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.

Penny Sadler is afraid to travel -- now more than ever. Maybe it's the uncertain security situation or the recent questions about airline safety. But Sadler, a photographer from Dallas, gets jittery before every trip.

More Americans are afraid to travel now. Here’s what to do about it.

June 25, 2025October 19, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Maybe it’s the one-two punch of the recent hurricanes in the Southeast or the escalating tensions in the Middle East. But Americans seem more afraid to travel than ever.

When Ticketmaster sells Nathaniel Meyer his Grateful Dead tickets, it leads him to believe he can resell them. But he can't. Is he stuck with them?

Shakedown Street: Why can’t I resell these Dead & Company concert tickets?

September 24, 2025October 18, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Ticketmaster sells Nathaniel Meyer his Grateful Dead tickets, it leads him to believe he can resell them. But he can’t. Is he stuck with them?

Marcus Mann booked a flight with Frontier Airlines, but never received a confirmation email, leaving him unable to check in for his trip. After losing $583 and facing unhelpful customer service, he turned to a credit card dispute and even visited the airport in desperation. Frontier claimed they sent a confirmation, but Mann insists it never arrived. With help from an advocacy team, Mann finally got answers. Frontier admitted its mistake and agreed to refund his airfare. This serves as a reminder to always double-check your spam folder for important emails.

I never received a flight confirmation from Frontier. Can I get a refund?

November 24, 2024October 16, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Frontier Airlines fails to send Marcus Mann a confirmation for his airline ticket, he tries to find out what went wrong. After losing $583, he’s not getting any closer to the truth.

Scarlett Kelly’s Paris vacation rental turned into a nightmare when a $300 damage deposit and a missed check-in window led to her being marked a no-show. Booking.com sided with the rental owner, who kept her money despite Kelly’s claims she was there on time. Now, Kelly is fighting back, alleging fraud, breach of contract, and even obstruction of justice. Should Booking.com refund Kelly, or is this a lesson in reading the fine print? With a $100 refund offer on the table, Kelly refuses to back down.

She lost her Paris vacation rental on a technicality — should I take this case?

February 7, 2025October 14, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Scarlett Kelly paid for a vacation rental in Paris through Booking.com, but she never got to stay in it. Booking.com wants to keep her money on what appears to be a technicality.

This fall, travelers are making some huge mistakes. Whether it's misjudging crowds, forgetting to budget, or packing for the wrong weather, these errors can turn a relaxing trip into a stressful one. Experts say fall travel is unpredictable, with busy weekends, rising prices, and unexpected weather. Even seasoned travelers like Kevin Mercier, who found himself stranded in the French countryside, aren't immune. But with a little planning, you can avoid these pitfalls and have a great fall trip. Just don’t forget your jacket!

5 really stupid travel mistakes you have to avoid this fall

December 15, 2025October 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Traveling somewhere this fall? Better check your assumptions along with your baggage.

In Gothenburg, Sweden, sustainability is woven into the fabric of the city. From eco-friendly museums to Volvo’s green initiatives, Gothenburg has emerged as one of the most sustainable tourism destinations globally. Katarina Thorstensson, a local sustainability strategist, says they don’t even talk about it—it’s just part of life. But what exactly makes Gothenburg so sustainable? It’s a mix of economic viability, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. So, is Gothenburg setting the gold standard for sustainable travel, and how can other destinations learn from it?

How do you define sustainability? In Gothenburg, Sweden, it’s everywhere

September 7, 2025October 12, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The City Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden, is one of several museums with an aggressive sustainability program.

Diane Blitzer subscribed to The Wall Street Journal but stopped receiving her papers after a contractor switch. Despite her calls and emails, months went by with no resolution, and the subscription fee kept draining her bank account. After multiple failed attempts to resolve the issue, she asked for a refund—only to be told it wasn't possible. Frustrated and out of options, Diane reached out for help. What unfolded was a surprising turn of events involving another major newspaper. Find out how her case was finally resolved.

I subscribed to the Wall Street Journal, but where’s my paper?

October 28, 2024October 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Where are Diane Blitzer’s copies of The Wall Street Journal? And why won’t the newspaper give her a refund for the missed deliveries?

Stacey Wall rented a car from Enterprise in Phoenix and took photos of a small dent on the door before driving it. Weeks later, she received a $1,391 damage claim dated three days after returning the car. Despite providing timestamped evidence of pre-existing damage, Enterprise insisted she was responsible. After escalating the issue, Enterprise reviewed the photos again and agreed to drop the claim, leaving Stacey relieved but questioning why this happened with her rental Windstar.

I have proof that I didn’t damage my rental car. So why do I have to pay?

November 24, 2024October 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Stacey Wall has proof that she didn’t damage her rental car. So why does Enterprise want to charge her, anyway?

Erin Wright was banned by American Airlines, accused of intoxication and engaging in sexual activity with a stranger during a flight. But Wright insists it's a case of mistaken identity — she’s a 24-year-old lesbian who wasn’t involved. Determined to clear her name, Wright turned to an advocacy team for help. Although American Airlines eventually reinstated her, Wright’s fight wasn’t over. She posted a viral TikTok video and fought for a refund for an extra ticket she had to buy. What really happened on that flight?

Banned by American Airlines for being “intoxicated and engaging in sexual activity” — but was it her?

June 28, 2025October 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

American Airlines says Erin Wright was drunk and had sex with a man on a recent flight, and now she’s banned. Wright says American Airlines didn’t give her a chance to tell her side of the story and that this is a case of mistaken identity — and she can prove it

Vacation rentals may seem like the perfect solution, but don’t be fooled by glossy photos and cheap listings. From artificially enhanced pictures to sneaky extra fees, the vacation rental game has plenty of hidden traps. With prices on the rise, how can you find a deal? The key is in negotiating directly, using the right tools, and asking the right questions. But even then, are you really getting what you paid for? Before you book, arm yourself with these insights and strategies to avoid the biggest vacation rental gotchas.

New strategies for avoiding vacation rental “gotchas”

November 25, 2024October 6, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you’re looking for a vacation rental this holiday season, you already know about the biggest gotcha: the high price.

Christopher Elliott

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