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.

5 times customers should say “sorry”

January 23, 2024October 9, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Ever apologized to a business? If you said “never,” then maybe you don’t have kids.

Mike Murray was kicked off his flight after he had a few drinks before boarding. Can be get a partial refund?

Kicked off the plane for having a few pre-flight drinks

January 23, 2024October 8, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

While Mike Murray waited with his two nephews and cousin in the first-class lounge to board his United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Washington, he consumed three gin and tonics in two hours.

TSA’s new Pre-Check programs raises major privacy concerns

January 23, 2024October 6, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

When the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre-Check formally launches sometime this fall, its trusted-traveler program will already have the enthusiastic endorsement of frequent travelers — and an equally enthusiastic denouncement from privacy advocates.

Why fake reviews don’t really matter

January 23, 2024October 5, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Don’t believe everything you read online, especially on user-generated review websites such as TripAdvisor or Yelp, which claim to help you find the best hotels and restaurants.

Bumped, but where’s my voucher?

January 23, 2024October 4, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Delta promises Shirin Vakharia a flight voucher if she volunteers to take another flight. She does — but where’s the scrip?

Hey, where did my Sprint discount go?

January 23, 2024October 3, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

When Denise Mendoza “upgrades” her Sprint account, the discount she had for years is gone. Is there any way to get it back?

Should I shame, sue – or take it straight to the top?

January 23, 2024October 2, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Ever want to see how customers screw up? Then spend a few hours looking over the shoulder of a consumer advocate.

My Hawaii vacation rental is infested with ants – can I get a partial refund?

January 23, 2024October 1, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Maybe David and Mary Sue Conner didn’t tell their rental homeowner they were in Oahu for a family vacation of a lifetime. But when you drop $25,000 for a one-month stay in Hawaii, and the whole ohana is there, that probably goes without saying: this is a special event, and everything needs to be perfect.

It's more than a decade years since the airline industry, led by a then-ailing American Airlines, quietly stripped the ability to check your first bag at no extra cost from the price of an airline ticket — an act given the antiseptic name "unbundling."

The travel industry is lying about fees — and now it’s gone too far

March 17, 2024September 28, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

It’s more than a decade since the airline industry, led by a then-ailing American Airlines, quietly stripped the ability to check your first bag at no extra cost from the price of an airline ticket — an act given the antiseptic name “unbundling.”

My ticket credit is gone — can you help me get it back?

January 23, 2024September 26, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Velta Mahon’s airline ticket credit is gone and she says it’s Hotwire’s fault. Is there any hope of a refund?

Christopher Elliott

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