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.

Marian Houk's problem with Swiss International Air Lines is a cautionary tale about rescheduling your flight, corporate stubbornness and failure -- my failure.

A strange Swiss refund case: Here’s how to really confuse an airline

March 24, 2025March 24, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Marian Houk’s problem with Swiss International Air Lines is a cautionary tale about rescheduling your flight, corporate stubbornness and failure — my failure.

Has this ever happened to you? You're boarding a flight and the guy in front of you is slow. Almost deliberately slow.

Slow travel: Why is everyone losing it with the laggards?

July 5, 2025March 23, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Has this ever happened to you? You’re boarding a flight and the guy in front of you is slow. Almost deliberately slow.

You've probably seen the breathless warnings about pickpockets and scams this spring break. But my experience in New Orleans involved a more direct threat.

Is it safe to travel this spring break? Here’s what experts say

June 16, 2025March 22, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

You’ve probably seen the breathless warnings about pickpockets and scams this spring break. But my experience in New Orleans involved a more direct threat.

Why won't Brooklinen refund Tracy Brom's "hot and scratchy" sheets? After all, it promised her a refund.

Brooklinen promised to refund my sheets. Why won’t it?

April 26, 2025March 21, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Why won’t Brooklinen refund Tracy Brom’s “hot and scratchy” sheets? After all, it promised her a refund.

Glenn Ward is charged twice for his airline tickets to Europe. Why won't someone fix the problem?

Charged twice for my airline tickets to Budapest. What’s going on?

February 11, 2026March 19, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Glenn Ward is charged twice for his airline tickets to Europe. Why won’t someone fix the problem?

When Jeff Wickstead's vacation rental manager demanded that he cancel his Booking.com reservation in London, he had every reason to believe he'd get his money back. But he didn't -- and now he's not sure what to do.

My vacation rental owner told me to cancel. Why can’t I get a refund from Booking.com?

April 26, 2025March 17, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Jeff Wickstead’s vacation rental manager demanded that he cancel his Booking.com reservation in London, he had every reason to believe he’d get his money back. But he didn’t — and now he’s not sure what to do.

When I think of anti-American sentiment and travel, I'm reminded of the guy who visited İzmir, Turkey -- and suddenly found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

How to avoid anti-American sentiment when you’re traveling internationally

April 6, 2025March 16, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When I think of anti-American sentiment and travel, I’m reminded of the guy who visited İzmir, Turkey — and suddenly found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Murat Alsaç, a co-founder of EsteNove, a hair transplant clinic in Istanbul.

How medical tourists in Turkey balance travel and treatment

April 8, 2025March 15, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Turkey is being transformed into a global healthcare destination. But how do you balance surgery with sightseeing?

Rich Hunt's new GE wall oven doesn't fit in his kitchen. Why won't GE honor its GE Fit Guarantee?

Why won’t GE honor its GE Fit Guarantee? My oven doesn’t fit!

March 25, 2025March 14, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Rich Hunt’s new GE wall oven doesn’t fit in his kitchen. Why won’t GE honor its GE Fit Guarantee?

After Virgin Atlantic cancels Peter Ross's flight from Washington to London, he asks for his Chase points back. Why isn't he getting them?

Virgin Atlantic canceled my flight. Why won’t they refund my Chase points?

March 25, 2025March 12, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

After Virgin Atlantic cancels Peter Ross’s flight from Washington to London, he asks for his Chase points back. Why isn’t he getting them?