Author: Michelle Couch-Friedman

Michelle Couch-Friedman is the executive director of Elliott Advocacy. She is a consumer advocate, writer and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialist 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.

You should not cruise with just a passport card. This is why

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

It’s never a great idea to cruise with just a passport card. If you’ve ever thought about doing it, you’ll want to read this cautionary tale.

Daniel Sellers’ cruise fiasco is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. Things may go just fine. But you should consider what will happen if you miss the boat and need to take a flight to catch up with it. Because although you can cruise with just a passport card, you can’t fly anywhere internationally with one. (Reprint)

Read more “You should not cruise with just a passport card. This is why”

United Airlines sent my refund to a closed account. What now?

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Last March, United Airlines canceled Eric Noderer’s flight to India and sent his refund to a closed credit card account. Since then, he’s been in an endless battle between the airline and Chase to locate the missing $2,217.

Now he’s hoping the Elliott Advocacy team can provide the backup assistance he needs to find and retrieve his money.

Can we do it? Read more “United Airlines sent my refund to a closed account. What now?”

You should not buy jewelry during your cruise! This is why

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Should you buy jewelry on a cruise? Well, if you’re Charles Onufer, the answer is no. But he came home from his last Regent cruise with over $9,500 of unwanted gems from Diamonds International. He says that during a port stop in Mexico, salespeople intimidated him into buying all of that unwanted jewelry. The jeweler says no such hard-sell occurred and that this is a simple case of buyer’s remorse. Is there a way to fix this problem?  (Reprint) Read more “You should not buy jewelry during your cruise! This is why”

Looking for an Overseas Adventure Travel refund? Here is the good news!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Did Overseas Adventure Travel or another tour company promise you a refund during the pandemic and then renege later? If so, you’re certainly not alone. One of the most frequent complaints we’re fielding involves tour operators changing contract terms after the coronavirus cancellation wave began.

The good news? One of the top tour operators has recently changed its stance once more — this time, in favor of its customers. If you’ve been battling for a refund from Overseas Adventure Travel or Grand Circle during the pandemic, you’re in luck. Read more “Looking for an Overseas Adventure Travel refund? Here is the good news!”

Help! I’m being limited to 15 booze drinks per day on my cruise

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

If you buy an unlimited alcoholic beverages package from your cruise line, can it change the terms later? That’s what Joan Barrett wants to know.

Barrett says that she was enticed to book a Princess cruise by the lure of an unlimited alcoholic beverages package. But later, Princess Cruises changed the terms to “just” 15 cocktails per day. And those changes are unacceptable to Barrett. (reprint) Read more “Help! I’m being limited to 15 booze drinks per day on my cruise”

Yes, United Airlines owes you a refund if it cancels part of your flight!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

When United Airlines cancels part of Brian Ostenso’s flight to Australia, he quickly responds with a request for a refund. But then, just as swiftly, the airline sends him a $6,824 future flight credit for the entire trip.

Ostenso doesn’t want a future flight credit. He wants a refund for the entire flight that United Airlines canceled. And he wants the Elliott Advocacy team to help him get it. But can we? (reprint) Read more “Yes, United Airlines owes you a refund if it cancels part of your flight!”

Hurt on vacation? Do not make this travel insurance mistake

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

After she was seriously hurt on vacation, Molly Brooks made a giant, but not uncommon, travel insurance mistake. She left the rural Mexican hospital where she received pricey emergency services and flew home without any documentation of treatment. Her only evidence of hospitalization was a non-itemized $6,000 credit card receipt. As could be expected, this lack of documentation presented an insurmountable problem when she filed her travel insurance claim.

A year later, her injuries have healed, but Brooks is still fighting a battle with her travel insurance company. Now she wants the Elliott Advocacy team to help get her  $6,000 travel insurance claim approved. But can we? (reprint) Read more “Hurt on vacation? Do not make this travel insurance mistake”

My luggage went missing on the way to the cruise. I want a full refund!

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

If your luggage goes missing on the way to your cruise, should you get a full refund? Pamela Shane thinks so. She says her pre-cruise hotel failed to deliver her suitcase to the dock in time for the ship’s departure. Now she wants $7,000 in compensation for the mistake that left her without her own clothes for the entire cruise.

But wait! There’s a twist. The hotel says it doesn’t even offer such a luggage delivery service.

Can the Elliott Advocacy team figure out what’s going on here? (reprint) Read more “My luggage went missing on the way to the cruise. I want a full refund!”

If the coronavirus ruined your travel plans, this is what you need to know

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

If the coronavirus ruined your travel plans and you got stuck with a bill, you’re not the only one.

Since this crisis brought the travel industry to a halt, we’ve received more pleas for help than ever. Travelers need guidance navigating the complicated, ever-changing, and often confusing cancellation and refund policies created during the pandemic.

As we approach the six-month mark of the coronavirus crisis, here’s what you need to know about those cancellation policies — so you don’t end up taking a financial hit.
Read more “If the coronavirus ruined your travel plans, this is what you need to know”

This is what happens when your airline convinces you to cancel your flight over coronavirus

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

If an airline convinces you to cancel your flight during the coronavirus pandemic, can you still get a refund? That’s what Lon Allan is asking today.

In March, Allan was sitting at home, minding his own business when an email from United Airlines arrived. At first blush, it seemed the airline had concern for Allan’s possible need to cancel his upcoming flight over coronavirus. But scratch the surface, and the motivation behind this email becomes crystal clear. Unfortunately, Allan didn’t recognize the friendly overture wasn’t all it seemed until it was too late.

Now Allan wants help retrieving the $8,631 he paid for the flight that United Airlines convinced him to cancel.

But is that possible?  (reprint- updated Aug. 20) Read more “This is what happens when your airline convinces you to cancel your flight over coronavirus”