TAP Air Portugal reschedules — and then cancels — John Schmidt’s flights and he wants a refund. So why is the airline only offering a voucher? Read more “TAP Air Portugal rescheduled my flight — can I get a refund?”
How to get a surprise hotel smoking fee reversed? Like this
Getting a surprise hotel smoking fee reversed isn’t easy — even if you’re a non-smoker like Kelsey Russell. Or a determined consumer advocate. But it can be done. Here’s how. (Reprint) Read more “How to get a surprise hotel smoking fee reversed? Like this”
United Airlines flight credit: How to make the most of it after the pandemic
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. (Last updated March 31, 2020) Read more “United Airlines flight credit: How to make the most of it after the pandemic”
How consumer complaints work: The guide they don’t want you to read
To really understand how consumer complaints work, you need to know Murphy’s Law.
No, not that Murphy’s Law. The other one. That would be Dee Murphy, who contacted us after losing almost $4,000 on a trip.
Murphy — still talking about the other one — contacted me this weekend to thank me.
Sort of. Read more “How consumer complaints work: The guide they don’t want you to read”
Will I ever see my refund from Pacific Holidays?
After the coronavirus forced Pacific Holidays to cancel Helene Rosenthal’s tour last March she agreed to postpone her journey. But months later, her circumstances changed and Pacific Holidays promised to give Rosenthal a refund.
Or did it? Read more “Will I ever see my refund from Pacific Holidays?”
If a worried host asks you to pretend not to be a guest, it’s time to go
If your vacation rental host asks you to pretend not to be a guest during your stay, would you?
That’s the odd situation that confronted Josephine Avina last July when her family planned a short trip during the pandemic. But pretending not to be guests wasn’t the only thing the host wanted the Avinas to do. She also expected them to be OK with living in the remnants of a bachelorette party held the night before.
As you’ve probably already guessed, the Avinas with their two small children in tow weren’t OK with any of it. They promptly asked for a refund and took off for a hotel. And although the owner agreed to return their rental payment, it’s eight months later and the Avinas are still waiting.
Now, after a failed credit card dispute over the missing refund, the Elliott Advocacy team is the family’s last hope. Read more “If a worried host asks you to pretend not to be a guest, it’s time to go”
Coronavirus fears: What you need to know about canceling your vacation
Will ongoing fears about the coronavirus drive you to cancel your vacation plans in 2021? If you’re considering spending another year without travel, you aren’t alone. Throughout the pandemic, pleas for help from travelers who want to cancel cruises, flights, and hotels have inundated our helpline.
These consumers all hope to override the written contract they have with these providers and get a full refund.
But if you decide to cancel your vacation, can you get your money back? (Updated March 25, 2021)
Read more “Coronavirus fears: What you need to know about canceling your vacation”
Time may be running out to get your Vantage refund
Julie Mann wants an $18,266 refund from Vantage Travel. Last year, she and her husband Frank booked an anniversary cruise to Norway. But Vantage canceled the trip during the pandemic. Then the company automatically rescheduled the couple for August of this year without their approval. Mann wants her money back instead — and she’s losing her patience.
She has the right idea. Because when it comes to Vantage Travel refunds, patience may not be a virtue. Read more “Time may be running out to get your Vantage refund”
Can Lufthansa really cancel the flight and keep our money, too?
Did Lufthansa cancel Po Yee Fan’s flight during the pandemic and keep her money, too? That’s certainly what it looks like.
But no worries, the Elliott Advocacy team is here.
Read more “Can Lufthansa really cancel the flight and keep our money, too?”
Warning: Wear a mask or get banned from Uber — guaranteed!
Adrianna Allen just got banned from Uber for refusing to wear a mask while using the ridesharing service. She says she’s been falsely accused and has worn a face-covering during all her trips throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Now Allen wants the Elliott Advocacy team to ask why Uber banned her, and also get her premium membership reinstated. But with three separate drivers reporting her for refusing to wear a mask, that seems like a tall order.
Can we figure out what’s going on here? (Reprint) Read more “Warning: Wear a mask or get banned from Uber — guaranteed!”