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

VACATION RENTALS

Travelers worry about vacation rental safety. Learn how to research neighborhood crime, read rental reviews, and use online tools for safer bookings. Understand how AI and crime databases can help.

How to find a safe neighborhood for your next vacation rental

June 17, 2025June 14, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Ashley Hampton traveled to New Orleans recently, she worried about security.  

Categories Safe Travels
As summer travel heats up, travelers like Sharmistha Das are facing increased cleaning fees from companies like Lyft. With reports of careless behavior and profit-driven charges, discover the reasons behind this trend and learn how to avoid unexpected fees during your travels this season.

Why are travelers making such a mess this summer?

May 26, 2025May 25, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Sharmistha Das says she didn’t trash her Lyft. But her driver claims she dragged her bicycle helmet along the side of his door, leaving several long scuff marks. 

Categories On Travel
Vacation rentals may seem like the perfect solution, but don’t be fooled by glossy photos and cheap listings. From artificially enhanced pictures to sneaky extra fees, the vacation rental game has plenty of hidden traps. With prices on the rise, how can you find a deal? The key is in negotiating directly, using the right tools, and asking the right questions. But even then, are you really getting what you paid for? Before you book, arm yourself with these insights and strategies to avoid the biggest vacation rental gotchas.

New strategies for avoiding vacation rental “gotchas”

November 25, 2024October 6, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you’re looking for a vacation rental this holiday season, you already know about the biggest gotcha: the high price.

Categories On Travel
Flooded bathroom.

She left her “unsafe” Vrbo rental. Can she get her money back?

January 30, 2025January 22, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Nicole Morin wants her money back for the “unsafe” vacation rental she booked through Vrbo. And she wants me to help her get it.

Categories Advocacy
Jeff von Bargen discovered mouse droppings in his vacation rental in San Luis Obispo, California and left the home after a sleepless night. The owner offered to refund part of von Bargen's rental fee in exchange for a five-star review, but von Bargen refused and contacted Vrbo, the vacation rental platform he used to book the property.

Mice in my vacation rental! But why can’t I get a refund?

September 20, 2024February 20, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

What are the policies of the major vacation rental platforms when it comes to mouse infestations? And what should you do if you find a mouse in your vacation rental?

Categories Advocacy

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!