airline problems

The Elliott Advocacy team mediates hundreds of cases between passengers and airlines every year. These are the tales of those troubled consumers who contact us with their airline problems.

If coronavirus made your airline cancel your flight, this is how to get a refund

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

If the coronavirus caused your airline to cancel your upcoming flight, you might be wondering how to get your refund. Well, wonder no more.

Every day, the airline industry is coming up with new, surprising ways to avoid paying those cash refunds. But our team is here to make sure you know what your airline does — and doesn’t owe you during this pandemic. Here is the guidance you need to ensure you won’t miss any refund owed to you.

Here is the guidance you need to ensure you won’t miss out on any refund owed to you. (Last updated Oct. 7) Read more “If coronavirus made your airline cancel your flight, this is how to get a refund”

The airline made a big mistake and refused to let me board!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

An airline employee recently made a mistake and refused to let Jordan Allen board his scheduled flight to Africa. That error cost him $5,754.

Allen says he showed up at the airport ready for his flight with valid identification for the journey. But his travel plans came to an abrupt end at the check-in counter. There, an unpleasant British Airways agent incorrectly rejected his passport and visa and denied him boarding. That airline representative’s mistake cost Allen more than just cash, and he wants Elliott Advocacy to help right this wrong. Read more “The airline made a big mistake and refused to let me board!”

Amex Travel bailed out on me when I missed my connection!

By Jennifer Finger |

When Robin Swartz missed her airline connection, Amex Travel should have reimbursed her out-of-pocket costs. But the agency’s delays left her request grounded — until Elliott Advocacy stepped in. Read more “Amex Travel bailed out on me when I missed my connection!”

I need surgery! Why won’t AirTkt give me a refund?

By Christopher Elliott |

This traveler needs surgery and wants AirTkt to support her refund request. She can’t travel to Madrid so shouldn’t she be owed a refund? She says the company negotiated a refund on her behalf, but now refuses to pass the money along. What gives? Read more “I need surgery! Why won’t AirTkt give me a refund?”

United Airlines sent my refund to a closed account. What now?

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Last March, United Airlines canceled Eric Noderer’s flight to India and sent his refund to a closed credit card account. Since then, he’s been in an endless battle between the airline and Chase to locate the missing $2,217.

Now he’s hoping the Elliott Advocacy team can provide the backup assistance he needs to find and retrieve his money.

Can we do it? Read more “United Airlines sent my refund to a closed account. What now?”

How to get an airline to waive its rules now

By Christopher Elliott |

Well, that didn’t take long. The U.S. airlines have quietly started tightening their rules again, even as COVID-19 cases take off in America. And now, travelers want to know how they can get an airline to waive its rules. (reprint) Read more “How to get an airline to waive its rules now”