Maybe you’ve noticed that we use real names in the stories we publish on this site. And maybe you’ve also wondered why we do that. Shouldn’t people be able to air their grievances with a company without having to disclose their full name? Read more “Why we use real names in our stories”
United Airlines flight credit: How to make the most of it after the pandemic
The clock is ticking on Bernadine Fong’s sizable United Airlines flight credit, which she acquired during the pandemic. Around this time last year, she booked two business class tickets to Europe for a dream vacation. But that was before the coronavirus ruined everyone’s summer plans for 2020.
With the pandemic entering year two, Fong worries her nearly $11,000 flight credit with United Airlines is in jeopardy. Now she wants to know what to do to make sure to make the most of it before it expires. Read more “United Airlines flight credit: How to make the most of it after the pandemic”
An Air Canada mistake caused me to be detained in Korea — for two weeks!!
Last August, an Air Canada agent made a mistake that set off a terrible chain of events for Sarahy Sigie Reyes. The end result? Sigie was detained in South Korea for 15 days against her will and at her own expense.
Now Sigie and her husband want the Elliott Advocacy team to convince Air Canada to pay for its agent’s mistake. But with the carrier routinely refusing to refund passengers even when required to do so, can we succeed?
We’ve reported on some pretty egregious happenings across the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic. However, after reading about Sigie’s experience, I think you’ll agree that her tale is the worst of all. (Good news update March 2 🙂 ) Read more “An Air Canada mistake caused me to be detained in Korea — for two weeks!!”
What can you do if you sent money to a stranger by mistake?
What if you sent $500 to a stranger by mistake and that person refused to give back your money? That’s the shocking situation in which Rossin Asilo recently found herself.
Using the money transfer app Zelle for the first time, Asilo made a simple typo entering her friend’s phone number. That error dropped the cash intended for a memorial donation into the wrong person’s bank account. Unfortunately, that stranger appears to view the transaction as a $500 windfall and will not return the money.
Now Asilo is hoping that the Elliott Advocacy team can find a way to get her money back. But that request might just prove to be an impossible task.
Warning: If you’re an honest person, I guarantee that this story will make you angry. (Updated Feb 27) Read more “What can you do if you sent money to a stranger by mistake?”
The uncomfortable truth about travel, vaccines, tests and mask requirements
If you’re going to travel during the pandemic, you need to make certain you know the latest vaccine, test and mask requirements. It’s a confusing time. 70,000 new cases a day is nothing to sneeze at — but even so, planes are full, vacation rentals are overbooked, and spring break is in full swing.
And you have questions — lots of questions.
You want to know if it’s safe out there, if you have to wear a mask if you need to get vaccinated. Here are the answers.
Read more “The uncomfortable truth about travel, vaccines, tests and mask requirements”
An eBay gift card scam is running wild. This is how to avoid it
Here come the eBay gift card scammers — and just in time to steal your cash after the holidays. But the Elliott Advocacy team is here too, warning you about these swindlers so you can avoid their trap.
We’ve received many pleas for help from distraught victims of this particular eBay gift card scam during the past month. They’ve lost hundreds and even thousands of dollars to this scheme. These consumers all want the same thing: to retrieve their stolen money from the anonymous predators who tricked them.
But is there any possible way to do that? (Reprint)
Read more “An eBay gift card scam is running wild. This is how to avoid it”
The complete guide to buying and selling a timeshare
Why pay for a hotel when you can own your own vacation home or condo? That’s the promise of a timeshare. The pitch comes when you least expect it: when you’re on vacation and your guard is down.
But you can survive a timeshare presentation. And if you don’t — if you already own a timeshare — well, there’s a way out, even if you’re legally under contract. (Reprint) Read more “The complete guide to buying and selling a timeshare”
Here’s how to quickly lose $1,300 to a stranger on Venmo!
Cindy Baker thought she understood how to use Venmo. She didn’t. Her confusion about the money transfer app led her to send $1,300 from her bank account directly to a virtual stranger. And that person refuses to return it.
Now she is asking the Elliott Advocacy team for help.
Baker’s expensive lesson on how to use Venmo safely is one that anyone considering using a money transfer app should read. Although Venmo is a convenient way to send funds to friends and family, there are dangers involved. That is to say; the system is much like a wire transfer — once you hit send, your cash is gone. And retrieving it can be impossible. (Reprint) Read more “Here’s how to quickly lose $1,300 to a stranger on Venmo!”
This is how to survive an airport terminal, bus terminal or train station
If you intend to travel during the pandemic, an airport, train station, or bus terminal is probably the last place you want to get stuck. Do I have to tell you why? There’s no place to sleep, food options are limited and expensive, and the bathrooms — yuck!
Not all travel terminals are the same. But you can plan your trip to have the best possible experience. No joke: Your stopover can be one of the best parts of your trip. Read more “This is how to survive an airport terminal, bus terminal or train station”
I wasted $2,000 on a vacation rental that does not exist!
Paul Trosclair says he just spent nearly two grand on a vacation rental that does not exist. To make matters worse, Vrbo sided with the person he believes is a thief disguised as a host.
Now Trosclair hopes the Elliott Advocacy team can prove this vacation rental is nonexistent and get his money back.
But can we do it? Read more “I wasted $2,000 on a vacation rental that does not exist!”