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.

Yesterday, my colleague Kendall Creighton asked if the big three airlines have a “stranglehold” on three New York area airports.

Someone just did something about the ‘stranglehold’ on airline competition

February 5, 2024November 11, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Yesterday, my colleague Kendall Creighton asked if the big three airlines have a “stranglehold” on three New York area airports.

KC Egan reserved two cars on Priceline for the same time. She prepaid for one. The other was a simple, fully cancelable reservation.

I reserved two cars, but I picked up the wrong one

February 5, 2024November 10, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

KC Egan reserved two cars on Priceline for the same time. She prepaid for one. The other was a simple, fully cancelable reservation.

United Airlines sent Sedovic's bag to Denver after checking it to Dubai from St. Louis, he explained. Then United's Dubai flight was delayed

Should I have overlooked this delay on delayed luggage?

February 5, 2024November 9, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

United Airlines sent Sedovic’s bag to Denver after checking it to Dubai from St. Louis, he explained. Then United’s Dubai flight was delayed

What Expedia’s purchase of HomeAway means to you

February 5, 2024November 8, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

With Expedia’s $3.9 billion acquisition of vacation rental website HomeAway, the obvious question is, What does this mean for travelers and consumers?

Hertz scrubs rental car cleaning fee — will others follow?

February 5, 2024November 8, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

We appreciate when a vehicle is returned in clean condition, we do not charge a cleaning fee to vehicles reflecting normal wear and tear.

Just a few weeks before Dennis Main's European riverboat cruise, a disc in his spine ruptured, confining him to a wheelchair. Unfair fees.

The most unfair fees in travel

February 5, 2024November 7, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Just a few weeks before Dennis Main’s European riverboat cruise, a disc in his spine ruptured, confining him to a wheelchair. Unfair fees.

Jack thought the $430 rate for his European car rental from Hertz covered everything. Except for one teensy surcharge.

Did we neglect to mention the $651 drop-off fee?

February 5, 2024November 6, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Jack thought the $430 rate for his European car rental from Hertz covered everything. Except for one teensy surcharge.

Should hotels block your Wi-Fi hotspot?

July 2, 2025November 6, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Hilton has become the latest hotel chain to face government fines for allegedly blocking their guests’ personal Wi-Fi hotspots. It joins a growing list of hotel and convention centers that have fallen afoul of federal law, which forbids such activity.