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Elliott Report

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SEAT ASSIGNMENT

Leigh Roberts and her wife purchased an extra seat on a flight from Orlando to Venice, only to find out that United Airlines resold it to another passenger. Despite multiple attempts to get a refund, United initially refused, citing nonrefundable ticket policies. However, a missed boarding pass scan and a lack of proper follow-up led to this costly mistake. After escalating the issue and persistence, United finally agreed to process a refund for the extra seat. This story highlights the importance of ensuring your extra seat is properly scanned.

If you reserve an extra seat on United Airlines, don’t forget to do this

September 25, 2024September 11, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Leigh Roberts and her wife book an extra seat on a trip from Orlando, Fla., to Venice, Italy. But United resells the seat to another passenger. Can Roberts get a refund? 

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
Vivienne Pearson’s airline seat -- the one for which she paid an extra 40 pounds -- doesn’t recline. A flight attendant promised her a refund, but now the airline is balking.

I paid extra for my British Airways seat, but it didn’t recline

February 1, 2024August 12, 2017 by Christopher Elliott

Vivienne Pearson’s airline seat — the one for which she paid an extra 40 pounds — doesn’t recline. A flight attendant promised her a refund, but now the airline is balking.

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter

Why did I pay Swiss an extra $99 for a middle seat?

July 15, 2024August 11, 2017 by Christopher Elliott

Shelley Benjamin thought she’d paid $99 for an aisle seat reservation on a Swiss flight to Zürich. But then she tried to find room for her baby.

Categories The Travel Troubleshooter
travel, backpack, pack, trip, tired, tiring, weary, trail

These are the most outrageous travel fees

February 1, 2024August 7, 2017 by Christopher Elliott

The travel industry seems to always have its hand out — sometimes literally.

Categories Commentary, On Travel
Flying with a disability is never easy, in past, airlines have lightened the burden a little by offering passengers advance seat assignments.

As airlines try to monetize seat assignments, are passengers with disabilities being left behind?

March 2, 2024June 5, 2017 by Christopher Elliott

Flying with a disability is never easy, but in the past, airlines have lightened the burden a little by offering passengers such as Scott Nold advance seat assignments.

Categories Commentary
That's what I did when I heard from Nicholas Gilbert, who just wanted to sit next to his wife on an upcoming American Airlines flight.

Should airlines charge more for a seat assignment?

January 26, 2024June 2, 2014 by Christopher Elliott

… Read more

Categories Case Dismissed

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