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.

After Merrill Hakim is diagnosed with lung cancer, she asks her airline for a refund on a non-refundable ticket. But is that allowed?

No refund for a sick passenger?

May 23, 2025September 20, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

After Merrill Hakim is diagnosed with lung cancer, she asks her airline for a refund on a non-refundable ticket. But is that allowed?

Google Plus doesn't like David Books' name. And now it's stopped listening to his requests for a social media account.

Google Plus says my name is not allowed — now what?

January 23, 2024September 19, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Google Plus doesn’t like David Books’ name. And now it’s stopped listening to his requests for a social media account. Is there anything he can do to get the company’s attention?

She's likelier to be the next Miss America than a terrorist. But that doesn't stop the TSA from harassing her whenever she flies.

Is the TSA using scripts to push us through its full body scanners?

January 23, 2024September 18, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Roberta Ling is a 73-year-old woman from Austin, Texas. Statistically, she’s likelier to be the next Miss America than a terrorist. But that doesn’t stop the TSA from harassing her whenever she flies.

Memo to corporate America: Your customers are not walking dollar bills. You should know that customers deserve happiness.

Why do companies really care about your happiness? (It’s not a trick question)

January 23, 2024September 18, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Memo to corporate America: Your customers are not walking dollar bills.

Christine and had checked in for their early morning US Airways flight from Manchester, NH, to Philadelphia, enroute to a Caribbean cruise

Should my airline compensate me for a lost cruise?

January 23, 2024September 17, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

It started with a simple misunderstanding.

If you think the outsourcing and off-shoring of American jobs has gone too far, you might think twice before flying on United Airlines.

Is outsourcing good for travelers?

January 23, 2024September 14, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

If you think the outsourcing and off-shoring of American jobs has gone too far, you might think twice before flying on United Airlines.

The site through which she booked the vacation rental is refusing a refund, despite a written guarantee. Can it do that?

A shabby vacation rental and a missing refund

January 23, 2024September 13, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

When Carol Swartz tries to check in to a condo in New Hampshire, she finds the unit in a state of disrepair. Now the site through which she booked the rental is refusing a refund, despite a written guarantee. Can it do that?

She wanted to know if a "zero" fare she'd just found on the United Airlines website would be honored. I'm sure it won't be the last one.

Should I help passengers with their United Airlines “zero” fares?

January 23, 2024September 12, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

At 2:47 p.m. today, I received the first email from reader Nancy O’Neill. She wanted to know if a “zero” fare she’d just found on the United Airlines website would be honored. I’m sure it won’t be the last one.

Bob McIntyre and his wife have just suffered through the worst meal ever at a struggling winery. Can they get their money back?

Hey Travelzoo, you call that a winery tour and gourmet lunch?

January 23, 2024September 12, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Bob McIntyre and his wife have just suffered through the worst meal ever at a struggling winery. Can they get their money back?

The one thing every good customer forgets? You'll never guess. You’re a smart consumer. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this.

The one thing every good customer forgets? You’ll never guess

January 23, 2024September 11, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

You’re a smart consumer. Otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this.