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Elliott Report

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FIRST CLASS

Thomas Sennett's involuntary downgrade on American Airlines leads to a refund debacle. How was the fare difference resolved?

American Airlines downgraded us. Can I get the fare difference refunded?

April 7, 2025September 18, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

American Airlines downgrades Thomas Sennett and his family to economy class on their flights from Boston to Phoenix. Why isn’t it refunding the fare difference?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
They're spoiled. They're demanding. And they're ruining travel for everyone else. That's what employees say about entitled travelers.

Putting entitled travelers in their place

February 5, 2024November 14, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

They’re spoiled. They’re demanding. And they’re ruining travel for everyone else. That’s what employees say about entitled travelers.

Categories Commentary
Privilege and human dignity in air travel: that the elites sitting in the big seats are subsidizing everyone else's low fares.

Maybe first class passengers aren’t so special after all

February 5, 2024November 13, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

One piece of conventional wisdom has gone unchallenged during our ongoing debate about class, privilege and human dignity in air travel: that the elites sitting in the big seats are subsidizing everyone else’s low fares.

Categories Commentary
"We feel like we were taken advantage of," says Mike Sevier, who recently flew on US Airways. "Scammed at worst."

He paid for a first-class seat, but it didn’t last all the way to Portland

January 29, 2024December 22, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

“We feel like we were taken advantage of,” says Mike Sevier, who recently flew on US Airways. “Scammed at worst.”

Categories Should I Take The Case?
When Gloria Brimley booked a flight through Cheaptickets, she thought she was getting a cheap first class seat.

She says she paid for a first-class ticket, so why didn’t she get one?

January 29, 2024October 14, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

When Gloria Brimley booked a flight through Cheaptickets, she thought she was getting a cheap first class seat.

Categories Case Dismissed
It's a six-hour flight from Honolulu to Phoenix, so when a US Airways agent offered Blair Fell an upgrade to first class for just $350.

Worst upgrade ever — how about a refund?

January 22, 2024July 3, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

It’s a six-hour flight from Honolulu to Phoenix, so when a US Airways agent offered Blair Fell an upgrade to first class for just $350, he jumped at the opportunity.

Categories Commentary
In the customer service world, a first-class, roundtrip ticket anywhere the airline flies is United's way of saying, "We're really sorry."

United Airlines promised me two first class tickets — where are they?

January 22, 2024May 28, 2012 by Christopher Elliott

In the customer service world, a first-class, roundtrip ticket anywhere the airline flies is the ultimate mea culpa — an airline’s way of saying, “We’re really sorry.”

Categories Commentary
Should an airline's first class section be adults-only? Compelling reason for keeping babies in the back -- if not off the plane entirely.

Let’s ban babies in first class once and for all

January 20, 2024July 13, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

Should an airline’s first class section be adults-only? Ask passengers like James Armstrong, and you’ll hear a compelling reason for keeping babies in the back — if not off the plane entirely.

Categories Commentary
So they're getting rid of first class, are they? At least that's what our friends in the traditional media are reporting.

Buh-bye first class? Wouldn’t that be nice

January 19, 2024October 20, 2010 by Christopher Elliott

So they’re getting rid of first class, are they? At least that’s what our friends in the traditional media are reporting.

Categories Commentary

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