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.

Traveling this summer means packed flights, jammed roads, and full hotels. Flexibility is key: fly to nearby cities, explore less popular destinations, and consider stopover programs. Use tools like Airbnb's flexible dates search and Google Flights' flexible schedule options to save money and enhance your travel experience. Bend, but don’t break.

Try this pro trick for an affordable and stress-free summer vacation

June 15, 2024June 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Life is full of compromises, and that will never be more true than when you’re traveling this summer.

Fransua Garcia just lost $2,500 after scammers sent her suspicious texts claiming to be from Citibank. Can she retrieve her money, which she transferred using Zelle?

Help! After suspicious texts from Citibank, I’ve lost $2,500

June 28, 2024June 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Fransua Garcia just lost $2,500 after scammers sent her suspicious texts claiming to be from Citibank. Can she retrieve her money, which she transferred using Zelle?

Why didn't Jessica Radosevic get her $444 refund from the online travel agency Traveluro? Could it have something to do with the credit card dispute she filed?

How to solve this mystery of the missing hotel refund? Check your credit card

June 19, 2024June 5, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Why didn’t Jessica Radosevic get her $444 refund from the online travel agency Traveluro? Could it have something to do with the credit card dispute she filed?

Frances Kennedy was looking forward to her Rhine River cruise on Viking. But before she could take her vacation, her husband died. Can she get a refund?

My husband died. Can I get my $5,398 cruise refunded from Viking?

December 25, 2025June 3, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Frances Kennedy was looking forward to her Rhine River cruise on Viking. But before she could take her vacation, her husband died. Can she get a refund?

Want to start an argument? Just ask a random family member where to take your next vacation. Specifically, should you play it safe by returning to the same place -- or try something new?

Should you repeat your vacation? Let’s settle this argument once and for all

November 16, 2025June 1, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Want to start an argument? Just ask a random family member where to take your next vacation. Specifically, should you play it safe by returning to the same place — or try something new?

When AT&T cancels Jacob Flores' phone by mistake, he loses his trade-in credits. Now, he can't get them back. What should he do?

AT&T canceled my phone by accident. Can you help me get back my trade-in credits?

December 15, 2024May 31, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When AT&T cancels Jacob Flores’ phone by mistake, he loses his trade-in credits. Now, he can’t get them back. What should he do?

After John Bernath cancels his flight from Amman, Jordan, to Tel Aviv, on Royal Jordanian Airlines, a Booking.com representative promises him a full refund. So why has he received nothing?

I canceled my Royal Jordanian Airlines tickets months ago. Where’s my money?

January 9, 2025May 29, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After John Bernath cancels his flight from Amman, Jordan, to Tel Aviv, on Royal Jordanian Airlines, a Booking.com representative promises him a full refund. So why has he received nothing?

When Cameron Colletti returned her rental car to Thrifty in Tulsa, Okla., a customer service representative gave her bad news: She'd put a chip in the windshield of her car.

A bizarre Thrifty car rental damage bribe: $35 to make this chipped windshield go away!

May 29, 2024May 27, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Cameron Colletti returned her rental car to Thrifty in Tulsa, Okla., a customer service representative gave her bad news: She’d put a chip in the windshield of her car.

Junk fees -- hidden, mandatory extras added to your final bill -- have mushroomed in recent months and travelers are crying foul. The government is waging a public war against these annoying extras, but businesses still love hitting their customers with extras because fooling them into paying more is highly profitable.

Travelers are drowning in junk fees during the summer of surcharges

November 24, 2024May 25, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Junk fees — hidden, mandatory extras added to your final bill — have mushroomed in recent months and travelers are crying foul. The government is waging a public war against these annoying extras, but businesses still love hitting their customers with extras because fooling them into paying more is highly profitable.

When Margaretta McKenna upgrades her computer, her Rosetta Stone CD-ROM stops working. Can she upgrade to the new online version for free?

My Rosetta Stone CD-ROM doesn’t work anymore. Can you help?

May 29, 2024May 24, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Margaretta McKenna upgrades her computer, her Rosetta Stone CD-ROM stops working. Can she upgrade to the new online version for free?

Christopher Elliott

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