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.

Why is RVshare holding Aaron Olbrich's $1,500 deposit after he returns his rental van? And can he ever get his money back?

RVshare is keeping my deposit! Can you make them return it?

April 26, 2025April 16, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Why is RVshare holding Aaron Olbrich’s $1,500 deposit after he returns his rental van? And can he ever get his money back?

Jeff Berman's flight from Seattle to Quebec City was a nightmare. A delay on the first leg of his flight left him stranded in Calgary, and the only way out was to buy a new ticket to his final destination.

Airline code-share nightmare: WestJet left me stranded in Calgary!

April 26, 2025April 14, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Jeff Berman’s flight from Seattle to Quebec City was a nightmare. A delay on the first leg of his flight left him stranded in Calgary, and the only way out was to buy a new ticket to his final destination.

Imagine settling into your economy class seat on a 13-hour flight, only to find a stranger's shoes occupying the space beside you.

Shoe wars at 36,000 feet: Should you leave your footwear on?

April 27, 2025April 13, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Imagine settling into your economy class seat on a 13-hour flight, only to find a stranger’s shoes occupying the space beside you.

Gilles Nicolas, area general manager at IHG Hotels & Resorts in Qatar, on the roof of the Crowne Plaza Doha.

In Qatar, a quiet search for sustainable tourism

June 10, 2025April 12, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When it comes to sustainability, you might not expect much from Qatar, a place that air-conditions its soccer stadiums, parks, and even outdoor malls.

The electric pressure washer Halley Thompson orders from Amazon doesn't work. Why won't Amazon let her return it for a refund?

I ordered a pressure washer and it doesn’t work. Why won’t Amazon refund me?

December 19, 2025April 11, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

The electric pressure washer Halley Thompson orders from Amazon doesn’t work. Why won’t Amazon let her return it for a refund?

Aman Chawla cancels his hotel room in Wrocław, Poland, made through Booking.com. But even though he's within the cancellation window, he's not getting a refund. Did he lose his $742?

I canceled on time! Why can’t I get my money back from Booking.com?

February 23, 2026April 9, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Aman Chawla cancels his hotel room in Wrocław, Poland, made through Booking.com. But even though he’s within the cancellation window, he’s not getting a refund. Did he lose his $742?

When Air France flagged Elana Gershuny's ticket as fraudulent, it didn't just strand her in Lyon, France. It also landed her on a secret airline blacklist.

I’m on an airline’s credit card blacklist. How do I get off?

April 26, 2025April 7, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Air France flagged Elana Gershuny’s ticket as fraudulent, it didn’t just strand her in Lyon, France. It also landed her on a secret airline blacklist.

Why are passengers acting so badly? And what can you do if you're seated next to an entitled passenger?

Why are airline passengers so entitled and inconsiderate?

August 24, 2025April 6, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Why are passengers acting so badly? And what can you do if you’re seated next to an entitled passenger?

It's that moment of hesitation before you head out the door. The one where you ask, "Is it safe to leave my valuables in my hotel room?"

Is it safe to leave my valuables in my hotel room? Here’s how to find out

June 16, 2025April 5, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

It’s that moment of hesitation before you head out the door. The one where you ask, “Is it safe to leave my valuables in my hotel room?”

When Tom Hayes tries to combine his Duolingo accounts, he hits a snag. Why won't the company help him?

Help! Duolingo won’t let me merge my accounts — will my streak end?

April 26, 2025April 4, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Tom Hayes tries to combine his Duolingo accounts, he hits a snag. Why won’t the company help him?