What are the little secrets your airline keeps?

What you need to know this week 

What are the little secrets your airline keeps? The government is about to force air carriers to tell you. I explain in my USA Today column. 

Who are the best couples travel bloggers? It's time for you to tell us! Vote now. Plus, there's still time to cast your ballot for best family travel bloggers, favorite videographer, and top theme park blogger. 

The top Twitter traveler is ... You'll never guess. Here are the winners. 

Become the world's smartest traveler. Buy my new book, How To Be The World's Smartest Traveler, and you'll never have another bad trip. (And if you do, you know where to find me, right?) 

Thank you, Cheapflights.com Cheapflights.com is dedicated to simplifying consumers' search, publishing great deals and also providing them with the best travel guides. Get more information atCheapflights.com, or if you're in the UK, try Cheapflights.co.uk. We're grateful to Cheapflights for supporting the consumer advocacy on this site and newsletter. 

This week's burning question 

Burning question: "Me first" attitudes? In your summer travelers, have you come across any fellow passengers with a "me first" attitude? You know the kind of people who push ahead of you in line, demand VIP treatment and marginalize your needs? I'd love to include your story in an upcoming column. Here's my email address. 

Bonus question: Increasingly, travel companies are billing their customers for damage to cars and hotels, and the only way to prove the damage existed previously is to show "before" photos. I'm working on story about how to take the most effective photos that will help you prove your innocence, when it comes to these claims. If you're a shutterbug or know a thing or two about photography, please chime in. Here's how to get in touch with me. 

The latest news from Elliott 

"It is so unjust to poison someone and get off scot-free” 
Lynn Friedman's daughter, Emma, became violently ill during her family vacation to Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun. When she returned to the States, she was hospitalized for five days. 

Who really benefits from "custom” airfares?
Mention a "custom” airfare to Joan Eisenstodt, and she'll admit that she's worried. 

Has JetBlue changed its stripes?
Jennifer Devereaux is no longer angry at JetBlue Airways for what happened to her 3-year-old daughter, Summer, on a recent flight. 

Caught in a loop with Expedia
When Peter Hodges' flight to Norway is canceled, United promises him a prompt refund. But he never gets it. 

Help! DirecTV is holding my TV hostage
After a series of technical problems and a move, Sean Reeves ends up with a DirecTV contract he never asked for. Can he get out of it without paying 

"It's amazing to me that Enterprise can get away with this”
You've probably heard Karen Moyer's story before. 

Let's talk 

I'm listening. The stories you see in this newsletter are just a starting point. I hope you'll take a minute to leave a comment, whether you agree or disagree with something I've written. Let's continue the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Google. I'm listening. And of course, I'm also here if you need me. Here's my email address.

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