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.

Leslie Luke's quest for a refund on her undelivered dress order highlights challenges in credit card disputes, but a consumer advocate helps resolve the issue with Citibank.

I never received my dresses. Why won’t Citibank refund my money?

June 28, 2024September 27, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Leslie Luke orders dresses from an online store, but he never receives them. Why won’t his credit card help him get a refund?

The vacation rental Carol Wilson books for her group through Vacasa is infested with rats and insects. Vacasa offers to refund one night. Can they get all of their money back?

This Vacasa rental is a dump. Can I get my money back?

October 27, 2023September 25, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

The vacation rental Carol Wilson books for her group through Vacasa is infested with rats and insects. Vacasa offers to refund one night. Can they get all of their money back?

There's been a lot of talk about banning kids from planes lately. Maybe it's an idea worth considering. Here's why.

Is it time to ban kids from flying?

April 29, 2024September 23, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

There’s been a lot of talk about banning kids from planes lately. Maybe it’s an idea worth considering. Here’s why.

How do you solve a problem with a cruise? Here's one Holland America passenger who had raw sewage in his cabin. And this is how he fixed it.

“A cruise from hell”: Raw sewage in my cabin on Holland America!

August 2, 2024September 22, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

How do you solve a problem with a cruise? Here’s one Holland America passenger who had raw sewage in his cabin. And this is how he fixed it.

Joe King struggles with Samsung to refund a discontinued security kit. Persistence -- and a little consumer advocacy -- lead to resolution.

Can I get my money back for this Samsung ADT starter security kit?

May 10, 2024September 20, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Samsung offers Joe King a refund for his home security starter kit, but then refuses to pay him. Can it do that?

If you've ever opened the door to your hotel room and said, "Nope -- I'm not doing that!" then you've probably wondered: When should you reject your hotel room?

Here’s when you should refuse a hotel room

May 2, 2024September 19, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

If you’ve ever opened the door to your hotel room and said, “Nope — I’m not doing that!” then you’ve probably wondered: When should you reject your hotel room?

Thomas Sennett's involuntary downgrade on American Airlines leads to a refund debacle. How was the fare difference resolved?

American Airlines downgraded us. Can I get the fare difference refunded?

January 19, 2024September 18, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

American Airlines downgrades Thomas Sennett and his family to economy class on their flights from Boston to Phoenix. Why isn’t it refunding the fare difference?

Many airlines have hidden fees. But now Congress wants to undo the full-fare advertising rule -- and that would make it even easier.

Why hidden airline fees are about to get worse

May 11, 2024September 16, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Many airlines have hidden fees. But now Congress wants to undo the full-fare advertising rule — and that would make it even easier.

Laura's wine cooler ordeal with Sollevare continues. Stuck between two giants, will justice prevail? Find out now.

Hey Lowe’s, my Sollevare wine cooler doesn’t work! Can I get a refund?

January 19, 2024September 12, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

Laura Lowry’s Sollevare wine cooler doesn’t work, and neither does the replacement. Who does she talk to about a refund?

When Michael Kivel had to cancel his car rental reservation with Avis due to an illness, he expected a prompt refund. However, the process turned out to be more complicated than anticipated. Despite initially cancelling his reservation online and subsequently receiving an email confirmation of a $1,016 refund, the money remained elusive.

Avis promised me a refund of $1,016 — so where is it?

June 21, 2024September 11, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

What happened to Michael Kivel’s refund from Avis? The company promised him his money after he had to cancel his car rental reservation. Is the money lost?