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.

Jennene Colky can't fly because she has a detached retina. Why won't US Airways refund her ticket? Do you really want my eyeball to explode?

Hey US Airways, do you really want my eyeball to explode on a plane?

January 23, 2024November 8, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Jennene Colky can’t fly because she has a detached retina. Why won’t US Airways refund her ticket?

A typographical error on a Craigslist ad has Amy Pollick's cellphone ringing off the hook. Is there any way to stop the calls?

Help me get rid of these Craigslist calls!

January 23, 2024November 7, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

A typographical error on a Craigslist ad has Amy Pollick’s cellphone ringing off the hook. Is there any way to stop the calls?

Spend enough time around customer service agents and you understand that what they say and what they mean are often two very different things.

Decoding service-speak: 5 employee insults you need to know

January 23, 2024November 6, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Spend enough time around customer service agents and you understand that what they say and what they mean are often two very different things. That’s never more apparent than when they are talking directly to you.

I'll admit that I poke fun at the "entitleds" behind the curtain as much as the next guy wedged into one of those sardine-class airline seats.

What to do when your lie-flat seat doesn’t lie flat

January 23, 2024November 5, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

OK, I’ll admit that I poke fun at the “entitleds” behind the curtain as much as the next guy wedged into one of those sardine-class airline seats.

Do travel companies charge too many junk fees? Susan Jay regrets picking up the phone to make a call from Harrah's Atlantic City.

Do travel companies charge too many junk fees?

January 23, 2024November 4, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Susan Jay regrets picking up the phone to make a call from Harrah’s Atlantic City. But she says she had no choice. Her cell phone wasn’t getting a clear signal.

Legendary year-end flights that offer a shortcut to an airline's coveted "elite" status through frequent flier mileage runs.

No more mileage runs? That’s bad news for everyone

January 23, 2024November 2, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

It may be too early to write the obituary for frequent-flier mileage runs — those legendary year-end flights that offer a shortcut to an airline’s coveted “elite” status — but it’s easy to see the end from here.

Bev Eberly's discount hotel card doesn’t work. How can she get the $50 she’s been promised? We made the reservation through Priceline.

Do you think a refund is in the cards?

January 23, 2024November 1, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Bev Eberly’s discount hotel card doesn’t work. How can she get the $50 she’s been promised?

She wants to get out of her DirecTV contract that she didn't knowingly sign. Is there any hope for waiving its $380 early cancellation fee?

Why can’t I cancel my DirecTV contract?

January 23, 2024October 31, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Yan Qi wants to get out of her DirecTV contract — a contract she says she didn’t knowingly sign. Is there any hope for waiving its $380 early cancellation fee?

A reminder of my biggest consumer mistake ever is collecting dust. I've never told anyone about it. Until now.

The biggest mistake I ever made as a consumer

January 23, 2024October 30, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Somewhere in the attic of my old house in Key Largo, Fla., a reminder of my biggest consumer mistake ever is collecting dust. I’ve never told anyone about it. Until now.

Before I tell you about Justin Cohen's case, he likes kids. He's a former teacher and has a "high tolerance" for unruly youngsters.

“Unintentional things can and do happen during flights”

January 23, 2024October 29, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Before I tell you about Justin Cohen’s case, there are one or two things he wants everyone to know. He likes kids. He’s a former teacher and has a “high tolerance” for unruly youngsters.