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.
Loyalty programs offer a powerful incentive to travel, and to travel more. Since the first frequent flier programs appeared in the early 1980s, frequent flier and frequent stayer incentives have mushroomed to proportions no one could have predicted. Today, it's possible to collect miles without darkening the door of an aircraft, or points without checking into a hotel. You can earn them from buying groceries or subscribing to Netflix.

The ultimate guide to travel loyalty programs in 2025

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Loyalty programs offer a powerful incentive to travel, and to travel more. Since the first frequent flier programs appeared in the early 1980s, frequent flier and frequent stayer incentives have mushroomed to proportions no one could have predicted. Today, it’s possible to collect miles without darkening the door of an aircraft, or points without checking into a hotel. You can earn them from buying groceries or subscribing to Netflix.

If someone invites you to join a travel club, don't walk away -- run! But if you're reading this, you probably didn't. You fell for the offer of a free cruise or vacation. You attended the presentation, with its laughable, high-pressure sales tactics. And you ended up with a worthless travel club membership. Now you're trying to figure out a way to leave your travel club.

The ultimate guide to joining and leaving a travel club in 2025

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If someone invites you to join a travel club, don’t walk away — run! But if you’re reading this, you probably didn’t. You fell for the offer of a free cruise or vacation. You attended the presentation, with its laughable, high-pressure sales tactics. And you ended up with a worthless travel club membership. Now you’re trying to figure out a way to leave your travel club.

When Marilyn Harrett called off her Hawaii vacation this spring, she thought she could easily get a refund for her canceled vacation rental. She was wrong.

How can I get a refund for a canceled vacation rental?

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When Marilyn Harrett called off her Hawaii vacation this spring, she thought she could get a refund for a canceled vacation rental. After all, her state was locked down and so was the Aloha State. There was no way she’d be able to make it to her rental in Maui.

Oh, and one more thing: She had an email from the vacation rental company promising her a refund. Slam dunk, right?

Wrong.