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 Cory Belkov canceled his Carnival cruise, he expected a partial refund — not a surprise $500 penalty. The fee was never disclosed at booking, and both Carnival and the travel agency deflected responsibility. But under consumer protection laws, hidden cancellation terms may not be enforceable. After months of finger-pointing, here's how Cory got his money back — and what every cruise passenger needs to check before booking.

Carnival charged me a $500 cancellation fee I didn’t know about. Can I get it back?

October 30, 2025October 29, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Cory Belkov cancels his Carnival cruise, he gets a refund — minus a $500 cancellation fee. It’s the first he’s heard of the fee. Does he have to pay?

Rhonda Bryant’s trip to San Francisco was ruined when American Airlines canceled her connecting flight. Despite a new federal rule requiring automatic refunds, she spent nearly seven months chasing down $403 the airline withheld. Her case reveals how major carriers sidestep refund rules—and what you must do when they do. From “trip in vain” policies to DOT complaints, here’s what travelers need to know when the refund isn’t automatic.

Are airline refunds automatic now? For this canceled American Airlines flight, they weren’t

October 27, 2025October 27, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

All Rhonda Bryant wanted was a refund for her airline ticket. She’d booked three tickets with American Airlines for a trip from Portland, Maine, to San Francisco. But when American canceled her connecting flight from Charlotte to San Francisco after hours of delays, her plans fell apart.

Are you afraid of missing out, getting robbed, or being misunderstood on your trip? You’re not alone — but most travel fears are irrational. This story explores common anxieties travelers face, what experts say about them, and how simple preparation can turn panic into peace of mind.

Irrational fears travelers have — and what to do about them

October 26, 2025October 26, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

The holiday travel season is right around the corner, and what better time than now to face your travel fears — especially your irrational ones?

Tokyo isn’t reinventing sustainability—it’s refining it. From Blueground’s eco-conscious apartments to the Palace Hotel’s circular kitchen model and kintsugi workshops, the city is quietly embedding green values into everyday tourism. Rooted in mottainai, Japan’s centuries-old waste-not philosophy, these efforts blend cultural heritage with climate-conscious design to make Tokyo a global model of responsible travel.

Green apartments, carbon-neutral hotels: How Tokyo is becoming a sustainable destination

October 25, 2025October 25, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

In an oversized, wood-paneled boardroom with a view of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, Tsubasa Yokote is trying to explain the city’s approach to sustainable tourism. And it’s not easy.

When StubHub sends tickets for the wrong show, it blames the customer for the mistake. The company invents an absurd rule to deny her refund, ignoring its own FanProtect Guarantee and forcing her to fight to get her money back.

StubHub issued tickets for the wrong showtime. Can I get a refund?

November 24, 2025October 24, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Lori McBride buys StubHub tickets for a 1 p.m. show but discovers they’re for 7:30 p.m. StubHub denies her a refund because she didn’t immediately contact the company. But what about StubHub’s FanProtect Guarantee?

When FedEx charged $1,237 to ship Todd Janus’s luggage for a cruise, the bags never made it. Held in customs with no clear updates, the delivery failed — but the bill didn’t. Who’s responsible when your luggage is lost in transit and your vacation is on the line?

Why did FedEx charge me $1,237 to ship luggage it couldn’t deliver?

May 1, 2026October 22, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Todd Janus sends his luggage to Norway via FedEx, it gets stuck in customs. Does he still have to pay $1,237?

Thomas Larson booked a flight with a 93-minute layover, but an American Airlines agent refused to check his bag — claiming it wasn’t long enough. Forced to buy a second ticket, Larson faced airline finger-pointing and silence. Who’s responsible when partner airlines don’t agree on the rules?

“Not enough time for your bags”: How a 90-minute connection rule upended a flight

October 29, 2025October 20, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Thomas Larson thought he’d done everything right when he booked a flight from Raleigh-Durham to Ketchikan, Alaska. He’d bought a multi-airline itinerary through Alaska Airlines: The first leg was on American Airlines to Phoenix, then continuing on Alaska Airlines to Seattle and Ketchikan.

Christopher Elliott

Carnival charged me a $500 cancellation fee I didn’t know about. Can I get it back?

Are airline refunds automatic now? For this canceled American Airlines flight, they weren’t

Irrational fears travelers have — and what to do about them

Green apartments, carbon-neutral hotels: How Tokyo is becoming a sustainable destination

StubHub issued tickets for the wrong showtime. Can I get a refund?

Why did FedEx charge me $1,237 to ship luggage it couldn’t deliver?

Don’t commit these social blunders on your next hotel stay

Travel insurance is becoming mandatory in more destinations. Here’s what you need to know.

Help! I was charged $370 for an order that doesn’t exist!

Christopher Elliott

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