elliott.org

Missed flight penalty: American Airlines charges $742 to student delayed by customs

Christopher Elliott — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:52:45 +0000

Call it the "missed flight" penalty. Katerina Naumenko, a medical student in Grenada, had to shell out an extra $742 when she missed a connecting flight in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Christopher Elliott — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:38:41 +0000

Look closely. This is a breakdown of available rooms by hotel size, courtesy of the American Hotel & Lodging Association's latest industry profile. It clearly shows that most of the room inventory in America can be found at the small- and medium-size properties.

“I was flabbergasted, but they said there was nothing they can do”

Christopher Elliott — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:38:11 +0000

When it comes to online booking horror stories, Lisa O’Brien deserves an award. The online agency and airline that tried to help her does not.

Which airline makes the most from luggage fees?

Christopher Elliott — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:28:07 +0000

That would be American Airlines, according to the latest government-reported numbers for 2009. The rest of the list may surprise you even more.

Now that’s a classy hotel: Banff Fairmont saves ruined vacation

Christopher Elliott — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:43:50 +0000

Jim Kohlman almost lost his entire vacation on a technicality. And he would have, were it not for the help of a hotel that understands the hospitality business.

What’s new on Elliott? Free your luggage, almost free iPhone apps and a tour of a chocolate factory

Christopher Elliott — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:01:00 +0000

Find out how to avoid annoying luggage fees, check out another honeymoon horror story and tour a chocolate factory in Daytona Beach, Fla.

This could have turned out very badly

Christopher Elliott — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:29:49 +0000

It's every parent's worst nightmare: Your 11-year-old son is scheduled to fly home on his own, but on the eve of his departure, the airline tells him his ticket is no good. Specifically, he has no ticket. It happened to Meera Gopalan this weekend.

5 almost free iPhone apps you absolutely must take on your next trip

Christopher Elliott — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:48:20 +0000

There are more than 50,000 iPhone applications out there, accounting for over a billion downloads. Hard to pick just a handful to take on your next trip, isn't it? No worries.

Should the travel industry end its war on smokers?

Christopher Elliott — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:13:55 +0000

Haven’t smokers suffered enough already? You can’t help but wonder when you talk with someone like Efrin Knight, a French professor from Miami who enjoys an occasional cigar.

After dark at The Shores

Christopher Elliott — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:46:02 +0000

The Shores Resort & Spa is just a few miles south of Daytona Beach, Fla., but it might as well be half a world away, at least tonight. This is the quiet time of year — months removed from the Daytona 500, Bike Week, and a certain event that begins with an “s”. The Shores is...