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.

Are airlines moving the goalpost on their loyalty programs? Many customers believe the answer is yes. Here's what you can do about it.

Are airlines moving the loyalty program goalposts?

January 22, 2024May 2, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Every week or so I get a complaint about the elusive nature of loyalty programs.

Southwest Airlines responds to needy passenger with compassion – why won’t US Airways?

January 22, 2024May 1, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

When you’re in my line of work, you hear your share of sob stories. Few are as tragic as Charley Price’s, and few have as frustrating an outcome.

Do I deserve a refund for a closed pool?

January 22, 2024April 30, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

As a silver-level Latitude program member, Judith Pearlstein counts herself among NCL’s top customers. So when her Presidents’s Day weekend cruise to the Bahamas didn’t go as planned, she expected the company to step up and make things right.

Could United Airlines’ chaotic computer “cutover” have been avoided?

January 22, 2024April 29, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

At United Airlines, they called it the “cutover.” It was the final and most difficult piece of the puzzle in the merger with Continental Airlines, and it involved combining two complex passenger reservations systems.

How much worse can the TSA behave?

January 22, 2024April 28, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

When you’re on probation, you steer clear of trouble. You try to to avoid any appearance of impropriety, and you’re on your best behavior.

Was I scammed by my car rental company?

September 16, 2024April 27, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Mark Spritzler gets a surprise bill for $312 after he returns his rental car. Seems his windshield was cracked. But he says he didn’t do it — and he’s got proof. Why won’t Thrifty see things his way?

I paid $6,995 for a travel club membership — did I just get scammed?

January 22, 2024April 25, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Cathy Evans doesn’t fit the profile of a typical scam victim. She’s an account manager for a technology company in Boston, and she likes to think of herself as a discerning customer.

“You should all die”

January 22, 2024April 24, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Bad flight stories are a dime a dozen, but every now and then, I get one that rises above the others. Like Michelle Vazul’s.

No spare tire in my car rental – do I deserve a credit?

January 22, 2024April 23, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

The late model Hyundai Elantra that Joe Gershman rented from Dollar in Charleston, SC, recently looked fine from the outside.

Who do you think you are?

January 22, 2024April 22, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Spend a little time driving America’s Interstate highways, and you’ll get to know all the characters that make their homes on the road.