A storm ruined their vacation. Is a refund on the horizon?
When a tropical storm ruined their vacation, Randie and Michael Wolfe turned to their hotel for a refund. But this problem didn’t end as you would expect.
Commentary
Elliott Advocacy is a nonprofit organization that mediates cases between consumers and businesses. These are commentary articles that detail our efforts and provide educational information for consumers.
What happens when you need small claims help?
Sometimes, you have no choice. You need small claims help, and you need it now. It’s time to head to small claims court.
Consider what happened to Meghan Robinson, who recently bought a mini-pig named Peaches from a business called — I’m not making this up — Mini Pig World.
This is how to master the art of travel
Travel is an art, not a science.
Read enough columns, and you might think being the world’s smartest traveler is a paint-by-number proposition, an easy formula you can follow.
Planning your estate? Watch for these shady practices
There’s a lot to watch out for when you’re planning your estate.
Bad advice. High fees. Trust mills.
“Death brings out the worst in people,” says Francine Kent, an estate appraiser from Sarasota, Fla.
Unscrupulous advisors prey on the elderly and their heirs with questionable legal advice, unnecessary bills, and the ever-present living trust come-ons.
The surprising reasons travelers file insurance claims
If you’ve bought a travel insurance policy, here’s the next logical question: What could possibly go wrong?
That’s a question Squaremouth set out to answer as part of its campaign to promote real life claims — a topic that’s near and dear to my advocates, too.
Interested in a DNA vacation? Better read this first
When Richard Hill set out to find his biological parents, he didn’t expect he would wind up on a vacation. But when his DNA test results came in, he hit the road.
Talking up travel industry ‘chatbots’
Travel chatbots are having a moment. It’s about time.
After a few false starts, these automated programs that answer basic questions, find deals or secure refunds are slowly coming into their own. And they might be worth trying.
Your Greyhound bus is late – what can you do about it?
Jason Levitis emailed me recently from Greyhound bus No. 2559 from New York to D.C., which was supposed to arrive at 11 p.m. The problem? It was 12:25 a.m. and the motor coach was cruising down Interstate 95.
Free Southwest Airlines tickets? Here they are
If you’ve been waiting for me to give away those free Southwest Airlines tickets, your wait is over. It’s the last few days of your favorite consumer advocacy site’s spring fundraiser, and I’m ready to send tickets to a few lucky supporters.
Twice a year, we raise money from readers to pay the bills. We’ve almost met our goal. You can qualify for the ticket giveaway now by becoming an Elliott Advocacy supporter at any level.
Warning! The change password scam is back. Here’s how to avoid it
The change password scam has returned with a vengeance.
Have you received an email warning that your email or social media account password has “expired” and inviting you to follow a link to change it? If so, congratulations. You’re a target of the newest scam — and also one of the oldest in the book.