Christopher Elliott
Are e-checks a safe way to pay for travel?
As she paged through Viking River Cruises’ glossy brochure one recent afternoon, Diane Moskal noticed a new way to save money: If she booked the Waterways of the Tsars itinerary sailing from Moscow to St. Petersburg with something called an e-check, the cruise line promised to knock $100 off the fare.
Why you shouldn’t accept your airline’s apology
If you’ve experienced a recent flight delay or service disruption, then you probably know that for better or worse, no one says “I’m sorry” like an airline.
A surprise $600 bill for my Mexico car rental
Arjun Aiyer receives a surprise bill for an extra $600 after renting a car in Mexico. The company alleges the vehicle was damaged while Aiyer was driving it. But where’s the proof?
When will they finally install my windows?
Robert Manari orders new windows, but after weeks of waiting, his patience has run out. Can these windows be saved?
7 consumer secrets from the world’s smartest traveler
Can being a smart traveler make you a better consumer? As the author of How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler, which is being published next month, I can confirm that it does.
Why won’t Airbnb let me review my ill-fated rental?
Mandy Fleming’s Airbnb rental couldn’t have happened at a worse place — or time.
This is a sick way to spend your vacation
What’s worse than being stricken with stomach flu on vacation? Maybe it’s being quarantined on a cruise ship with hundreds of other passengers suffering from the same illness.
We gave up our seat on Spirit but they gave us nothing
Sarah Dragswiek and her family give up their airline seat in exchange for a promise of a refund and a voucher for a new ticket. But when the airline refuses to keep its word, what can they do?
Always check your order before you leave Popeyes
After a 45-minute wait, Mark Dixon gets the wrong order at a Popeyes restaurant in Buffalo. Just one problem: He doesn’t discover the mistake until he’s home.