A Guide to Hotel Doublespeak
> Four Best Hotel Chains

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** Save Me a Seat
As I walked through the airport concourse, I spied a vacant seat - perhaps the only place to sit in the crowded departure waiting area. I approached the unoccupied chair, smiled at the people sitting on either side, and spun around in preparation of planting my bottom on the waiting Naugahyde. But as I bent my knees, the woman on my right, in a daring maneuver, stuck her hand between the chair's seat and mine saying, "I'm sorry, this seat is taken." >> Read more in Terry Riley's column.

> Help, My Seat Won't Recline
> You've Been Through a Lot
> Bump-Proofing Your Seat

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** Punish Me, United!
She books a flight on United Airlines from Cedar Rapids, IA, to Amsterdam. The ticket agent tells her any change will cost $200, which is fine with her. But when she tries to switch schedules, the airline changes its tune. Now she stands to lose lots of money. What's going on here? And why did United suddenly add new restrictions to her ticket? > In Fix My Trip.

> United Won't Pay for My Hotel
> An Apple a Day Keeps United Away
> Lost Ticket in a Plane Crash

>> Memo of the Week <<

** Air Canada's Mileage Tax
You've gotta hand it to the airlines. When it comes to creative fees and surcharges, they have no rival. Consider Air Canada's recent announcement, which was sent to its best customers, that they'll have to pay $25 for each award ticket redemption made through its phone center. Kind of makes you wonder what it means by "with even more to come." > In Triprights.com Memo of the Week.

>> Site of the Week <<

** Prioritypass.com
Priority Pass is the world's largest independent airport lounge program and gives you access to over 400 airport VIP lounges in over 220 cities and 75 countries worldwide, regardless of class of travel, airline you are traveling with, membership of an airline lounge program.

> Site of the Week is brought to you by JohnnyJet.

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** Not2far.com
Where do you want to go on your next vacation? If you answered "not too far" then have we got the site for you. Not2far.com shows you the unfamiliar side to a familiar place - whether it's running with the dogs in Sun Valley, Id., or eating frogs in Fellsmere, Fla.

** International Living
Retire overseas. Learn about the world's six best places to live or retire. Live like royalty on $17 a day. Own an exotic beachfront getaway for $35,000. Or a romantic pied-a-terre for under $60,000. Enjoy fine restaurant dining for $7 per person. Employ a maid or gardener for $2 a day. Buy comprehensive health insurance for $20 per month. Get the details in your free report now.

** Plane Quiet
Plane Quiet active noise canceling headsets provides full-spectrum noise cancellation at an affordable price. Its revolutionary new product has been rated "Best Consumer Value" for travelers, and works with all airline entertainment systems, DVD players, mp3 players and laptop computers. Lightweight and foldable, Plane Quiet is your perfect choice for travel. It offers a 60 day money-back guarantee. Get an additional 10% off when you enter ELLIOTT in the coupon code.

>> Who's Reading Elliott's E-Mail? <<

* Demographics
* Average newsletter circulation - 15,270
* Last month's total unique visitors
Elliott.org - 40,139
Ticked.com - 26,939
Triprights.com - 12,331
Not2far.com - 3,530
Total E3 Network visitors - 82,939
Change from last month +3,372 visitors/230 subscribers

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