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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

July 21, 2003

>> Inside <<

* Not 2 Far
* Data Disasters!
* Travelfox.com Mauls Comedy Competition
* Best and Worst Car Rental Companies
* Eurosnob Alert
* Pilfered Luggage on Air Jamaica
* Why Hal Did It

>> First Off <<

** Not 2 Far
Where do you want to go on your next vacation? If you answered "not too far" we've got just the Web site for you. Our regular "Destination of the Week" feature has morphed into its own Web site dedicated to showing you an unfamiliar side to a familiar place. Recent surveys suggest more people are vacationing closer to home than ever. They want the familiar - but they don't want to be bored. Check out Not2far.com for archives of previous destination stories, plus photos and new information about interesting places and how to get there.

>> Underwritten By <<

** 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.

>> By The Way <<

** Data Disasters!
The laptop crashed. The hard drive gave up the ghost. The e-mail got lost in cyberspace. Has that ever happened to you while you were on the road? If so, please share your stories of data loss (and recovery) while you're traveling. Also, how important is good, accurate data while you're away? Has data loss every cost you a sale or translated into an economic disaster as well? Send us an e-mail and include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

** Travelfox.com Mauls Comedy Competition
Ticked.com contributor Terry Riley continues to lampoon the travel industry with his latest effort, the hilarious spoof-site Travelfox.com. This week, he reports on a Transportation Security Administration "announcement" that passengers may now decide for themselves whether or not to remove their shoes before going through airport metal detectors. (The agency still requests that passengers not remove their shirts or underwear.)

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** Best and Worst Car Rental Companies
Hertz. Avis. National. These are the three best car rental companies on wheels - at least according to a consensus of customer surveys and my own customer interviews. I thought I'd get that out of the way first, because it's the easiest (and easily the most important part) of this column. Where should you rent your next car from? Hertz, Avis and National. In that order. > Details in Power Trip.

> Escape from Car Rental Traps
> Steer Clear of Car Surcharges
> Car Rentals on the Skids

> Hear Elliott discuss vacation travel discounts on Public Radio's 'Sound Money'.

>> Ticked.com Talk <<

** Eurosnob Alert
It's been that time of year again. The time when, notwithstanding the threat of terrorism, many American vacationers packed eastbound airplanes to make their initial assault on Europe. Despite standing in line for hours to enter the Uffizi, or discovering that Portuguese drivers frequently make three traffic lanes from two, or having their wallets lifted in the Paris metro, for many Americans a trip to Europe is seen as a right of passage into the mainstream of vacationdom. > Read more in Terry Riley's column.

> Upscale to Europe
> A Continental ISP Dilemma
> Here and 'Therr'

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** Pilfered Luggage on Air Jamaica
On a stopover in Montego Bay on Air Jamaica, he discovers his luggage has been broken into. Bags are torn, locks are broken, and personal belongings have been rummaged through and stolen, adding up to about $850 in lost or damaged goods. Now the airline is giving him the run-around on his baggage claim. What to do? > In Fix My Trip.

> Trust No One
> Is Delta Out of 'Line'
> Lost Ticket in a Plane Crash

>> Memo of the Week <<

** Why Hal Did It
American Express, the nation's largest travel agency, has announced it is acquiring Rosenbluth International, the fifth-largest agency in the U.S. Why did Hal Rosenbluth do what in his own words, "many thought unthinkable" and sell to his archrival? In the following letter to his clients, the CEO tries to explain. (Remember, if you have a letter or memo you'd like us to publish, please e-mail it to us.) > In Memo of the Week.

>> Also Underwritten By <<

** 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.

** Journeyware.com
Exceptional luggage, business/tech cases and travel accessories from leading brands like Travelpro, Lewis N. Clark, RoadWired and more. Great prices, free shipping with low minimums, and a level of customer service that oft-abused frequent travelers will find especially refreshing. Enter coupon code ELLIOTT and click "update" at checkout for an additional 10% off your first order.

** The Travel Centre Limited
Come to Trinidad and Tobago. Come to Life. Experience a different kind of Caribbean Calendar! No other country has created such gifts for its visitors - Carnival, Calypso, Soca, Steelpan. As Trinidad and Tobago's leading and most experienced travel-management company, and the local American Express Franchisee, The Travel Centre is dedicated to making you feel special with our unsurpassed service and expertise, unmatched in our local market. We can handle your every travel need.

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

* Demographics
* Average newsletter circulation - 15,040
* Last month's total unique visitors
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Ticked.com - 24,673
Triprights.com - 12,820
Total E3 Network visitors - 79,567
Change from last month +2,561 visitors/575 subscribers

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