Getting a surprise hotel smoking fee reversed isn’t easy — even if you’re a non-smoker like Kelsey Russell. Or a determined consumer advocate. But it can be done. Here’s how. (Reprint) Read more “How to get a surprise hotel smoking fee reversed? Like this”
Advocacy
These tales are from our consumer advocacy files. If you’re a consumer with a problem with a company, you can contact us for help as well.
These tales are from our consumer advocacy files. If you’re a consumer with a problem with a company, you can contact us for help as well.
The fans on my Electrolux oven are noisy. Can I get a refund?
If the fans on your Electrolux oven are noisy, can you ask for a refund? And does the company have to give you one? That’s what Anne Chiapetta wants to know.
So do I. Read more “The fans on my Electrolux oven are noisy. Can I get a refund?”
I took a seat downgrade to get home on time. Do I get a refund?
When American Airlines canceled Denise Medd’s flight from Punta Cana to Philadelphia, it quickly offered her a seat on another flight. But Medd and her husband accepted a seat downgrade from business class to economy. Should American refund the price difference between the seats? Read more “I took a seat downgrade to get home on time. Do I get a refund?”
If gift cards don’t expire, what happened to mine?
Judy Lederer wants to use her $375 BedandBreakfast.com gift card to stay at a bed and breakfast in April. But the card’s no good, prompting Lederer and our advocacy team to wonder: If gift cards don’t expire, what happened to this one? Read more “If gift cards don’t expire, what happened to mine?”
Here he is: the latest $500 target of the hotel damage swindle!
Mirko Dulic just got blindsided by a surprise $500 post-stay hotel damage fee from a Canadian Super 8. This franchise helped itself to the hefty sum without even a shred of documentation to support its actions. When pressed to provide some concrete justification for the $500 charge, the management went silent. Read more “Here he is: the latest $500 target of the hotel damage swindle!”
Can a host keep your security deposit — no questions asked?
Can a vacation rental owner just keep your security deposit — no questions asked? I recently discovered the answer from one unreasonable VRBO host is, “Yes, I can.”
I have news for her: No, she can’t. Read more “Can a host keep your security deposit — no questions asked?”
What can you bring on the plane? Here’s how to Ask TSA
Wondering what you can bring on the plane for an upcoming trip? I recently discovered a quick and often funny way to Ask TSA what you can — and can’t — bring through security during your next airport adventure. Read more “What can you bring on the plane? Here’s how to Ask TSA”
My Fitbit Charge 2 cracked in the night! I want a refund
Melissa Hill’s Fitbit Charge 2 cracked after a little more than a year. Is the company’s offer acceptable — or should it do more for her? Read more “My Fitbit Charge 2 cracked in the night! I want a refund”
A hotel billing error ends in a lost chargeback. What happened?
Linda Ralston has been fighting an expensive hotel billing error for months. Several weeks after her 3-night stay at the Westin La Paloma in Tuscon, she discovered an extra night’s charge on her credit card. Now her battle seems to have ended in a lost chargeback, with the resort coming out the winner.
But with all the evidence on her side, how did she lose? Read more “A hotel billing error ends in a lost chargeback. What happened?”
Here it is: The most excessive cleaning fee ever!
James Parker just got hit with the most excessive cleaning fee I’ve ever seen as a consumer advocate. Soon after checking out of his recent Airbnb rental, the owner sent him a $1,470 bill to clean up the mess she says his family made.
But what mess was she really cleaning up? Read more “Here it is: The most excessive cleaning fee ever!”