Answers

These are the answers to the most troubling and often shocking problems consumers have asked our mediation team. The Elliott Advocacy team covers airline, cruise line, hotel, and vacation rental problems among other topics.

Coronavirus fears: What you need to know about canceling your vacation

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated February 17th, 2021

Are coronavirus fears driving you to cancel your upcoming vacation? If you’re considering canceling, you aren’t alone. In recent weeks, pleas for help from travelers who want to cancel cruises, flights, and hotels have inundated our helpline.

These consumers all hope to override the written contract they have with these providers and get a full refund.

But if you decide to cancel your vacation, can you get your money back? (Update Dec. 13)
Read more “Coronavirus fears: What you need to know about canceling your vacation”

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Do not let coronavirus panic make you cancel your trip right now

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated December 3rd, 2020

Coronavirus panic is at full throttle. In the last week, we’ve received hundreds of requests for assistance from fearful travelers about coronavirus-related cancellations. Our advocacy team has been on call night and day, answering questions and providing help. But many reaching out to us have travel plans several weeks and even months in the future. These troubled travelers want to know if — and how — they should cancel their trips right now.

But for most of these travelers, the answer is simple. Do not cancel your future trip today. (Update/Reprint from March 23) Read more “Do not let coronavirus panic make you cancel your trip right now”

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How to fix your own consumer problem

By Christopher Elliott |  | Updated December 3rd, 2020

You can fix your own consumer problem. If you’re having trouble with a product or service, there is a way out — and you don’t have to hire an expensive lawyer or call the cops.

Yes, you can do it yourself. Read more “How to fix your own consumer problem”

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How long should I wait for my coronavirus refund?

By Christopher Elliott |  | Updated December 3rd, 2020

Hang on! That’s what I told Laureen McCluen when she contacted me about her Airbnb reservation in Washington, D.C. She wanted to know how long to wait for her coronavirus refund.

McCluen plunked down $8,457 for her rental. She looked forward to a week in the nation’s capital, enjoying the museums and monuments and the cherry blossoms. And then coronavirus hit. You know the rest. Read more “How long should I wait for my coronavirus refund?”

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These cruise itinerary changes ruined my trip! I want a refund

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated September 6th, 2020

The cruise itinerary changes on Iris Fennel’s recent Baltic Sea journey completely ruined her trip. She says Norwegian’s Breakaway sailed right past three out of five of its scheduled ports of call. Based on that ratio, Fennel has calculated NCL should give her a 60 percent cash refund.

But does the cruise line owe Fennel anything for these changes to the itinerary? Read more “These cruise itinerary changes ruined my trip! I want a refund”

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This is what happens when you don’t want to tip on your cruise

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated December 29th, 2020

What if you don’t want to tip on your cruise? Or maybe you’re not against cruise gratuities, but prefer to give on a person by person basis. Can the cruise line force you to pay a set amount for the crew’s bonus?

That’s the question Laurie May wants answered. She says Oceania recently blindsided her by adding $320 to the cost of her 10-day European cruise. The reason? Automatically added gratuities.

Now she wants the Elliott Advocacy team to retrieve the crew bonus and put it back in her wallet. But is that something we can do? (Reprint/Sept. 2019/updated June 2020)

Read more “This is what happens when you don’t want to tip on your cruise”

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You should never skip parts of your flight. This is why

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated August 17th, 2020

What happens if you skip parts of your flight itinerary? Charlie Williams will tell you — nothing good.

On the way to their Hawaiian getaway, Williams and his wife missed their connecting flight to the islands. Hawaiian Airlines moved the couple to the next available flight. But the duo decided to skip that flight and book a more convenient one — without informing the airline. That mistake ended up creating a travel fiasco that cost the Williams over $1,200. However, the couple wouldn’t find out anything was wrong until they tried to fly home.

Read more “You should never skip parts of your flight. This is why”

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This is what happens when the name on your ticket does not match your passport

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated August 30th, 2020

What happens if you book an international flight and the name on your ticket does not match your passport?

Ralph Lantz found out the answer in a devastating way. He booked his friend, Jackie, a ticket to meet him on a dream vacation to Greece. But his generous gesture went all wrong at the check-in counter. That’s where Jackie’s Mediterranean plans came to an abrupt end when a Virgin Atlantic agent pointed out that the name on her ticket was not the same as the one on her passport.

Now Lantz wants to know how he can get his money back for the flight. Read more “This is what happens when the name on your ticket does not match your passport”

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Can I get $ 10,000 for my United Airlines flight delay?

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated August 30th, 2020

After a lengthy flight delay on United Airlines, Joseph Baloun made a huge compensation request. He calculated that United Airlines owed him $10,000 in future travel credit for his unpleasant 16-hour delay.

But does United Airlines owe him anything at all? Read more “Can I get $ 10,000 for my United Airlines flight delay?”

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This is how to get a refund from a bankrupt airline

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated January 4th, 2021

What can you do if your airline goes bankrupt and leaves you stranded in another country?

For Kesleigh Eysie, that’s not a hypothetical question. Last July, she found herself stuck in Paris after Primera Air suddenly canceled her flight home. Although the economically challenged company promised a refund and even an additional stipend, it didn’t follow through. Instead, the airline went bankrupt and stopped operating entirely. Read more “This is how to get a refund from a bankrupt airline”

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