Skip to content
Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Destinations
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • Safe Travels
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Red List/Green List
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Christopher Elliott’s books
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us
Get Help
Elliott Report

Elliott Report

  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Destinations
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • Safe Travels
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Red List/Green List
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Christopher Elliott’s books
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Tourists are increasingly breaking laws and exhibiting poor behavior while on vacation, from cultural faux pas to criminal acts. Experts attribute this to entitlement and post-pandemic recklessness. Learn how to avoid legal trouble and cultural missteps, and why a sincere apology can go a long way.

What’s the worst thing you’ve done on vacation?

June 4, 2025June 1, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Confession time! What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done on vacation?

Categories On Travel
Travel insurance is essential for summer vacations, safeguarding against unexpected events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. It typically covers trip cancellation, medical expenses, travel delays, and emergency assistance, ensuring peace of mind while traveling. Without it, travelers risk significant financial losses and stress during their trips. Travel insurance is crucial for summer vacations, protecting against unforeseen events such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage. It generally covers trip cancellation, medical expenses, travel delays, and emergency assistance, providing peace of mind. Without it, travelers face potential financial losses and added stress during their journeys.

Do I need travel insurance for my summer vacation?

May 4, 2025May 3, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

With vacation season just around the corner, many travelers are asking themselves: Do I need travel insurance for my summer vacation?

Categories Safe Travels
It's easy to get treated like a second-class citizen when you travel: Just say the wrong thing.

Traveling? Here’s what to say if you want to get the worst treatment — guaranteed!

June 1, 2025September 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

It’s easy to get treated like a second-class citizen when you travel: Just say the wrong thing. That’s an undeniable fact that people are rediscovering during the busiest year in the history of modern travel.

Categories On Travel
Travel safety this fall is uncertain, with experts highlighting key concerns. Popular destinations are reacting against overtourism, while rising instability in regions like the Middle East and Ukraine poses risks. The contentious U.S. presidential election could also impact Americans abroad. As a frequent traveler, I share my itinerary and safety strategies for Dublin, Istanbul, and Doha. Expert tips emphasize researching destinations, having an emergency plan, and avoiding political discussions to stay safe. Take common-sense precautions to travel safely this fall.

Is it safe to travel this fall? Maybe not

October 24, 2024August 10, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Like many Americans, I’m traveling this fall. And like many Americans, I’m wondering: Is it safe to travel this fall?

Categories Safe Travels
John Smaistrla, a civil engineer from Houston, had a close call with a pickpocket on the Paris Métro Line 3. He felt a bump but thought nothing of it until he noticed his pants pocket zippers partially open. Thankfully, his wallet was still there, thanks to his secure travel shorts with triple-secure pockets. Pickpocketing is a growing issue for travelers, with thousands of Americans reporting stolen passports yearly. Experts advise using zippered pockets, crossbody bags, and being vigilant in crowded areas to prevent falling victim to these skilled thieves.

Traveling somewhere? Here’s how not to be a pickpocket victim

May 18, 2025August 4, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

On a recent trip to Paris, John Smaistrla was just a bump away from becoming a pickpocket victim. 

Categories On Travel
Shirley Barchi doesn't want anyone to know she's American when she travels abroad.

These tourists don’t want anyone to know they’re American. Here’s why.

September 14, 2024July 6, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Shirley Barchi doesn’t want anyone to know she’s American when she travels abroad.

Categories On Travel
Travel insurance can be crucial for summer vacations, but it’s not always necessary. Kingsley Hopkins, traveling to Portugal and Iceland, seeks coverage for medical emergencies and trip disruptions. With high travel demand and potential risks like natural disasters and health issues, older travelers especially should consider insurance. However, you might skip it if you already have coverage or if your trip is low-risk. Evaluate your prepaid expenses and international travel plans to decide. Hopkins opts for refundable bookings and a Medjet Horizon plan for peace of mind, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Do I need travel insurance for my summer vacation? It’s complicated

May 21, 2025June 22, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you’re planning to travel somewhere this summer, you’re probably thinking of buying travel insurance.

Categories On Travel
If it feels like you have a target on your back when you're traveling, you might be right. American tourists are being profiled like never before, often in harmless ways, but sometimes with serious consequences. For example, in Colombia, being identified as an American tourist could lead to drugging, robbery, or worse. The State Department warns of escalating dangers, emphasizing caution. While most profiling is just annoying, some can be hazardous to your health. Learn how to avoid being targeted and stay safe abroad.

Warning: American tourists are being profiled. Don’t be one of them!

July 10, 2024June 15, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If it feels like you have a target on your back when you’re traveling, you might be right. Tourists are being profiled like never before.

Categories On Travel
When a U.S. Customs agent confiscates Adriana Cordero's passport, she tries to get it back. But government bureaucracy is standing between her and her ID.

U.S. Customs confiscated her passport. How does she get it back?

December 6, 2023April 3, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When a U.S. Customs agent confiscates Adriana Cordero’s passport, she tries to get it back. But government bureaucracy is standing between her and her ID.

Categories Problem Solved

Travelers, here’s what to expect in 2018

January 31, 2024December 25, 2017 by Christopher Elliott

Fellow travelers, it’s not too soon to start thinking about your 2018 itineraries.

Categories Commentary

What’s Your Problem?

If you have a consumer problem, please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. We’re always here to help. Our help is free.

Get Help

Our Newsletter

Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Did we mention it's free?

Sign Up

What's This Site?

The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers.

Join Us

Follow Us

© 2025 Elliott Report | Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • Features
    • Advocacy
    • Problem Solved
    • On Travel
    • The Travel Troubleshooter
    • Ultimate Consumer Guides
  • Company Contacts
  • Sites
    • Elliott Advocacy
    • Elliott Confidential
    • EA Facebook Group
  • Newsletters
    • Elliott Advocacy Today (Daily)
    • Elliott Confidential (Premium)
    • Elliott’s E-Mail (Weekly)
    • Media Leads (Weekly)
  • Advocacy
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Get Help

Don't Miss a Story!

Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. 

Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!