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.

Vacation rental homes are being sold out from under travelers. Here's how to avoid the problem -- and how to deal with a cancellation.

What happens when someone sells your vacation rental?

November 20, 2024April 21, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Vacation rental homes are being sold out from under travelers. Here’s how to avoid the problem — and how to deal with a cancellation.

After Isabel Barne returns two items to Amazon, the online retailer sends her a refund -- and then charges her for one of the items again. Can she get this fixed?

Amazon return problem: Why am I being charged again for this scuba equipment?

April 29, 2024April 19, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After Isabel Barne returns two items to Amazon, the online retailer sends her a refund — and then charges her for one of the items again. Can she get this fixed?

Why did Valeska Wehr pay twice for her stay at a Marriott property in Boston? And why won't Booking.com, the site through which she made the reservation, help her?

I paid twice for my hotel on Booking.com. Can I get a refund?

June 20, 2024April 17, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Why did Valeska Wehr pay twice for her stay at a Marriott property in Boston? And why won’t Booking.com, the site through which she made the reservation, help her?

Dianne Ness and her husband were stunned when Delta Air Lines rescheduled their upcoming flight from Boston to Phoenix by 9 ½ hours.

Delta Air Lines rescheduled my flight by 9 1/2 hours. Do I have to accept this ticket?

September 13, 2024April 15, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Dianne Ness and her husband were stunned when Delta Air Lines rescheduled their upcoming flight from Boston to Phoenix by 9 ½ hours.

No, it's not too soon to start thinking of your summer 2024 vacation -- and the smart travel strategies that will get you there without losing all your money (or your mind).

Summer 2024: Travel smarter with these clever vacation strategies!

September 4, 2024April 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

No, it’s not too soon to start thinking of your summer 2024 vacation — and the smart travel strategies that will get you there without losing all your money (or your mind).

The engine in Ali Cotton's Nissan Altima is damaged after he brings it to Jiffy Lube for an inspection. Does the company have to pay his $12,998 repair bill?

Jiffy Lube ruined my car engine. Why won’t it pay $12,998 for repairs?

September 10, 2024April 12, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The engine in Ali Cotton’s Nissan Altima is damaged after he brings it to Jiffy Lube for an inspection. Does the company have to pay his $12,998 repair bill?

When Diane Gottlieb's tour of Iraq is canceled, the tour operator offers her a voucher for a future trip. She wants a refund. Can she get her $7,590 back?

My trip to Iraq was canceled. Why can’t I get a $7,590 refund for my canceled tour?

June 20, 2024April 10, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When Diane Gottlieb’s tour of Iraq is canceled, the tour operator offers her a voucher for a future trip. She wants a refund for her canceled tour. Can she get her $7,590 back?

Avis billed one of its customers $573 for damaging a windshield. But there was no damage to the windshield. What should he do?

Windshield damage on my Avis rental! Do I have to pay $573?

April 9, 2024April 8, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Avis billed one of its customers $573 for damaging a windshield. But there was no damage to the windshield. What should he do?

has the potential to change the way we travel like we haven't seen since the introduction of the jet engine.

Will flying cars change the way you travel?

September 4, 2024April 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Flying cars have the potential to change the way you travel. Don’t laugh. It’s already happening.

After the price of Francis Clark's Bosch dishwasher falls, Best Buy agrees to refund him $150. But now it won't pay. What's going on?

Best Buy promised me a $150 refund for my Bosch dishwasher. Now it won’t pay!

July 8, 2024April 5, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

After the price of Francis Clark’s Bosch dishwasher falls, Best Buy agrees to refund him $150. But now it won’t pay. What’s going on?