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.
Will TSA’s new senior exemption make air travel safer?
Nothing makes you forget bad news faster than a little manufactured good news, a PR secret the TSA seems to have stumbled upon last week.
Is “opt-out” always wrong? The Wall Street Journal doesn’t think so
Is pre-checking the box on an online transaction always unethical? I thought the answer to that question was obvious after the federal government weighed in on the issue, declaring it an “unfair and deceptive” practice, and the state of Minnesota fined two insurance companies for opt-out violations.
A “best” rate guarantee with the worst service at Best Western
Best Western guarantees you’ll find the lowest rate on its website. Unless your name is Russ Thomas.
Who’s responsible for the scam epidemic?
For the 12th year in a row, ID theft is the number-one complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, the agency announced last week.
Did my rental company just disappear with my deposit?
Tom Frankel rented an apartment last fall through an agency called UsaParis. When he left the rental, he says it was in immaculate condition, and like any responsible renter, he expected to get his $500 security deposit back promptly.
Maybe Delta’s best fare guarantee just got a little better
The roundrip airfare between Minneapolis and Washington that Kevin McDonald found on Delta Air Lines’ website came to $386 — not bad. But when he checked Expedia.com, he found the same tickets for $62 less.
Canceled, confused, contaminated — and then ripped off
Kristen Hoyle just had one of those flights that give the airline industry an awful reputation.
Can a car rental company double my rate because I’m not American?
There’s something funny going on with car rental prices, and Hal Gordon wants answers.