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.

We never asked for travel insurance — can we get our money back?

February 1, 2024April 17, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Her and her husband find a mysterious charge for travel insurance on their Amtrak Vacations bill. They never asked for insurance.

Stephen O'Donnell's new treadmill doesn't work. But the manufacturer won't take it back unless he disassembles it, boxes it up.

My new treadmill is off track — why won’t anyone fix it?

February 1, 2024April 16, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Stephen O’Donnell’s new treadmill doesn’t work. But the manufacturer won’t take it back unless he disassembles it, boxes it up.

Margaret Sheppard and her husband, Don, were loyal United Airlines customers. They flew United whenever they could.

United Airlines gets it dead wrong (but it’s still right)

February 1, 2024April 14, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Margaret Sheppard and her husband, Don, were loyal United Airlines customers. They flew United whenever they could.

Help! My travel insurance didn’t work like I thought it would

February 1, 2024April 13, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

One of the most common answers to a travel problem is: You should have bought insurance. I’ve said it and chances are, you have to.

I can’t make it to my cruise on time — how about a refund?

February 1, 2024April 10, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Ronald Dunnington misses his Celebrity cruise because of a pilots’ strike. Can he get a refund for his entire vacation?

Why won’t Comcast remove my early termination fee?

February 2, 2024April 9, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Lynn Tirums is hit with an early termination fee after Comcast helps her “reduce” her bill. Now it won’t return her calls. What gives?

If I've seen Lee Wendkos's case once, I've seen it a hundred times. Delayed on his way to Europe, he tried to invoke EU 261.

The American way of following European consumer protection laws

February 2, 2024April 7, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

If I’ve seen Lee Wendkos’s case once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. Delayed on his way to Europe, he tried to invoke EU 261.

Should Marriott apologize for this purse-snatching incident?

February 2, 2024April 6, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

She wanted an apology from Marriott for allowing thieves into the hotel his wife and daughter were staying in, he says.

Peter Asimov's airline ticket doesn't get booked as expected. Is his online travel agency trying to rip him off through bait-and-switch?

A bait-and-switch on my airline ticket?

February 2, 2024April 3, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Peter Asimov’s airline ticket doesn’t get booked as expected. Is his online travel agency trying to rip him off through bait-and-switch?

Luke Szulczewski's aging HP laptop has the world's worst battery. The company will replace it in four to six weeks.

I’m envious of those other laptop batteries – why won’t HP help me?

February 10, 2024April 2, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Luke Szulczewski’s aging HP laptop has the world’s worst battery. The company will replace it in four to six weeks.