Advocacy Archives

Alex and Jaime Passakos experienced a disappointing wedding at Sandals Montego Bay, citing issues like poor hair styling, an ineffective bridal assistant, missed sunset photos, and damaged wedding attire. Most distressingly, their wedding photos and video were of poor quality. The couple initially sought a refund for the wedding portion of their $48,000 trip. Sandals offered a partial refund and a free stay, which was negotiated up after complaints. Ultimately, Sandals increased their compensation offer, which the couple accepted.

My wedding was ruined! What does Sandals owe me?

October 19, 2024September 23, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Alex and Jaime Passakos say their honeymoon at Sandals was ruined — and they want compensation.

Darrell Eldridge faced a $3,000 charge from Turo for a blown tire during his rental of a 2021 Dodge Durango. Despite providing evidence of poor tire maintenance, Turo initially upheld the charge. Eldridge took detailed photos, proving negligence in tire upkeep by the vehicle owner. After appeals and advocacy intervention, Turo rescinded the charge. This case highlights the importance of thorough documentation, especially of tire condition, when renting from platforms like Turo.

Turo repair problem: Do I have to pay $3,000 for this blown tire?

October 10, 2024September 16, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When a tire on Darrell Eldridge’s Turo rental blew out, he was relieved that he didn’t get into an accident. But his relief soon gave way to rage when Turo sent him a $3,000 bill for damage.

When Jane Huang transferred $1,264 to her brother through PayPal, it never reached his account. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, including contacting PayPal and Xoom, and filing complaints with financial protection agencies, her money remained missing for six months. After persistent efforts and seeking help from a consumer advocacy site, PayPal finally refunded her the full amount plus $100. Her experience highlights the importance of verifying recipient details, monitoring transaction statuses, and the challenges of resolving lost money transfers with online payment services.

PayPal money transfer problem: What should I do if the money never gets there?

April 26, 2025September 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Jane Huang transferred $1,264 to her brother through PayPal, she expected him to get the money. But he never did.

Tracy Pruss lost her iPhone 13 while boarding an American Airlines flight from Raleigh-Durham to Cincinnati. Despite using the Find My app to locate the phone near the gate desk, her attempts to retrieve it were met with delays and unhelpful responses from both the airport and the airline. As days passed and the battery dwindled, Pruss feared losing the phone—and its irreplaceable contents—forever. Desperate, she drove to the airport in Cincinnati for help. Will American Airlines find her phone before it's too late, or are these precious memories lost forever?

Can American Airlines find my irreplaceable iPhone before it’s too late?

December 2, 2025September 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Tracy Pruss lost her iPhone 13 as she boarded an American Airlines flight from Raleigh-Durham to Cincinnati. The device slipped out of her pocket on the jetway.

Companies often use release forms to silence consumers when addressing complaints. For instance, Lowe's offered a settlement to a customer for a botched kitchen installation but required her to destroy evidence and stay silent. These agreements, similar to nondisclosure agreements, prevent consumers from sharing their experiences, thereby protecting the company's reputation. Consumers should be wary of such agreements, which may restrict their rights to criticize or pursue further claims. Consulting a lawyer before signing is advisable to understand the full implications. Refusing these agreements could push companies to resolve issues transparently.

How companies try to silence you when you have a problem

October 2, 2025August 26, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The document seemed harmless enough — a “release of all claims” in exchange for a cash settlement. Lowe’s sent it to one of our readers when she asked it to fix a botched kitchen installation.

When Lesle Collins flew from Dallas to Denver, her luggage didn’t make the trip. Despite promptly reporting it to Frontier Airlines, she faced repeated delays and ultimately a denial of her claim due to a missed deadline. Collins insists she never received the necessary forms from Frontier, highlighting the importance of immediately filing a claim at the airport and keeping thorough documentation. While airlines like Frontier have strict timelines, they can make exceptions. After advocacy, Frontier reopened Collins' case, underscoring the need for persistence in resolving lost luggage issues.

Problem with luggage: I waited too long to file a claim with my airline!

May 12, 2025August 19, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Lesle Collins flew from Dallas to Denver last summer, her baggage did not. She tried to file a luggage claim — but she could not.

When James Cottrell bought travel medical insurance for his North Atlantic cruise, he never expected to need it. But when his wife fell ill and ended up with a $6,914 medical bill, he found himself relying on GeoBlue. Despite promises of a 30-day payout, six months passed with no reimbursement. Cottrell's persistent follow-ups led him to file a complaint with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. His case highlights the differences between travel insurance and travel medical insurance and provides crucial tips for expediting claims. Will GeoBlue finally pay? Find out how he resolved it.

Their North Atlantic cruise ended in the hospital. Why won’t travel medical insurance pay their $6,914 claim

November 9, 2025August 12, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When James Cottrell bought travel medical insurance for himself and his wife for their North Atlantic cruise last summer, he never expected to use it. But if he had to, he was confident his GeoBlue travel medical plan would be there for him — and that it would pay his claim promptly.

Advocacy

My wedding was ruined! What does Sandals owe me?

PayPal money transfer problem: What should I do if the money never gets there?

Can American Airlines find my irreplaceable iPhone before it’s too late?

How companies try to silence you when you have a problem

Problem with luggage: I waited too long to file a claim with my airline!

Their North Atlantic cruise ended in the hospital. Why won’t travel medical insurance pay their $6,914 claim

No hot water and no heat in my Vrbo rental. Why can’t I get a refund?

American Airlines canceled my flight. Why do I only get a partial refund?

My car rental is fully refundable. Why is Priceline keeping my money?

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