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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

February 24, 2003

>> Inside <<

* Of Two Minds
* What's So Funny?
* Elliott on Public Radio
* Five Flights of Fancy
* Leg Up on DVT
* Need to Know About Insurance
* Ramada Reneges on Room Rate
* Rental Car Overbookings: What to Do

>> First Off <<

** Of Two Minds
Travel - what's so good about it? It you said "nothing," then you'll like half of this week's newsletter, which is Ticked.com's rant about the things that make us sick about travel. But you might not agree with the "I love travel" issue of elliott.org, in which I take a look at the five best airline flights in the United States. Oh well, can't make everybody happy. On another note, I'm thrilled to announce that I've been asked to join the public radio show "The Savvy Traveler" as a regular contributor (details are just below).

>> Underwritten By <<

** Greatcruises.com
Disappointed with your last cruise? Planning your first cruise? Don't want to fly to and from your next cruise? Now, you too can be a well-informed cruiser. Subscribe to "All Cruise E-News," our free monthly e-mail cruise newsletter. You'll get breaking news on all the new ships being inaugurated this year, what cruises will be sailing from U.S. ports near you, recent price trends in cruising, cruise ship health and safety inspection results, family-friendly cruise lines, and much more to ensure that your next cruise will be "just right for you." Also, cruise tip of the month, important travel industry news, more.

>> By The Way <<

** What's So Funny?
Terrorism warnings. Snowstorms. War worries. There's nothing fun - or funny - about travel these days. Or is there? This week, we'd like to know if, during these dark days, there isn't something to smile about. Did a flight attendant crack a really funny joke on your last flight? Did a rental agent say something that made you laugh out loud? Share your jokes and anecdotes with us. Send us an e-mail and please include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** Elliott on Public Radio
This week, a new segment on public radio's The Savvy Traveler takes to the airwaves. Fix My Trip renders aid and comfort to travelers in need. In our first show, travel troubleshooter Christopher Elliott helps reverse one woman's $900 hotel bill. You can listen to the whole segment at now. By the way, if you have a trip you'd like fixed, send us an e-mail. Tell us what happened to you and what you've done to resolve it. Please include dates, names and your contact numbers.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** Five Flights of Fancy
The flight is smooth. The service is professional. Your fellow passengers are well-mannered, articulate and interesting. No, you haven't traveled back in time to board one of the great pre-deregulation carriers such as old Pan Am or TWA. You're probably on one of America's five best flights. How can I find five "best" flights to feature in a column? Are there that many? Yes, there are. > In bCentral's Power Trip.

> What's So Good About Travel?
> A Better Way to Buy a Cruise
> The Original 'Flight of Fancy': What We Miss


>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** Leg Up on DVT
Deep vein thrombosis. You've probably heard of it. If not, you've probably heard of the media term for it: economy class syndrome. Prior to September 11, it was gaining front-page and primetime, newspaper and television attention. It is a popular, bite-size, travel topic. (Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have heard of it for sure. They may be looking at $14 million in damages for failing to tell British travelers about its "dangers.") > Get the details in Err Travel.

> Tourist: I'm Sick of Travel Season
> Un-American Airlines Make Leocha Sick
> Help! I'm Sick of Running a Hotel


** Need to Know About Insurance
After a recent flight to the United States, a British airline employee had this to say: "None of these people have travel insurance - nutters!" When an airline employee, who in the event of trouble can get themselves shipped home within hours free of charge, thinks it essential to have travel insurance, it makes me wonder what the heck I'm doing tooling around the planet with only the specious airline Contract of Carriage, my own homeowner's insurance, and Blue Cross Blue Shield as a safety net. > Read more in Ed Hewitt's column.

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** Ramada Reneges on Room Rate
He finds an unbelievable rate on the Internet for a Ramada property in Florida. But when he checks in, the hotel refuses to honor the price. Then it won't let him speak with a supervisor. Can this hotel visit be saved? Find out. > In Fix My Trip.

** Rental Car Overbookings: What to Do
Rental car companies often overbook to cover no-shows, which means that sometimes you'll arrive at the rental counter to find that the company does not have the car you reserved available for you. Overbookings, while inconvenient, are completely legal. > In MyTravelRights.com.

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** TheTravelzine
Travel columnists from Sydney to Seattle are touting TheTravelzine as the top group for travel discussion. A wonderful source of information and friendship, TheTravelzine is part of the very popular non-commercial travelogue's Web site.

** M-Travel
The stock markets are down. The luster is off the dot-coms. But the application of mobile technology in the travel industry is alive and well. Although still in its infancy, mobile travel sales and services will be the biggest thing in wireless commerce. Visit the only Web site devoted exclusively to mobile communications and travel technology.

** JohnnyJet.com
Ever wish there were one site that listed every possible link to other travel-related Web sites? Johnny Jet.com does just that, and more. The site has links to practically everything you need to know that's travel-related. The site has been featured in over 100 major publications including: USA Today, Time, Fortune, New York Times, CNBC, MSNBC, and has been named "One of the top best money-saving Web sites for travel" by Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine. Sign up for Johnny Jet's free newsletter that has the week's travel news, tips, webcams, Web sites, and "where's Johnny Jet."

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

* Demographics
* Average newsletter circulation - 13,003
* Last month's total unique visitors
Elliott.org - 33,162
Ticked.com - 21,842
Triprights.com - 5,338
Total E3 Network visitors - 60,342

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