First, I think the economy may be picking up, at least travel vendors have hiked their spending on PR consulting firms, I received five pitches today.  My favorite?  “Would you like a travel source?  Let me know if you need some amazing deals to write about.”  Umm… if you have some amazing deals, maybe pitch those to me?  But don’t promise me amazing deals and tell me about United’s latest “fare sale.”

My second favorite?  Bank of America wants travelers to know you can do banking from your phone to – get this – check their balance to see whether they can afford to spend one more day in paradise.  Great, haven’t banks felt enough heat for encouraging irresponsible financial management lately?  “Gee, honey, let me check our bank balance on my phone.   Wow, I guess there’s enough money left for an airline change fee, another night’s hotel, and maybe some room service.  We’ll have to send the kids back early, though, because we can’t afford the rollaway bed or food for them.  Oh, college fund?  Mortgage?  We’ll worry about those next month.”

And while I love reader mail, and have been known on many an occasion to map out entire award itineraries for folks and even plan whole honeymoons gratis (because I care — but I’m also not great replying to email so frankly it’s just when and how you happen to catch me), if you’re going to email me asking me for mileage runs to fly 10,000 miles as cheaply as possible, please tell me what city you’re based in….