CUSTOMER SERVICE Archives

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed -- and will the charge stick?

Lyft surprised me with a $150 cleaning charge. Is that allowed?

December 18, 2025March 6, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed — and will the charge stick?

Mark Hartwig's vacation rental in Montreal was "such a bizarre experience" that he has trouble putting into words.

“Such a bizarre” rental experience on Vrbo — but do they even care?

September 30, 2025March 4, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Mark Hartwig’s vacation rental in Montreal was “such a bizarre experience” that he has trouble putting into words.

Your next flight may get an upgrade. No, not as in a bigger seat in the front of the cabin. It's bigger than that -- much bigger.

Is air travel getting better? Here are the surprising reasons it is

August 2, 2024March 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Your next flight may get an upgrade.
No, not as in a bigger seat in the front of the cabin. It’s bigger than that — much bigger.

Carolyn Hoke's anticipation for a serene seven-night river cruise from St. Louis to Minneapolis with American Queen Voyages turned into a prolonged ordeal of frustration and uncertainty. After the unexpected cancellation of her cruise in November 2022, Carolyn found herself ensnared in a seemingly endless wait for a refund of $10,126. Despite her persistent efforts, including calls to the company, escalations to the accounting department, and complaints to the Florida Division of Consumer Service, the refund remained elusive. As she navigated the maze of customer service apologies and bureaucratic dead ends, the ominous shadow of the company's potential bankruptcy loomed large, threatening to engulf her hopes of reclaiming her hard-earned money. This tale of perseverance against the tides of corporate negligence unfolds as Carolyn, with the help of consumer advocacy, confronts the daunting challenge of securing her refund from the brink of a collapsing cruise line.

Help! American Queen Voyages canceled my cruise but kept my $10,126

March 21, 2024March 1, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Carolyn Hoke has been waiting more than a year for her refund from American Queen Voyages for a canceled cruise. Why is it taking so long — and how can she speed up the process?

Elaine Simmons' cruise vacation turned into a nightmare when her NCL flight reservation vanished. Left scrambling at the airport, she paid an exorbitant $1,796 to secure alternative tickets. Despite pleading with NCL for reimbursement, they directed her to their travel insurance provider, AON, which rejected her claim. Even disputing the charge on her credit card proved futile. Exasperated and out of options, Elaine sought mediation. With resolve, she turned to an advocacy team, hoping they could compel NCL to take responsibility for their oversight and compensate her for the unexpected expense.

I paid an extra $1,796 to get to my cruise. Why won’t NCL reimburse me?

September 5, 2024February 28, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After Elaine Simmons’ flight reservation is lost, she pays an extra $1,796 to get to her NCL cruise. Why won’t the cruise line help her recover the money?

Marcia Krantz's dream vacations turned into nightmares with Celebrity Cruises, first to the Galapagos and then Europe. Faced with unbearable cabin temperatures, health issues, and an unsympathetic response to a family tragedy, Krantz seeks a refund or credit. Celebrity Cruises promises luxury and exceptional experiences, yet Krantz's adventures fell short. As we delve into the intricacies of what Celebrity guarantees versus the reality of Krantz's experiences, we confront the challenging question: does she deserve compensation for her grievances, and if so, what form should it take?

Can I get my money back for a bad cruise?

January 30, 2026February 26, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Marcia Krantz wants her money back for her Celebrity cruise. She sailed to the Galapagos last year but didn’t enjoy it. And then her replacement cruise to Europe also tanked.

Diego Vega found himself unwittingly enrolled in Uber One through a Capital One offer, facing charges for a service he never wanted. Despite attempts to unenroll, both companies were unresponsive, leaving him trapped in a subscription nightmare. This story explores the ease of signing up for such memberships, the challenges in canceling them, and the relentless marketing that follows. It highlights the crucial steps to cancel unwanted subscriptions and the importance of vigilance with credit card offers. An investigation into Vega's situation reveals a surprising twist, offering a resolution and shedding light on consumer rights.

I never ordered Uber One. Please help me get my money back!

August 1, 2025February 23, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Diego Vega is signed up for Uber One. He has no idea how he’s been enrolled in the monthly $9.99 membership, but he does know one thing: He wants to un-enroll. But how?

When Leah Page picks up her rental car from Thrifty, it charges her a $250 upgrade fee. Can it do that without her permission? And how can she get a refund?

Oh no! Thrifty charged me an extra $250 for a car rental upgrade. Can I get a refund?

March 20, 2025February 21, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Leah Page picks up her rental car from Thrifty, it charges her a $250 upgrade fee. Can it do that without her permission? And how can she get a refund?

After UPS loses Vanessa Armendariz' return package to Amazon, she can't get her money back. Whose responsibility is this? And should she have to pay for someone else's mistake?

UPS lost my package! But is Amazon’s resolution fair?

April 26, 2025February 16, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After UPS loses Vanessa Armendariz’ return package to Amazon, she can’t get her money back. Whose responsibility is this? And should she have to pay for someone else’s mistake?

I canceled my cruise, but my $19,148 credit card claim is lost at sea

August 8, 2024February 14, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Brent Feinberg and his wife cancel their cruise after a medical emergency. Why won’t their credit card cover their $19,148 loss?

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