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The title of consumer advocate and travel journalist Christopher Elliott's brand new book leaves little to the imagination: How to Be the World's Smartest Traveler (and Save Time, Money, and Hassle) explains just that, with easily digestible travel tips gleaned from his two decades of reporting on the travel industry, the sort of advice that can help you get the best value for your dollar and avoid common mistakes while on the ground. Throughout, Elliott deploys real-life examples from his career as the ombudsman at National Geographic Traveler magazine to make his tips spring to life. Here, he shares even more travel advice.
The world's filled with travel advice, from handbooks to blogs. What sets your new book apart?
It's written by me! Do you know anyone else who has been answering reader questions and resolving real traveler complaints for as long as I have? I can't think of anyone crazy enough to devote a career to it, but if you find someone, please let me know. I want to buy that person a drink.
Your new book explains how to be the world's smartest traveler, but you insist that's not you. So who is the titular traveler?
It's not. I'm reminded of that whenever I travel. I still make all kinds of mistakes—and then I catch myself saying, "You know, I should have followed my own advice." Actually, I wrote a final chapter for the book, in which I interviewed the people I believe are the world's smartest travelers. Your very own Wendy Perrin is one of the experts featured in it. I'm working with my publisher to release the chapter as a bonus PDF, and to include it in the next edition. And you know there's going to be another edition.
Throughout the book, you drop clever, short tips like "make your decision before you arrive at the rental car counter" and "clear your cookies often when you're shopping for travel [online]." Any other tidbits you can share from the book?
I spend a lot of time talking about the value of planning ahead—finding a packing method, buying the right luggage, making lists, reading the fine print, checking weather and road conditions. The one thread that runs through all the advice, and maybe this isn't the sexiest thing to say, is, "Think about it before it can become a problem." For example, if you check to make sure your passport is valid in the country you're visiting a few months before you leave, you won't have to deal with the uncertainty of having the right paperwork for your trip. You'll know that you'll be allowed to cross the border.
Where do the real-world "cases" you include in the book come from? Walk us through your troubleshooting technique.
They're real problems that come to me via my consumer advocacy website or the Travelers United page. Travelers United is a membership organization dedicated to improving travel, which I co-founded. They also come from the newspapers that syndicate my columns.
The resolution process is fairly simple. If it's a legitimate complaint, I ask to see a paper trail of correspondence between the customer and the travel company. Most of the time, the original grievance is not in writing, but done by phone, which is almost always a mistake. You need something in writing.
If the company turns them down, we take it to an appeal—usually forwarding it to an executive. I list the names and emails of the executives on a special section on my website. If the answer is still "no" then I typically will ask the company to review the file one more time, to ensure they haven't missed something.
My resolutions process is very collaborate and non-confrontational, but as you probably know, feathers inevitably get ruffled. No company wants their mistakes showing up in the newspaper or online. My goal, as a consumer advocate, is to give the company every chance to ensure that doesn't happen—that they deal with a service problem at the outset, and that I don't have to get involved. Honestly, I'll be thrilled when the complaints stop coming in and I have the time to write the great American novel. Something tells me that'll never happen, but I'm hopeful.
Why do you suggest people never buy luggage in black?
Everyone owns black luggage. It's too easy to confuse at the conveyor belt. It's happened to me more than once.
****Are cruises a good way to get vacation value?
Yes, they are, but you have to be aware of the business model cruise lines use. Most cruise lines would lose money if they sold you a cabin and let you take your so-called all-inclusive cruise. They make money by upselling you when you get on board, with drinks, photos, premium meals, spa visits, and, of course, the casino. If you don't believe me, wake up early on the day of disembarkation, get yourself a cup of coffee, and sit next to the check-out area, where people are settling their bill. You'll hear one argument after another: "I never charged that to my room!" and "What's this on my bill?" That's where they getcha, right at the end.
What are your top three tips for saving money on travel?
Cast a wide net when you're shopping for any kind of travel, securing a price quotes from multiple sources, including the company directly. Visit when no one else goes—off-peak travel is a great way to save money. And don't forget travel agents. They can be a great resource for deals.
And what are your top three tips for saving hassle?
Plan ahead, consider using a travel agent, and… oh, I can't resist this one… buy my book.
** Any last tips to make us smarter travelers? And where should we turn if something, despite our best efforts, goes wrong on the road.**
The system usually works, if you know how to use it. Try to resolve any problem with a travel company in real time, not after you're back home. Employees have ways of addressing a problem as they're happening, but once you get home, often the best they can do is send a form apology. If a brief, polite email to a company doesn't do the trick, then you can turn to me for help. Seriously, I answer every email. You can publish mine if you want: It's elliottc@gmail.com.