Christopher Elliott

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter. He is based in Panamá City.

Meryl Lee Seewald thought she was booking just one night at the Holiday Inn Miami International Airport. Instead, she booked eight.

Case dismissed: Oops, I booked eight nights instead of one

January 20, 2024August 4, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

Meryl Lee Seewald thought she was booking just one night at the Holiday Inn Miami International Airport. Instead, she booked eight.

It's been a while since we've had a chipped-windshield story. She recently rented a Toyota Corolla through Payless Car Rental

A chipped windshield — and a surprise bill

January 20, 2024August 1, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

It’s been a while since we’ve had a chipped-windshield story. This one comes to us by way of Kenneth Ross, whose wife recently rented a Toyota Corolla through Payless Car Rental in Toronto via Expedia.

So let's hear from Ben Barnhart, who just returned from his post-nuptual vacation at the Riu Guanacaste in Costa Rica.

Is this enough compensation? A voucher for a “completely forgettable” honeymoon

January 20, 2024July 25, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

We’ve had plenty of “honeymoon from hell” stories on this site, and they never get old. So let’s hear from Ben Barnhart, who just returned from his post-nuptial vacation at the Riu Guanacaste in Costa Rica.

The airline passenger who allegedly grabbed the breast of a TSA employee after refusing to be screened last week, got me thinking.

TSA Watch: Vote for your favorite TSA hero — or villain

January 20, 2024July 23, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

The strange case of Yukari Miyamae, the airline passenger who allegedly grabbed the breast of a TSA employee after refusing to be screened last week, got me thinking. Every few months, someone seems to capture the traveling public’s attention with an action that exposes the absurdity and indignity of being frisked at the airport.

I asked to speak with the assistant manager's boss and he informed me that it was simply a formality and that the light scratch could potentially be buffed out. He also mentioned that he would call me if a claim were necessary. I never got that call. They did, in fact, complete a damage report and like an idiot, I signed it. The report simply states the damaged part of the vehicle as a long scratch and that I was not aware of its source. A few weeks later, I received a letter in the mail from Enterprise requesting that we contact our insurance company to inform them of our claim or to contact them so that they may communicate the estimate for the damages to the minivan. I believe the damage that was observed when I returned the vehicle was already there before I rented it. But I signed the damage report. Will it be hard to prove my side of the story with this error on my part?

The Travel Troubleshooter: I signed the damage form — now they want me to pay

January 20, 2024July 22, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

When Leigh Barber returns his rental van to Enterprise, he discovers a small scratch that was overlooked when he picked up the vehicle. He signs a form acknowledging the damage, but with the assurance from a manager that thee scratch can be “buffed out.” Now Enterprise wants him to pay. Does he have to?

Here's a relatively common problem with a so-called "opaque" booking site -- with a relatively common resolution.

Case dismissed: A suburban spat over a Hotwire hotel room

January 20, 2024July 21, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

Here’s a relatively common problem with a so-called “opaque” booking site — with a relatively common resolution.

Like many travelers, long-term parking used to always be pretty straightforward: the rate he was quoted was the rate he paid.

Ridiculous or not? Airport parking fees start to multiply

February 3, 2024July 20, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

Like many travelers, Hal Frost is accustomed to being hit with fees everywhere he goes, from the airport check-in counter to the hotel front desk. But long-term parking used to always be pretty straightforward: the rate he was quoted was the rate he paid.

One thing travelers love about an airline like Southwest is that it goes against the grain. When airlines charge baggage fees, it doesn't.

Can this trip be saved? I paid for the ticket — where’s my credit?

January 20, 2024July 18, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

One of the things travelers love about an airline like Southwest is that it goes against the grain. When other airlines charge baggage fees, it doesn’t. When they impose change fees, it doesn’t. When they have assigned seats, Southwest refuses.

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.

JetBlue flight 686 from Washington to Boston was delayed by a few hours on April 13, which wasn't a big deal to most of the passengers.

Is this enough compensation? Bumped from a flight and we missed our connection

January 20, 2024July 12, 2011 by Christopher Elliott

JetBlue flight 686 from Washington to Boston was delayed by a few hours on April 13, which wasn’t a big deal to most of the passengers. Except to Lonn Waters and his girlfriend, who planned to catch an Icelandair flight to Keflavik, Iceland, later that evening.

Christopher Elliott

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