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.

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.”

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.

Are airline fees being fairly disclosed?

January 22, 2024November 10, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

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

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?

They canceled his flight twice – are these vouchers enough?

January 22, 2024November 8, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Argh! This damaged freezer from Sears is making me come unhinged

January 22, 2024November 7, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Alex Schuler’s new Sears freezer is damaged by a technician. Is she entitled to any compensation for the botched delivery service?

The first thing I noticed about the decline passenger in seat 9C on a recent flight from Orlando was that he was carrying a light sabre.

Leaning leaners and the airlines that let ’em

June 10, 2024November 6, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

The first thing I noticed about the passenger in seat 9C on a recent flight from Orlando to Washington was that he was carrying a light sabre.

Is this a cruise club bait-and-switch?

January 22, 2024November 5, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Are lax rules slowing down airline ticket refunds?

January 22, 2024November 3, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Kathleen paid $5,770 for a pair of round-trip tickets between San Francisco and Dublin this year on Virgin Atlantic Airways.

Should I have to pay for my car rental to be towed?

January 22, 2024November 2, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Kathy O’Leary is being pursued by a collection agency, which wants it to pay for a tow on a Hertz rental. Does she have to? Or should insurance cover her rental?