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.
Patty Eggen is upset. She's been waiting for a refund from Alaska Airlines for 3 months. So how long does it take to get a refund during the pandemic?

How long does it take to get a refund during the pandemic?

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Patty Eggen is upset — and she wants to know if she’s being too patient. She booked an Alaska cruise this summer and canceled it months ago. Her cruise fare refund from Norwegian arrived in early July. But her airfare refund from Alaska Airlines is still missing in action. And she’s wondering: How long does it take to get a refund during the pandemic?

Can a program like Global Entry that subjects you to a background check and stores your biometric data ever work in favor of the traveler?

Does Global Entry work? Here’s what the government doesn’t want you to know

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When the federal government proposed a trusted traveler system years ago, I got into an argument with a well-known travel writer.

He claimed a program like Global Entry that subjected you to a background check and stored your biometric data would never work. He argued that the government had no interest in collecting that information and keeping close tabs on its citizens.