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.

When Carlye Siegel tries to book two award tickets with Chase points, she gets an error message -- and the transaction fails. Now Chase won't refund the points. Is that allowed?

First, she got an error message. Now her Chase points are gone!

January 21, 2025December 26, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

What would you do if you encountered Chase rewards error, and suddenly all your points were gone? Here’s how to get through it.

Planes don't just feel more cramped than ever -- they are more cramped. There's also a growing realization that small seats pose a real threat to our health and safety. And while there are ways to beat the system, the ultimate fix isn't up to passengers.

Airline seats are too small. Here’s what we need to do.

May 5, 2025December 22, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Planes don’t just feel more cramped than ever — they are more cramped. There’s also a growing realization that small seats pose a real threat to our health and safety. And while there are ways to beat the system, the ultimate fix isn’t up to passengers.

The world's greenest destinations.

Here they are: The 5 greenest destinations of 2025

January 6, 2025December 21, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Sustainability has become a marketing buzzword lately. But these five nations are the real deal: Here are the world’s greenest destinations.

My Electrolux refrigerator hasn't worked right since I bought it. Can you fix it?

My Electrolux refrigerator doesn’t work. Can you fix it?

January 3, 2025December 20, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The Electrolux refrigerator Gayle Douglas bought doesn’t work — and it never has. How many times should the company attempt a repair before it replaces or refunds the appliance?

After Mel Stevenson cancels her fully refundable KLM flex ticket, the airline only refunds her half the money. Can she get the rest?

Why won’t KLM refund my flex ticket?

December 16, 2025December 18, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After Mel Stevenson cancels her fully refundable KLM flex ticket, the airline only refunds her half the money. Can she get the rest?

Although travel shaming is a practice that's as old as travel itself, it's been picking up some momentum lately.

Travel shaming is an epidemic! But what’s the cure?

July 18, 2025December 15, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Although travel shaming is a practice that’s as old as travel itself, it’s been picking up some momentum lately. Here’s how to handle it.

You better watch your back if you're traveling this holiday season. Here's how to stay safe when your on the road.

Pro tips for traveling safer during the 2024 holidays

December 15, 2024December 14, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

You better watch your back if you’re traveling this holiday season. Here’s how to stay safe when your on the road.

When Sears cancels a work order for Gary Miertschin's cooktop stove, it promises him a refund. But the money never shows up in his account. What can he do?

Sears canceled the work order for my cooktop stove. I want a refund!

April 26, 2025December 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Sears cancels a work order for Gary Miertschin’s cooktop stove, it promises him a refund. But the money never shows up in his account. What can he do?

What if you fund a charge for Uber One on your credit card -- but Uber wouldn't let you cancel and get a refund? That's the issue Carl Helwing is trying to resolve. Can our team help him remove a $99 overcharge?

Help! I can’t cancel my Uber One membership

December 12, 2024December 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

What if you fund a charge for Uber One on your credit card — but Uber wouldn’t let you cancel and get a refund? That’s the issue Carl Helwing is trying to resolve. Can our team help him remove a $99 overcharge?

What happens when bad parents take their kids on a plane? Maybe you get the bizarre incidents I saw in a Scandinavian airport a few weeks ago.

Attention, passengers: Bratty kids aren’t the problem. Bad parents are.

October 5, 2025December 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

What happens when bad parents take their kids on a plane? Maybe you get the bizarre incidents I saw in a Scandinavian airport a few weeks ago.