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Credit card charges gone wild: “international transaction fee” added to Puerto Rico purchase

Posted by: Christopher Elliott  /  Category: CHARGE, CREDIT CARD, Elliott Blog, INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION FEE, STATE FARM
Now it's gone too far.


First look: Life in the CityCenter

Posted by: Christopher Elliott  /  Category: ARIA, CITYCENTER, Elliott Blog, LAS VEGAS, STRIP
After spending a day as a guest at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, I said to myself: "I could live here."


Hot in-state air deals from Era Alaska

Posted by: scott  /  Category: Channel 2, Consumer, Era Aviation, Frontier Flying Service, Hageland, KTUU, merger, NBC, Videos

LAST-MINUTE for travel through Jan. 11 (Monday). Available ONLY at Flyera.com.

  • Anchorage-Kodiak                  $279RT
  • Anchorage-Kenai                    $149RT
  • Anchorage-Homer                  $179RT
  • Anchorage-Valdez                  $199RT
  • Anchorage-Fairbanks             $219RT
  • Anchorage-Barrow                 $369RT
  • Anchorage-Aniak                    $299RT
  • Anchorage-Bethel                  $339RT
  • Anchorage-Cordova               $229RT
  • Fairbanks-Barrow                  $369RT

Plus, check the video from Channel Two (KTUU) that talks about the merger of four airlines into one: Era Alaska.

“How can this possibly be legal?”

Posted by: Christopher Elliott  /  Category: CONNECTION, Elliott Blog, JFK, LGA, travelocity
At first glance, Deanna Dawkins' flight itinerary from Jacksonville, Fla., to London looked perfectly normal. There was only a change of plane in New York, according to Travelocity.


What’s new on Elliott: Post-holiday bargains, 10 Twitter users worth following, and what is the TSD?

Posted by: Christopher Elliott  /  Category: Elliott's E-Mail
10 Twitter users worth following. Plus, what to do with the post-holiday bargains, and what is the TSD?


Am I in the Terrorist Screening Database?

Posted by: Christopher Elliott  /  Category: DHS, Elliott Blog, southwest airlines, TERRORIST, tsa
One of the most disturbing aspects of the whole subpoena unpleasantness over the New Year's holiday is that the agents who came to my colleague Steve Frischling's home allegedly threatened to revoke some of his security clearance. I wondered if they might do the same thing to me, perhaps adding my...


UPDATE: TSA=Abject (redacted)=FUBAR

Posted by: scott  /  Category: Christopher Elliott, Consumer, Flying with Fish, FUBAR, journalist, leak, mission-creep, SD-1544-09-06, Steven Frischling, tsa, unAmerican

Update. The TSA, in its wisdom, has retreated from its untenable demand that travel blogger Christopher Elliott reveal his confidential sources. T he TSA showed up at Elliott’s house a couple of nights ago and demanded he (Elliott) hand over the information.

Naturally, the TSA is embarrassed in retrospect by its blow-hard security theater reactions to the Christmas Crotch Bomber from Nigeria.

Here is a link to Elliott’s blog, where the TSA deems the subpoena is “no longer necessary”. Whoo-boy.

Yoga=Good

Posted by: scott  /  Category: anchorage, Consumer, Laughing Lotus, Yoga

Yoga is good–and it’s good for you! Don’t take my word for it, tho’, Stop in and visit my friends Kim and Svia at Laughing Lotus here in Anchorage.

Laughing Lotus, in addition to a full schedule of regular classes, hosts  a series of workshops. Hey, people. Branch out in your Yoga-ness. Try something new. I did! HA!

a. Intro to Kashmiri Yoga, with Tanya Gonnason. 1/10/10. 6-8pm  $25. Work with the tactile sense, eliminate resistances in the spinal column, work with postures (asanas) to de-condition the body of poor alignment.
b. African Drum Workshop, with Jesse Wright and Johnnie Wright. Each Tue.,1/12-2/9/10, 8–9:15pm $90. Lift your spirits: learn traditional African drumming.  Two great drummers! No experience necessary.  Bring your drum.  If you don’t have one, let us know when you call to register.
c. African Fuzion Dance Workshop. Misha Morgan and Johnnie Wright.
1/14-2/11/10, 8-9:15pm $90. An African Dance Celebration full of learning, LIVE music and heart-pumping fun.  Here, step-by-step, we will explore dances rooted in the rich fabric of African culture.

When you visit the studio, buy a square in the pool to guess the time/date/gender of Svia’s baby-to-be. In this picture, she bares all in her quest to raise money for the charity (I forget the name). Something to do with kids–I remember that part.

Do you love Seattle?

Posted by: scott  /  Category: 2-for-1, argosy cruises, Consumer, Kenmore Air, Seattle TourSaver, shopping, Victoria CLipper

I do. In fact–everyone I know loves to visit the Emerald City. Whether it’s for shopping, fine restaurants, Pike Place Market, a trip to Victoria–or a Seahawks game–everybody loves Seattle.

That’s why we love the Seattle TourSaver, the handy 2-for-1 book with more than 100 2-for-1 travel coupons. Everything you want to do in Seattle is 2-for-1. Just purchase the book online today for $79.95 and start saving.

Remember, EVERYTHING is 2-for-1. That includes accommodations, activities, attractions….everything. You can recoup your initial investment with one or two coupons!

Here are some highlights:

  • a. 2-for-1 Seattle Aquarium
  • b. 2-for-1 Seattle Art Museum
  • c. 2-for-1Victoria Clipper hi-speed ferry to Victoria, BC
  • d. 2-for-1 Argosy Cruises
  • e. 2-for-1 Kenmore Air
  • f. 2-for-1 Hop on, hop off Gray Line City Tour (VERY popular!)
  • g. 2-for-1 Future of Flight Museum (where they assemble the 787!) at Paine Field
  • h. 2-for-1 Museum of Flight at Boeing Field
  • i. 2-for-1 air fare between Seattle and Portland with Seaport Air!
  • j. 2-for-1 Seattle Food Tours in Pike Place Market
  • k. 2-for-1 Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands
  • l. 2-for-1 Ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC
  • m. 2-for-1 Accommodations at Homewood Suites in downtown Seattle

…and much, much more. Check out the details online at Seattletoursaver.com and order today!

Disney Deals!

Posted by: scott  /  Category: Adventure, Consumer, Disney, Disneyland, Kids Fly Free, Lodging, Parks, shopping, USTravel

Who’s our Disney Girl at USTravel? Melinda, that’s who. And there are some great “KIDS FLY FREE” Disney offers now available for travel between now and Apr. 30, 2010.

a. Buy three nights and get two nights free.

b. Purchase your Disneyland Park Hopper ticket in advance for savings of up to $80.

c. One child (age 2-11) flies free with each adult (age 18+). Valid into Orange County, LAX, Long Beach or San Diego airport. No travel is permitted Feb. 18, 19, 22, Mar. 19, 21, 26, 28, Apr. 2-5, 2010.

Call USTravel today and lock in your “Kids Fly Free” offer to Disneyland. Call (907)561-2434 or (800)544-2217.