Everything you need to know about EC 261 and European air travel rights

By Christopher Elliott |

If you’re flying on a European airline, you have more rights than you may think. The reason? EC 261 (also referred to as the EU 261), the European consumer regulation, gives broad protection for passengers — far broader than anything offered by U.S. airlines.

But it’s not a perfect regulation and it doesn’t apply to every flight. What’s more, the rule has been strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects on EC 261 could last a generation. Bottom line: You need to study EC 261 carefully before invoking it. But it’s worth knowing. Read more “Everything you need to know about EC 261 and European air travel rights”

What happens when your travel agent never paid for your cruise

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

What if you flew across the Atlantic Ocean for a much anticipated cruise only to find out that your travel agent never paid for it?

That’s exactly what happened to Peggy Wimberly. She got an awful surprise when she showed up in Barcelona for her Mediterranean cruise aboard MSC’s Meraviglia. Although Wimberly had made full payment for the trip months before, her travel agent never paid for the cruise. As a result of the nonpayment, MSC canceled the reservation weeks before the sailing. And although MSC eventually allowed Wimberly to board the ship, it cost her an unexpected additional $1,633 — and the loss of her preferred cabin.

Can the Elliott Advocacy team figure out what went wrong here?  Read more “What happens when your travel agent never paid for your cruise”

Did my refundable ticket become nonrefundable because of the pandemic?

By Jennifer Finger |

Adam Chang purchased a “refundable” ticket through Expedia. He has a confirmation and an email from Expedia to prove it. Yet now that he’s canceled his reservation, all he can expect to receive for the ticket is a credit for future travel. He requested a cash refund, but his request didn’t get off the ground. He’s baffled and angry. Read more “Did my refundable ticket become nonrefundable because of the pandemic?”

The cruise left without them! This is what happened next

By Michelle Couch-Friedman |

Many months before the coronavirus brought the cruise industry to halt, Marcelino and Julieta Bautista found themselves in a terrible predicament. The couple redeemed a free “Casinos at Sea” award for a cruise through the Alaskan glaciers. But they pressed their bets too far when they flew into Anchorage on the same day as embarkation. And although their flight arrived as scheduled, something went terribly wrong and the ship left without them.

As a result, that freebie cruise turned out to be no bargain at all. The couple was forced to pay thousands of dollars to catch up with NCL’s Jewel. Bautista says that the cruise line made the mistake that caused the ship to leave without them.

Now he wants reimbursement for all their extra expenses and wants Elliott Advocacy to help get it. Can we do it? (Reprint) Read more “The cruise left without them! This is what happened next”