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Elliott Report

Elliott Report

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MISTAKE

When Jose Portela tries to cancel one of his airline tickets on ITA, the carrier cancels the wrong one. Now he has to pay more for a new ticket. Shouldn't the airline cover his loss?

ITA ticket mistake: They canceled my grandson’s ticket!

April 26, 2025April 2, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Jose Portela tries to cancel one of his airline tickets on ITA, the carrier cancels the wrong one. Now he has to pay more for a new ticket. Shouldn’t the airline cover his loss?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Satrupa Kagel, an American Airlines frequent flier, booked an award ticket from Tokyo to San Francisco only to discover the day before her flight that American Airlines had canceled her reservation without notice. After spending $3,548 on a last-minute ticket, she sought a refund from American Airlines. Despite months of waiting and no response, she finally got the airline to acknowledge their mistake and issue a full refund, including her miles. This case highlights the challenges of dealing with American Airlines and the importance of confirming your flight reservation.

American Airlines canceled my business class ticket by accident. Can you fix it?

May 1, 2025September 25, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

A day before Satrupa Kagel’s flight from Tokyo to San Francisco, she finds out American Airlines canceled her ticket. Is she on the hook for the $3,548 she had to spend for a last-minute ticket?

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
When Maura Ruzhnikov sends money to a stranger by mistake on Zelle, she tries to undo the transaction. That's easier said than done. Will she ever get her money back?

I sent a stranger money through Zelle by mistake. How do I undo it?

January 19, 2024March 28, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When Maura Ruzhnikov sends money to a stranger by mistake on Zelle, she tries to undo the transaction. That’s easier said than done. Will she ever get her money back?

Categories Problem Solved

Don’t do this! 3 insurance claims mistakes new travelers make

March 22, 2024October 30, 2017 by Christopher Elliott

If there’s a busy season for travel insurance claims, this is probably it. Summer vacations are over, some prematurely. Hundreds of thousands of claims are working their way through the system.

Categories Commentary
She didn't smoke in her room. So why did her hotel charge her?

There’s no smoke in my hotel room, so what’s this $250 charge?

February 6, 2024October 21, 2016 by Christopher Elliott

When Samantha Armstrong sees a $250 charge on her hotel bill, she’s told it’s because she smoked in her room. Just one small problem: Armstrong doesn’t smoke.

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter

Oops, wrong theater — how about a refund?

February 5, 2024October 22, 2015 by Christopher Elliott

Arlene Verge’s theater tickets are for a performance in the wrong city. They’re also nonrefundable. Does she have any chance of getting her money back?

Categories Problem Solved
Pigs can fly. At least on US Airways. A passenger packed an oversize "emotional support" pig on a flight from Connecticut to Washington.

Flying pigs can make you a better traveler – here’s how

January 29, 2024December 20, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

Pigs can fly. At least on US Airways. A passenger packed an oversize “emotional support” pig on a flight from Connecticut to Washington.

Categories Commentary
The secrets to a hassle-free vacation seem simple enough. Here's how to avoid the most common travel mistakes.

The 5 most common travel mistakes — and how to avoid them

January 26, 2024May 18, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

… Read more

Categories The Navigator
If you have a gripe with a company — and let's face it, at some point, everyone has a gripe — here's a cautionary tale about complaining.

The biggest complaint mistake you’ll ever make

February 11, 2025February 12, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

If you have a gripe with a company — and let’s face it, at some point, everyone has a gripe with a company — here’s a cautionary tale about complaining.

Categories Problem Solved
A reminder of my biggest consumer mistake ever is collecting dust. I've never told anyone about it. Until now.

The biggest mistake I ever made as a consumer

January 23, 2024October 30, 2013 by Christopher Elliott

Somewhere in the attic of my old house in Key Largo, Fla., a reminder of my biggest consumer mistake ever is collecting dust. I’ve never told anyone about it. Until now.

Categories Problem Solved
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