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.

If you're an airline apologist, you'll probably answer Angelina Bellamy's question reflexively, if not dismissively.

Did KLM lie about her ticket refund?

December 30, 2024November 19, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

If you’re an airline apologist, you’ll probably answer Angelina Bellamy’s question reflexively, if not dismissively.

They were excited about their upcoming five-night Bahamas cruise on the Carnival Fascination before the birth of their first child.

What to expect if you’re expecting to cruise

January 22, 2024November 18, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Bryan and Fola Nelson were excited about their upcoming five-night Bahamas cruise on the Carnival Fascination. It was to be their last vacation before the birth of their first child.

I used her Delta frequent flier miles for a trip to Manchester, England, to visit her mother. She bought trip insurance through Allianz.

Why won’t insurance cover my lost frequent-flier miles?

January 22, 2024November 17, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Charles Stewart’s wife is hospitalized in England and misses her return flight. Thank goodness she has travel insurance, which covers the cost of her return flight. But what about the miles she spent? Are they lost?

Next week is one of the busiest of the year for air travel. The last thing you probably want to see is a long TSA line.

5 reasons I’m opting out of the TSA’s scanners (and you should, too)

January 22, 2024November 16, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Next week is one of the busiest of the year for air travel. And the last thing you probably want to see at the airport when you fly home for Thanksgiving is a long line — especially one that’s preventable.

The car rental company said if one of their vehicles was damaged by an Act of God, you were on the hook for the car.

The latest car scam: hail damage?

January 22, 2024November 15, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

A few years ago, car rental companies made a small but profitable change to their contracts. They said if one of their vehicles was damaged by an Act of God, you were on the hook for the car.

I bought a refrigerator from Best Buy a few years ago. The first fridge had a problem that could not be fixed, so it was replaced.

My refrigerator is cursed – can you lift the spell?

April 5, 2024November 14, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Stephen Ashley’s refrigerator is cursed. Can a consumer advocate lift the spell?

Here's a problem I run into every now and then, and which I normally refer back to the airline which usually tells the passenger "tough luck.

They canceled the flight anyway — can I get a refund?

July 4, 2024November 12, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Here’s a problem I run into every now and then, and which I normally refer back to the airline – which usually tells the passenger “tough luck.”

When Susan Verbeeck attended a rally for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney she didn't expect to be greeted by TSA agents.

Should Republicans blame the TSA for their loss?

January 22, 2024November 11, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

When Susan Verbeeck attended a rally for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney with her two daughters and a friend at the Virginia State Fairgrounds in Doswell, Va., earlier this month, she didn’t expect to be greeted by TSA agents.

Steven Allen says he got a bad one recently when he called to change a United Airlines ticket from San Francisco to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Are airline fees being fairly disclosed?

January 22, 2024November 10, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Air travel is full of surprises, some good, many not.

We are having trouble with a claim we made on our Allianz travel insurance we bought for our recent trip to Portugal.

Will travel insurance cover my missed tour?

January 22, 2024November 9, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Carolyn Cluff’s husband is injured in Portugal and he misses part of his tour. Now their travel insurance company is balking at paying their claim, even though their policy should cover them. How does she persuade the insurance company to reconsider?