Read this week’s issue online or subscribe to the RSS feed.
In this issue …
• Vanishing fuel fees?
• An upside to high prices at the pump
• 8 things I like about Aloft Hotels
• When will fuel-related surcharges retreat? The answer is …
• How to reach yours truly
• Support this site
This issue of Elliott’s E-Mail is underwritten by Cheapflights.com, which lets you search and compare flights to find the lowest-priced airfare for your next trip. Get the details at Cheapflights.com.
FIRST | Random thoughts about the week in travel
Vanishing fuel fees? The blogosphere is abuzz about the prospect of lower fuel surcharges and fees, now that the price of energy is falling. But what’s really going to happen? Read this week’s issue to find out.
Burning question … death on the road. Have you ever had a friend, colleague or relative who has died while traveling? Please share your stories. Send me and please don’t forget to include your full name, city and occupation.
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Carrentals.co.uk, which provides the easiest and quickest way to search for car hire on the web. Our car rental search engine will compare the market in seconds and provide you with prices from up to 40 car hire suppliers. Cheap car hire is one search away!
SIGHTINGS | Noted Elliott appearances online and offline
Business class (almost) all the way — Anita Fancon and her husband want to fly from Tucson, Ariz., to Bordeaux, France in business class. They have the miles they need, and they’ve already cashed them in. But do they have the seats? American Airlines says they do, except on the flight from Dallas to London. Is there anything Fancon can do to secure the seats she’s already paid 180,000 miles for? (From The Troubleshooter)
An upside to high prices at the pump — Too bad gas prices are falling. While the rest of the world whined about the seemingly unstoppable rise in energy costs this summer, and the greedy oil companies that were probably to blame for them, we missed the other side of the story. (From MSNBC.com)
Underwater Legoland — When Legoland California opens its new underwater theme park, SEA LIFE, on Monday in Carlsbad, Calif., it may be closest thing we have to America’s first green theme park. (From Intelligent Travel)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by FirstClassFlyer.com, the only tool you need to fly first class for the price of coach — or close to it. Looking for free and purchased upgrades, two-for-ones and a fast-track to elite status strategies? Look no further than FirstClassFlyer.com
BLOGGED | New posts on Elliott’s Blog
Sky-high fuel surcharges stick despite sliding energy prices — Energy prices may be falling, but airline fuel surcharges are holding steady — if not rising. (From Elliott Blog)
8 things I like about Aloft Hotels — Aloft Hotels is billed as a new high-design/low-cost brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts. I stayed at one this weekend in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Here are eight things I like about it. (From Elliott Blog)
Los Angeles — There may be no better place to see Los Angeles than from Griffith Park Observatory. (From Elliott Blog)
Midwest Airlines charges passengers fare difference on flights it canceled — Desperate airlines do desperate things. For example, Midwest Airlines, which is downsizing itself out of existence, has apparently decided to bend one of the most basic rules of modern airline travel. (From Elliott Blog)
How much more outrageous can those outragous airline fees get? — When it comes to airline fees, how much worse can it get? Much worse, apparently. (From Elliott Blog)
Elliott’s E-Mail is also underwritten by Skooba Design, designers of top-rated, award-winning cases and accessories for laptops and other tech/travel gear. Named “best buy” by a major independent consumer magazine, as well as leading technology, travel and general interest publications. Elliot’s E-Mail Subscribers get 20 percent off, plus free shipping (UPS Ground/48 States) on all Skooba Design orders of $50 or more. Just enter coupon code ELLIOTT20 at checkout. Some restrictions apply. Here are the details.
ON TRIPSO | Blog postings from the last honest travel site.
When will fuel-related surcharges retreat? The answer is … — There’s a lively debate in the blogosphere about when the travel industry will withdraw some of the fees imposed after fuel prices took off earlier this year. With energy prices on a downward trajectory, shouldn’t the surcharges be evaporating, too? (From Tripso)
Mileage devaluation letter offends frequent fliers — How did American Airlines spin its decision to start charging more miles and “co-payments” for certain upgrades? Not very well, based on the reaction to an email sent to its best customers yesterday. (From Tripso)
TALKBACK | How to sound off about this site
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BECOME AN UNDERWRITER | How to support Elliott
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