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.

There's a war of scents going on at 36,000 feet, and it's escalating in ways you can't see, but will probably smell. Some passengers are treating personal hygiene as if it's optional. Others are taking matters into their own hands by spraying unapproved scents. Airlines, meanwhile, are maintaining a double standard for smells.

Air travel smells worse than ever. Is there a fix?

December 7, 2025March 23, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

There’s a war of scents going on at 36,000 feet. But what should you do when air travel smells bad?

Jan Hustler is having trouble with her AAA homeowners insurance. She didn't repair her roof on time and now has lost her coverage. But the company didn't tell her about the requirement until it was too late. Can she get her homeowners insurance coverage back?

AAA homeowners insurance trouble: They never told me I had to fix the roof!

March 23, 2024March 22, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Jan Hustler is having trouble with her AAA homeowners insurance. She didn’t repair her roof on time and now has lost her coverage. But the company didn’t tell her about the requirement until it was too late. Can she get her homeowners insurance coverage back?

There's mold in my Vrbo rental!

Vrbo refund problem: The company owes me $21,014 for my replacement rental in Hawaii!

September 15, 2025March 20, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Cheryl Mander’s rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, Vrbo agrees pay her $21,014 for her replacement. Now she has a Vrbo refund problem, because it won’t pay up.

When Coty Cockrell found out he'd be stuck in Mexico City for a day after missing a flight connection, an Aeromexico representative told him not to worry. The airline would cover his lodging and food expenses. It didn't.

A missed connection and a $300 bill — did Aeromexico offer him enough compensation?

May 11, 2026March 18, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Coty Cockrell found out he’d be stuck in Mexico City for a day after missing a flight connection, an Aeromexico representative told him not to worry. The airline would cover his lodging and food expenses. It didn’t.

The travel industry pretends to be green. It's lying.

Yes, your vacation is destroying the planet. Here’s how to stop.

April 12, 2025March 16, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Find out how your vacation is destroying the planet and what you can do to make more sustainable choices.

Yilun Liu canceled her Sears dishwasher order more than three months ago. But the company is still holding her $540. Will she ever get a refund?

I canceled my Sears dishwasher order. But where’s my refund?

February 7, 2025March 15, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Yilun Liu canceled her Sears dishwasher order more than three months ago. But the company is still holding her $540. Will she ever get a refund?

American Queen Voyages, which is teetering on the brink of insolvency, is holding up Terrance Hardy's refund. The reason? It can't figure out how much a Delta SkyMile is worth.

How much is a Delta SkyMile worth? This nearly bankrupt cruise line wants to know

July 10, 2024March 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

American Queen Voyages, which is teetering on the brink of insolvency, is holding up Terrance Hardy’s refund. The reason? It can’t figure out how much a Delta SkyMile is worth.

Carnival bans a couple because it finds CBD mints in their backpack. But you’ll never guess what happened next. Here’s what happened to them – and what it could mean for your next cruise.

Banned by their cruise line because of CBD candies. But you’ll never guess what happened next

July 21, 2024March 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Carnival bans a couple because it finds CBD mints in their backpack. Here’s what happened to them – and what it could mean for your next cruise.

Airlines will rake in a record $964 billion from passengers in 2024, up 7.5 percent from last year. Here's how to get a cheap ticket anyway.

Fight back against high airfares! Here’s how to get a cheaper flight now

September 25, 2024March 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Airlines will rake in a record $964 billion from passengers in 2024, up 7.5 percent from last year. Here’s how to get a cheap ticket anyway.

Sue Maier's sister sends her luggage to London via UPS, but the package misses her by a day. Can she get her money back for the shipping costs?

UPS missed my delivery. Can I get a refund?

March 16, 2024March 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Sue Maier’s sister sends her luggage to London, but UPS misses the delivery by a day. Can she get her money back for the shipping costs?