Author: Michelle Couch-Friedman

Michelle Couch-Friedman is the executive director of Elliott Advocacy. She is a consumer advocate, writer, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialist and psychotherapist who spends as much time as possible exploring the world with her family. You can contact her at Michelle Couch-Friedman or on Linkedin. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Read more of Michelle's articles here.

United Airlines flight credit: How to make the most of it after the pandemic

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

The clock is ticking on Bernadine Fong’s sizable United Airlines flight credit, which she acquired during the pandemic. Around this time last year, she booked two business class tickets to Europe for a dream vacation. But that was before the coronavirus ruined everyone’s summer plans for 2020.

With the pandemic entering year two, Fong worries her nearly $11,000 flight credit with United Airlines is in jeopardy. Now she wants to know what to do to make sure to make the most of it before it expires. Read more “United Airlines flight credit: How to make the most of it after the pandemic”

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An Air Canada mistake caused me to be detained in Korea — for two weeks!!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Last August, an Air Canada agent made a mistake that set off a terrible chain of events for Sarahy Sigie Reyes. The end result? Sigie was detained in South Korea for 15 days against her will and at her own expense.

Now Sigie and her husband want the Elliott Advocacy team to convince Air Canada to pay for its agent’s mistake. But with the carrier routinely refusing to refund passengers even when required to do so, can we succeed?

We’ve reported on some pretty egregious happenings across the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic. However, after reading about Sigie’s experience, I think you’ll agree that her tale is the worst of all. (Good news update March 2 🙂 ) Read more “An Air Canada mistake caused me to be detained in Korea — for two weeks!!”

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What can you do if you sent money to a stranger by mistake?

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated March 2nd, 2021

What if you sent $500 to a stranger by mistake and that person refused to give back your money? That’s the shocking situation in which Rossin Asilo recently found herself.

Using the money transfer app Zelle for the first time, Asilo made a simple typo entering her friend’s phone number. That error dropped the cash intended for a memorial donation into the wrong person’s bank account. Unfortunately, that stranger appears to view the transaction as a $500 windfall and will not return the money.

Now Asilo is hoping that the Elliott Advocacy team can find a way to get her money back. But that request might just prove to be an impossible task.

Warning: If you’re an honest person, I guarantee that this story will make you angry.  (Updated Feb 27) Read more “What can you do if you sent money to a stranger by mistake?”

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An eBay gift card scam is running wild. This is how to avoid it

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Here come the eBay gift card scammers — and just in time to steal your cash after the holidays. But the Elliott Advocacy team is here too, warning you about these swindlers so you can avoid their trap.

We’ve received many pleas for help from distraught victims of this particular eBay gift card scam during the past month. They’ve lost hundreds and even thousands of dollars to this scheme. These consumers all want the same thing: to retrieve their stolen money from the anonymous predators who tricked them.

But is there any possible way to do that? (Reprint)

Read more “An eBay gift card scam is running wild. This is how to avoid it”

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Here’s how to quickly lose $1,300 to a stranger on Venmo!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated February 22nd, 2021

Cindy Baker thought she understood how to use Venmo. She didn’t. Her confusion about the money transfer app led her to send $1,300 from her bank account directly to a virtual stranger. And that person refuses to return it.

Now she is asking the Elliott Advocacy team for help.

Baker’s expensive lesson on how to use Venmo safely is one that anyone considering using a money transfer app should read. Although Venmo is a convenient way to send funds to friends and family, there are dangers involved. That is to say; the system is much like a wire transfer — once you hit send, your cash is gone. And retrieving it can be impossible. (Reprint) Read more “Here’s how to quickly lose $1,300 to a stranger on Venmo!”

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I wasted $2,000 on a vacation rental that does not exist!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated February 19th, 2021

Paul Trosclair says he just spent nearly two grand on a vacation rental that does not exist. To make matters worse, Vrbo sided with the person he believes is a thief disguised as a host.

Now Trosclair hopes the Elliott Advocacy team can prove this vacation rental is nonexistent and get his money back.

But can we do it? Read more “I wasted $2,000 on a vacation rental that does not exist!”

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Here it is: The most expensive car rental pricing mistake ever!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Marvin Payne believes he’s uncovered the most expensive car rental pricing mistake ever, and I think you might agree. Several weeks after returning his most recent vehicle, he got the shock of his life — a $6,000 upcharge.

The problem is, even three months down the road, Payless Car Rental won’t correct or even acknowledge its error.

Now Payne is hoping that the Elliott Advocacy team can fix this outrageous mistake. Read more “Here it is: The most expensive car rental pricing mistake ever!”

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This passport mistake will ruin your vacation every time

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |  | Updated February 18th, 2021

Prior to the current global pandemic, Trevor Seamon made a devastating passport mistake and it ruined his family’s dream vacation. In all the preparation for the journey to Italy, he neglected to check the validity of their passports. That error led the Seamons to arrive at the airport with passports expiring within 90 days — invalid for travel. Denied boarding, they missed their eagerly anticipated trip and ended up right back home at the end of the day.

Seamon believes Air France is responsible for this passport mistake, and he wants our team to negotiate a refund. But is the airline responsible for the family’s ruined vacation? (Reprint) Read more “This passport mistake will ruin your vacation every time”

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Here are the answers to the top coronavirus travel questions

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Do you need a comprehensive guide to help you handle all of your coronavirus travel questions? No worries, the Elliott Advocacy team has you covered.

During the past month, our team has been busy advocating cases like never before — 24 hours a day. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked coronavirus travel questions we’ve received. (Last updated Feb 5, 2021) Read more “Here are the answers to the top coronavirus travel questions”

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