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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

November 30, 2003

>> Inside <<

* About Last Week ...
* Annoying Passengers?
* The Bumping Bribe
* Rewards Denied on Amex
* Time to Stand and Fight

>> First Off <<

** About Last Week …
Most of us think of Thanksgiving week as a quiet time. Some of us count on it. When no one is paying attention to the news, a company like Orbitz - which continues to lose money - files yet again for an initial public stock offering. An airline with a history of harassing reporters who are critical of its questionable business practices tries, and nearly succeeds, in getting yours truly fired from a key outlet (more about that in next week's blog). And Virgin's Richard Branson all but reveals he's about to absorb part of US Airways and start Virgin USA, which likely will be based at LAX. If you missed it, don't worry - I've got it covered.

>> Underwritten By <<

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>> By The Way <<

** Annoying Passengers?
OK, here's your chance to sound off about the irritating things passengers do. Ever sat next to someone on a plane who was just unbearable? Did they snore? Drool? Talk too much? How about on a car trip? Have you ever had to spend hours on the road with someone you couldn't stand? And how did you stop them from doing that annoying thing? Send us an e-mail and include your full name, city, and what you do for a living.

>> Elliott's Commentary <<

** The Bumping Bribe
Most airlines are getting away with a business practice that no other industry could: stiffing customers. They've been able to do this because they've developed a reward that is so enticing that customers feel compensated despite being the victims of an egregious practice. The airline industry is fond of filling its planes beyond capacity and then paying off the displaced passengers with free food, hotel rooms and money. At no time of the year is this "bump" bribe more visible than now, during the busy holiday travel season that begins this week with Thanksgiving. During the fourth quarter of last year, a total of 10,928 airline passengers were denied boarding, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. > Details in Opinion.

> Was the US Airways bailout a mistake? Plus, what hotel industry practice does the Washington Post call "highway robbery"? It's all on Elliott's Travel Notes.

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

>> Triprights.com Ticker <<

** Rewards Denied on Amex
He uses his American Express points to rent a car in France. A Budget representative tells him his voucher is good in Europe, but when he arrives - surprise! - it isn't. Now he wants a refund on the points he couldn't use. Is this a case for the Travel Troubleshooter? > In Fix My Trip.

** Time to Stand and Fight
Southwest Airlines recently announced plans to begin service from Philadelphia, a fortress hub for high-cost carrier US Airways. Here's how the airline's CEO responded in a letter to his employees - and a reaction from one of the carrier's labor leaders, Perry L. Hayes. Many thanks to our friends at US Airways who shared these important memos with us. > In Triprights.com's Memo of the Week.

(Remember, if you have a letter or memo you'd like us to publish, please e-mail it to us Your submission is completely anonymous.)

>> Also Underwritten By <<

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** EasyTravelAir
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