Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.

When should you have reservations about your hotel reservations?

December 20, 2023December 27, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

When it comes to booking a hotel online, what you see isn’t always what you get.

Maybe I should stop making New Year's resolutions. A year ago I pledged to "make it better" for everyone, that was my first thought.

I can’t believe I’m doing this again

December 15, 2023December 27, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Maybe I should stop making New Year’s resolutions.

Funny cell phone math on my trip to St. Maarten

December 15, 2023December 26, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Karen Daukantas-Jones takes her Verizon phones to St. Maarten. But it doesn’t travel well, and now they’ve charged her an extra $81.

visa, paperwork, document, travel, expiration, date, passport, renewal, immigration

Hey Hotels.com, when were you planning to tell me I needed a visa?

October 9, 2025December 26, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

When Jane Torres books a hotel “near” Hong Kong International Airport, Hotels.com omits a key detail. She also needs a visa. Now what?

What to expect when you’re traveling in 2016

December 15, 2023December 26, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

2016 will be a great year to travel.

And expensive. Maybe frustrating, too.

Santosh Reddy gets hit with an extra charge after early terminating of his AT&T account. Can they do that?

Hit with an early termination fee from AT&T — and then some

December 15, 2023December 25, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Santosh Reddy gets hit with an extra charge after terminating his AT&T account. Can they do that?

Our vacation rental in St. Lucia is closed — are we out of luck?

January 19, 2024December 25, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Susan Palmer and her family have a reservation for a vacation rental in St. Lucia. But the property is closed. Can this vacation be saved?

My Airbnb.com home is a guesthouse – how about a refund?

May 20, 2024December 25, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

When Kevin Calaba reserves a home on Airbnb.com, he expects a home. When he gets a guest house, he expects a refund. Is he expecting too much?

Why won’t my Claim Jumper gift certificate work?

January 17, 2024December 24, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Rachel Brekke finds two Claim Jumper gift certificates from 1996. Why won’t they work?

Is this car rental repair bill a scam?

January 17, 2024December 24, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Brian Davidson receives a mysterious repair bill from Alamo after renting a car. Is this a real bill — or a scam?