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.

It cost me $27.10 in tolls and fees to make the round trip between the Orlando airport and my home in Winter Springs, Fla., in a rental car.

Wow, those car rental tolls can really add up!

January 22, 2024September 8, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

It cost me $27.10 in tolls and fees to make the round trip between the Orlando airport and my home in Winter Springs, Fla., in a rental car last month.

Seeking assistance for a lost camera on a US Airways flight, as the airline refuses reimbursement, citing non-liability in their contract.

A flight attendant took my camera and I want it back

January 22, 2024September 7, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Haijun Shan’s camera is missing — forcibly gate-checked on a recent flight. The camera isn’t covered under the airline’s contract. Is Shan out of luck?

He booked a room at the Best Western in Pasadena. They sent him a gift card, instead of honoring a "best rate" guarantee.

Instead of honoring a “best rate” guarantee, they sent him a gift card

January 22, 2024September 6, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Steve Rabin’s name might be familiar to some of you, especially if you’re active in the comments. He’s a faithful reader of this site who turned to me for help a few weeks ago after he booked a room at the Best Western in Pasadena.

Wells Fargo's premature deposit of a rental deposit check triggers overdraft fees of $805. Jeanne unsuccessful attempts to freeze account.

Covered in bank fees with no way out

January 22, 2024September 5, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Jeanne Bowyer’s bank account is awash in fees, and her bank won’t stop them. Why can’t Wells Fargo help her?

She thought she was dealing with the U.S. National Park Service, Turns out she was wrong on both counts and it was codesharing.

In travel, what you see isn’t always what you get

January 22, 2024September 4, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

When Virginia Vail made a reservation at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls last month through a website called National Park Reservations, she assumed the $252 room rate would be the price she actually paid. She also thought she was dealing with the U.S. National Park Service, as the name of the website implied.

He wants to know if he got ripped off. He prepaid for 12 days of parking through a company called Premier Parking.

A full parking lot and a partial refund from Premier Parking

November 24, 2024September 3, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Gene Fayvusovich has a little parking problem, and he wants to know if he got ripped off.

American voters, who have felt powerless against an expanding TSA, got an unexpected gift from a very unexpected place last week.

Politics aside, what should we do about the TSA?

January 22, 2024September 2, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

American voters, who have felt powerless against the allegedly invasive screening methods used by an expanding TSA, got an unexpected gift from a very unexpected place last week.

The Marriott San Juan Resort and Stellaris Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico, adds a fee to its daily room rate to cover amenities.

Time to include mandatory fees in hotel prices?

January 22, 2024September 1, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

I rented a car from Hertz in Miami a few months ago. Before returning it, I filled it up with gas. I double-checked the fuel gauge.

A $93 “top off” charge for my rental car?

January 22, 2024August 31, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Danny Griffin just received a $93 bill from Hertz for refueling his rental car. But wait, didn’t the company give him a receipt that verified his tank was full when he returned the vehicle? Yes, but that doesn’t make any difference.

Thank goodness for the new 24-hour rule. That's what Joan Weiner thought when she booked an airline ticket through Travelocity.

Travelocity promised me a refund — did it do enough?

May 6, 2024August 30, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Thank goodness for the new 24-hour rule. That’s what Joan Weiner thought when she booked an airline ticket through Travelocity.

Christopher Elliott

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