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.

Mercedes Revilla reserves two seats on a British Airways flights, but she gets assigned different ones. Is she entitled to a refund?

Hey, these aren’t the seats I reserved!

January 29, 2024January 23, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Mercedes Revilla reserves two seats on a British Airways flights, but she gets assigned different ones. Is she entitled to a refund?

After Diane McMillian's iPhone 4 freezes, a Sprint employee convinces her to upgrade to a new phone and a more expensive plan.

iPhone freeze problem leads to big rate increase

August 2, 2024January 22, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

After Diane McMillian’s iPhone 4 freezes, a Sprint employee convinces her to upgrade to a new phone and a more expensive plan.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, not only reversed her phantom purchases, but threw in a $200 gift certificate.

Should I be writing about the Lush customer who fell off the IT wagon?

January 29, 2024January 20, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, not only reversed her phantom purchases, but threw in a $200 gift certificate.

He parked his car and they took it for a joyride

January 29, 2024January 19, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

It’s like a scene from the 80s classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Minus the Ferrari, maybe. And the Star Wars soundtrack.

The lowly economy-class section is getting an upgrade in 2015. Or a downgrade, depending on your point of view.

Economy class gets an upgrade – or is it a downgrade?

January 29, 2024January 18, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

The lowly economy-class section is getting an upgrade in 2015. Or a downgrade, depending on your point of view.

Many airlines are squeezing the seats in steerage closer together to make more money while lavishing elite customers with more perks.

Do you have the right to recline your economy class seat back as far as it goes?

January 29, 2024January 17, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Many airlines are squeezing the seats in steerage closer together to make more money while lavishing elite customers with more perks.

Ann and Francis Mason’s bucket-list trip to Hawaii is cut short when Francis’ father unexpectedly passes away.

We want a refund for our canceled Hawaii flight

January 29, 2024January 16, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Ann and Francis Mason’s bucket-list trip to Hawaii is cut short when Francis’ father unexpectedly passes away.

When Abdul Blakney tries to get DirecTV on his laptop, the connection doesn't work. Now he's out $80 for a useless Cinema Connection Kit.

Not seeing clearly with DirecTV’s Cinema Connection Kit

January 29, 2024January 15, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

When Abdul Blakney tries to get DirecTV on his laptop, the connection doesn’t work. Now he’s out $80 for a useless Cinema Connection Kit.

Not the “Sandals difference” she was hoping for

September 25, 2024January 12, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

The “Sandals difference” is that this chain of all-inclusive “luxury” resorts offers “the most romantic getaways with quality inclusions.”

The North American airline industry collected an estimated $8.2 billion should they give more refund airline fees than they are?

How refundable are airline fees? Not so much

January 29, 2024January 11, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

The North American airline industry collected an estimated $8.2 billion should they give more refund airline fees than they are?