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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

December 7, 2003

>> Inside <<

* Tearing Down The Wall
* Laptop-Friendly Hotel?
* Thank You, Travel Agents
* The Troubleshooter Continues
* What Travelers Really Want
* Hotels Add Surcharges
* Daly on Savvy Traveler
* Guy Travel Tips
* Burned by Hotwire?

>> First Off <<

** Tearing Down The Wall
Whether you agree or disagree with what I write, you can't deny that I have a right to express my opinion - as long as it's backed up by hard facts. In a perfect world, if I get my facts wrong, you've got the right to call the publication in which the commentary appears and request a correction. But it's not a perfect world, as I discovered last week, when USA Today dropped my consumer-advocacy travel column. The circumstances surrounding my dismissal are unusual, to say the least. They also raise troubling questions about the extent to which advertisers influence what you read - and whether there is a real "wall" left between editorial and advertising. Details are on this week's blog.

>> Underwritten By <<

** EasyTravelAir
The must-have travel accessory If you've fumbled with your ID while taking off your shoes and coat, emptying your pockets, and removing your computer, you'll find getting through airport security a lot simpler and less stressful with the Security Pouch. Purchase the travel-warrior-tested Security Pouch online special only $10 or call (800) 282-1469 to order at $14.99 each. Order now.

>> By The Way <<

** Laptop-Friendly Hotel?
Ever stayed at a hotel where you thought your laptop computer was as important a guest as you were? Hotels now offer everything from high-speed Internet access to PC "valets" to help you get connected and stay productive. What's your favorite story of being on the road with your computer? Send us an e-mail and include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** Thank You, Travel Agents
Those of you who follow my blog know it's been a rough week for this travel critic. But of the many calls and e-mails of support I've received - from fellow travel writers, readers and even airline publicists - the ones that almost literally brought me to tears were the ones I got from travel agents. I've never been shy about criticizing agents in the past - and they've never been shy about saying something when they didn't like what I wrote. But last week, when it appeared as if an airline had orchestrated my dismissal as a USA Today columnist, there was a genuine sense of solidarity with the agents. I won't ever forget that.

** The Troubleshooter Continues
I've received many questions from readers about the fate of the Travel Troubleshooter. No worries - the column will continue to run, as it has since 1999, on my site under the Travel Troubleshooter banner, and on Ticked.com and Triprights.com. (This week, find out about a traveler who says she was burned by Hotwire.) And if you have a travel problem you'd like me to fix, please send it to me. I promise, I'll do the best I can to solve it for you - even if it costs me my job.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** What Travelers Really Want
Make my trip more comfortable. Lose the surprise surcharges. And treat me like a human being, for cryin' out loud. When I asked what you wanted from a travel experience, that's what you said. But your answers in interviews represent more than an abstract wish-list. The way these simple requests have been implemented by the travel industry - but more often, not implemented - offer an example from which any business can learn. > Details in Power Trip.

** Hotels Add Surcharges
In order to make up for lost revenues, hotels are quietly adding surcharges to their bills. > Get the details on NPR's Day to Day.

** Daly on Savvy Traveler
Maybe you've probably read about Rosemary Daly and her four-year battle to get US Airways to process her luggage claim. Now, hear what happened in her own words. > On Public Radio's The Savvy Traveler.

> Why did USA Today jettison its airline critic? Plus, why Orbitz should cancel its planned initial public offering. It's all on Elliott's Travel Notes.

> This week's blog entry can be found here.

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** Guy Travel Tips
I'm here to help you travel smarter, travel safer, and travel with more confidence through lessons learned from the misadventures of others. Well, I have adopted seven habits that I've learned from my own misadventures so I thought I'd pass them along to other men. (Actually, I found nine habits, but from popular psycho-kings like Ken Blanchard and Dr. Phil, there seems to be something magic about "7.") > Read more in Err Travel.

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** Burned by Hotwire?
Don't worry, a customer is told by Hotwire when she types in the wrong date for an airline ticket. Your reservation never went through. But no - it turns out it did get processed. And now she's out of luck. Or is she? Are tickets booked on Hotwire really that inflexible? Get the surprising answer, and find out if this story has a happy ending. > In Fix My Trip.

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** Noble Vintages
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** DreamofItaly.com
Discriminating travelers with a passion for Italy finally have a timely resource for planning their next visit to the land of la dolce vita. Dream of Italy is a new, bi-monthly subscription travel newsletter available by mail or on the Internet. Each issue is packed with the latest news and insiders' advice on Italian travel and culture. For a free sample copy or to subscribe, visit the site or call 877-OF-ITALY (toll-free).

** EasyTravelAir
The must-have travel accessory If you've fumbled with your ID while taking off your shoes and coat, emptying your pockets, and removing your computer, you'll find getting through airport security a lot simpler and less stressful with the Security Pouch. Purchase the travel-warrior-tested Security Pouch online special only $10 or call (800) 282-1469 to order at $14.99 each. Order now.

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

* Demographics
* Average newsletter circulation - 17,423
* Last month's total unique visitors
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Triprights.com - 9,316
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Total E3 Network visitors - 81,897

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