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.

She thought she was covered by her travel insurance. She wasn't, her insurance claim was denied.

A broken kneecap, a denied insurance claim — and a missed cruise

February 2, 2024November 9, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

I know what you’re thinking. Did Debby Russo fall behind on her interest payments and get roughed up by a loan shark?

“I had no idea I’d be charged that much for tolls,” says Kaiser, a photographer and guidebook author “No one explained how the system worked.”

Don’t get broadsided by tolls when you rent a car

February 2, 2024November 8, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

When he crossed the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge in Northern California, James Kaiser expected Avis to bill him for the $5 toll. It did, then it added a convenience fee — of $19.75.

airport, terminal, gate, trip, travel, vacation, luggage, bag, baggage, walk, walking

Why travelers need price transparency now

February 2, 2024November 7, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

If the words “price transparency” don’t make your eyes glaze over, then you’re probably one of the hundreds of thousands of travelers who feel ripped off by a low price.

Ask Richard Brigleb about gift cards. He'll tell you about the $200 worth of plastihe just found in his kitchen drawer.

Are gift cards better for you — or better for the business?

February 2, 2024November 7, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

Ask Richard Brigleb about gift cards, and he’ll tell you about the $200 worth of plastic for a wine store and local restaurant he just found in his kitchen drawer.

Help! My Acer computer screen cracked — again

February 2, 2024November 6, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

Rachel Huff’s Acer laptop breaks again, and this time she has an unhappy 11-year-old to contend with. Can we help?

I want to help Krista Krauss. I think she deserves to be helped. And when you start an email with "You are my last hope."

My seat upgrade disappeared, but Lufthansa kept my money

February 6, 2024November 4, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

All Ronald LaPedis wants to do is fly from San Francisco to Bangalore, India, in relative comfort. But a codesharing upgrade nightmare threatens to send him to the back of the plane.

A flight cancellation sinks a Princess cruise

June 23, 2025November 3, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

When Joan Judice’s flight to her cruise was canceled, it created a domino effect. Every supplier involved — her airline, cruise line and travel agent — took a half-step back during the resolution.

She tried to make a direct reservation with the Majestic Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Fla., she found herself talking to a third party.

HotelsOne took my money — can you help me get it back?

February 2, 2024November 2, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

Mary Puchein wants her $499 back.

She didn't get a hotel refund from Expedia.

Expedia promised me a full refund of my hotel fee. Then it went back on its word

February 2, 2024November 1, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

Expedia promised it wouldn’t charge Katy McLaughlin for her canceled hotel reservation. So why didn’t it keep its word?

Passengers pulling their baggage out of the overhead bins in a panic as they deplaned — we need to be improving travel.

Improving travel, one good idea at a time

February 2, 2024October 31, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

The aftermath of the Emirates Airlines Flight 521 crash in Dubai on Aug. 3 was one of this summer’s most shocking visuals.