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.

Summer 2024 left many travelers regretting their vacation choices. From booking the wrong airlines to overstuffing itineraries, the mistakes were costly. I learned the hard way—overpaying for an airfare that drained my budget. And what about that missed opportunity to visit an iconic spot? With the new iPhone in hand, these regrets could have been avoided with better planning and advice from a travel pro. Don’t let these mistakes ruin your next vacation. Plan smarter for the upcoming seasons.

Summer’s over. What are your top vacation regrets?

October 10, 2024September 15, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Flying a budget airline. Staying at a bad hotel. Traveling with the wrong people.
Vacation regrets, you may have a few for the summer of 2024. More than a few, actually.

In northern Sweden, sustainability isn't just a goal; it's a reality being shaped by groundbreaking projects like the Green Flight Academy, the Wood Hotel, and Northvolt's gigafactory. With a focus on sustainable tourism, Skellefteå has transformed into a hub of innovation, where fossil-free airports, electric planes, and eco-friendly construction lead the way. These initiatives reflect a community-wide commitment to sustainability, offering visitors a glimpse into a future where green living isn't just possible—it's already happening.

Northern Sweden is pushing the limits of sustainability. Here’s how.

January 19, 2025September 14, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When it comes to sustainable tourism in northern Sweden, there’s one guiding principle: If you build it, they will come.

Leah Davidson faced a frustrating situation when she returned her iPhone 11 to a third-party seller on Amazon. Despite having a receipt proving her package was delivered, the seller claimed the box was empty and refused to refund her $319. Amazon's AI-driven customer service only complicated the matter, bouncing her between departments without resolution. It wasn't until a human finally reviewed her case that she got her money back, leaving the mystery of the missing phone unsolved.

I returned my iPhone, but Amazon is charging me for it. Is that fair?

November 1, 2024September 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Leah Davidson returns her iPhone 11 to a third-party seller on Amazon. But the seller claims the box is empty. Does she still get her money back?

Leigh Roberts and her wife purchased an extra seat on a flight from Orlando to Venice, only to find out that United Airlines resold it to another passenger. Despite multiple attempts to get a refund, United initially refused, citing nonrefundable ticket policies. However, a missed boarding pass scan and a lack of proper follow-up led to this costly mistake. After escalating the issue and persistence, United finally agreed to process a refund for the extra seat. This story highlights the importance of ensuring your extra seat is properly scanned.

If you reserve an extra seat on United Airlines, don’t forget to do this

September 25, 2024September 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Leigh Roberts and her wife book an extra seat on a trip from Orlando, Fla., to Venice, Italy. But United resells the seat to another passenger. Can Roberts get a refund?

When Jane Huang transferred $1,264 to her brother through PayPal, it never reached his account. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, including contacting PayPal and Xoom, and filing complaints with financial protection agencies, her money remained missing for six months. After persistent efforts and seeking help from a consumer advocacy site, PayPal finally refunded her the full amount plus $100. Her experience highlights the importance of verifying recipient details, monitoring transaction statuses, and the challenges of resolving lost money transfers with online payment services.

PayPal money transfer problem: What should I do if the money never gets there?

April 26, 2025September 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Jane Huang transferred $1,264 to her brother through PayPal, she expected him to get the money. But he never did.

It's easy to get treated like a second-class citizen when you travel: Just say the wrong thing.

Traveling? Here’s what to say if you want to get the worst treatment — guaranteed!

June 1, 2025September 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

It’s easy to get treated like a second-class citizen when you travel: Just say the wrong thing. That’s an undeniable fact that people are rediscovering during the busiest year in the history of modern travel.

For seasoned travelers like Rasa Urbonaite, safety comes first. Rasa relies on her iPhone, not just for directions or social media updates, but for something far more crucial: the Allianz travel insurance app. With real-time alerts and emergency assistance at her fingertips, her travel insurance app becomes a lifeline. These apps, including popular ones like Faye and Allianz's Allyz, offer everything from medical help to local safety warnings. Could your travel insurance app be your next essential travel companion?

Can a travel insurance app really keep you safer? Here’s the surprising answer

May 3, 2025September 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

A travel insurance app may be the last place you’d look when you’re concerned about safety. But for experienced travelers, it is becoming a first stop.

Mirella Veen, a resident of St. Maarten, faced a frustrating situation when her $430 Amazon package, containing computer equipment and shelves, went missing after being handed off to a freight forwarder. Despite Amazon's claims that the package was delivered, there was no proof of receipt, and the company refused to issue a refund or replacement. Mirella's persistence in dealing with automated responses and unhelpful customer service finally led to a resolution. But who was truly at fault, and what does Amazon's policy mean for international customers?

My Amazon package never arrived. Now they’re hiding behind a freight forwarder

September 27, 2024September 6, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Mirella Veen orders $430 worth of computer equipment and shelves through Amazon. But her freight forwarder loses it while shipping it to St. Maarten. Who’s responsible?

Jim Hutslar faced a challenging situation after a scooter accident forced him to cancel his British Airways flight. Despite receiving a promise from Expedia for a $1,987 ticket credit, he hit a roadblock when British Airways marked him as a "no-show" and canceled his entire trip. As a result, he was caught in a frustrating loop between Expedia and British Airways, each pointing the finger at the other. Discover how Jim navigated this complex issue and whether he managed to secure his ticket credit or lost his money for good.

Expedia says I have a $1,987 credit, but British Airways says I was a “no-show”

September 9, 2024September 4, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After a scooter accident, Jim Hutslar cancels his British Airways flight. Expedia offers him a $1,987 ticket credit. But British Airways refuses, claiming he was a “no show” for his flight. Is the money lost?

Tracy Pruss lost her iPhone 13 while boarding an American Airlines flight from Raleigh-Durham to Cincinnati. Despite using the Find My app to locate the phone near the gate desk, her attempts to retrieve it were met with delays and unhelpful responses from both the airport and the airline. As days passed and the battery dwindled, Pruss feared losing the phone—and its irreplaceable contents—forever. Desperate, she drove to the airport in Cincinnati for help. Will American Airlines find her phone before it's too late, or are these precious memories lost forever?

Can American Airlines find my irreplaceable iPhone before it’s too late?

December 2, 2025September 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Tracy Pruss lost her iPhone 13 as she boarded an American Airlines flight from Raleigh-Durham to Cincinnati. The device slipped out of her pocket on the jetway.