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've ever been browbeaten, barked at or belittled by a TSA agent -- and let's be honest, who among us hasn't?

Where do TSA agents learn their bad manners?

January 22, 2024April 8, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

If you’ve ever been browbeaten, barked at or belittled by a TSA agent — and let’s be honest, who among us hasn’t? — then you’ve got a friend in Sen. Harry Reid (D.-Nev.).

To say that air travelers spend as much time complaining about fees and surcharges as they do flying might not be much of an exaggeration. And now the airline industry wants you to add another complaint to that list: taxes.

Airlines claim passengers are overtaxed — but are they?

January 22, 2024April 7, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

To say that air travelers spend as much time complaining about fees and surcharges as they do flying might not be much of an exaggeration. And now the airline industry wants you to add another complaint to that list: taxes.

Hotel H2o guest who booked through Hotels.com, was charged a one-night penalty upon cancellation, efforts for a refund was unsuccessful.

Why is my hotel dragging its feet on a refund?

January 22, 2024April 6, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Although Anthony Braxton cancels his hotel more than 24 hours before he checks in, the property charges a one-night penalty, anyway. Can’t Hotels.com help him get a refund?

Chuck Barnes tries to invoke United Airlines' low fare guarantee. But it doesn't quite work the way he hoped it would. Is he out of luck?

Lied to, overcharged and almost abandoned by Spirit Airlines

January 22, 2024April 5, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Noreen Ismail seemed to have an airtight case against Spirit Airlines. Its transgressions against her, her husband, and 11-month old included overcharging her for her carry-on luggage abandoning her in Boston and making promises it never intended to keep.

Just the mention of the words “baggage” and “rule” in the same sentence is enough to raise the blood pressure of the average air traveler.

Who’s really to blame for these absurd luggage rules?

February 13, 2024April 4, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

Just the mention of the words “baggage” and “rule” in the same sentence is enough to raise the blood pressure of the average air traveler.

Carolyn Stover Harvey counts herself among Delta Air Lines’ best customers. The kind of customer Delta would go the extra mile for.

Did Delta go the extra mile for me?

January 22, 2024April 3, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

As an Amex-branded Platinum-level frequent flier for the better part of the last decade, Carolyn Stover Harvey counts herself among Delta Air Lines’ best customers. The kind of customer Delta would go the extra mile for.

A nonstop flight from Newark to New Delhi can be grueling, so when Eva and Yoel Haller took the 16-hour trip in February.

Forced to downgrade because we paid with miles

January 22, 2024April 2, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

A nonstop flight from Newark to New Delhi can be grueling, so when Eva and Yoel Haller took the 16-hour trip in February, they made sure they cashed in their award miles for confirmed seats in business class.

The rental villa on the French Riviera that Sonia Guillaume found online looked picture-perfect. It featured an impeccably manicured garden.

No sense of ownership in home rental phishing scams

January 22, 2024April 1, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

The rental villa on the French Riviera that Sonia Guillaume found online looked picture-perfect. It featured an impeccably manicured garden, spacious living areas, a pool and stunning views of the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence.

The passenger experienced multiple flight delays and cancellations due to an electrical problem and weather, leading to lodging expenses.

What’s the real reason for my flight delay?

January 22, 2024March 30, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

David Ludt’s flight to Strasbourg is delayed because of a mechanical problem and then canceled because of weather. Now Air France is refusing his ticket refund request. Is he out of luck?

How far will an airline go to make an extra buck? Lie about numbers on their taxes? That's the question Kenneth Babineaux recently raised.

Are airlines lying about taxes?

January 22, 2024March 28, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

How far will an airline go to make an extra buck? Fudge a few numbers on their taxes, maybe?

Christopher Elliott

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