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.

When traveling, the last thing anyone wants is to face the hassle of lost luggage. This comprehensive guide offers vital information on what to do if your luggage goes missing during air travel, cruises, train journeys, or hotel stays. From understanding the rules of lost luggage claims to tips on preventing your bags from getting lost, this article is an essential resource for travelers. It covers everything from filing claims to avoiding luggage fees, ensuring your travel remains stress-free.

The ultimate guide to finding your lost luggage

September 23, 2024February 13, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you’re reading this because your luggage has gone missing, you’re not alone.

When faced with a hotel room downgrade, it's crucial to document everything and communicate your concerns to the hotel immediately. If unresolved, escalate the issue by writing to customer service or the hotel's higher management. For unresolved cases, consider contacting consumer protection authorities. Booking platforms often lack rigorous quality control, leading to discrepancies in room descriptions. Advocacy and persistence can help secure fair compensation or refunds, emphasizing the importance of knowing your rights and the hotel's obligations for a satisfactory resolution.

Chased out of his hotel for complaining about a small room. Is this enough compensation?

November 18, 2024February 12, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Jimmy Lim thought he’d booked a suite for his family in Hong Kong through Booking.com. He ended up getting chased out of the hotel after complaining about the size of his rooms. Now he wants a refund — and, of course, he isn’t getting it.

Look out! This Booking.com scam is coming for you

February 14, 2024February 10, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Travelers face a new wave of hacking threats,. This Booking.com scam is just one of them. Here’s how to protect yourself.

The touchscreen on Satoaki Omori's new HP Envy laptop doesn't work, and the computer has been discontinued. Can he get a full refund -- or a replacement?

Help! My HP Envy doesn’t work. Can I get a replacement or a refund?

November 8, 2024February 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The touchscreen on Satoaki Omori’s new HP Envy laptop doesn’t work, and the computer has been discontinued. Can he get a full refund — or a replacement?

When Nancy Epstein rented a BMW through Turo in San Diego, she paid for basic insurance coverage. After returning the car, she received a $3,000 bill from the owner claiming damage to the interior panels. Epstein was suspicious since the amount matched her deductible and the photos were inconclusive. She turned to consumer advocate Christopher Elliott for help. He reviewed the details and thought there were too many unanswered questions, so he contacted Turo. After further investigation, Turo informed Epstein that she would not be held responsible for the damages.

A $3,000 bill for minor scuffs on my car? Is this Turo bill a scam or what?

September 16, 2024February 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Nancy Epstein gets a repair bill for $3,000 after renting a Turo. But what’s it for? And does she have to pay?

Justin Brog was abruptly banned from Airbnb and all his upcoming reservations canceled, accused of falsifying his Airbnb account identity, though he claimed innocence. His appeals were quickly denied. It turned out someone had created a fake Airbnb account impersonating Brog, likely triggering Airbnb’s automated security systems to deactivate his real account. After contact from our advocacy team questioning the ban, Airbnb reinstated Brog upon realizing their mistake. But with largely automated customer service, could false bans of Airbnb accounts happen more easily? The system seems prone to abuse or error without sufficient human oversight.

The secret of disabled Airbnb accounts: Is it sabotage?

May 20, 2024February 5, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Why is Justin Brog banned from Airbnb? He’s been a model guest and receives excellent reviews from Airbnb hosts, so there’s no reason Airbnb would disable his account.

These hotel parking fees are outrageous.

Outrageous! Hotels are charging for parking — whether you have a car or not

February 12, 2024February 3, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Hotels have finally gone too far when it comes to parking fees.

Roy Gregston's Hoover Steam Mop, purchased from Amazon with an extended warranty, breaks down months later. Navigating a maze of customer service from Asurion, Hoover, and Amazon, he faces a restocking fee and limited support. Despite policies and warranties, he's left with a defective product and mounting frustration. Will his persistence pay off, or is he stuck with a costly, unusable mop and half his money gone?

My steam mop broke! Amazon won’t clean up this mess — and now there’s a restocking fee

March 29, 2024February 2, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Roy Gregston’s Hoover Complete Steam Mop breaks down only a few months after he buys it from Amazon. Even though he has a three-year extended warranty, no one will cover it. And then there’s a restocking fee, too. What’s going on?

Beth Bonness faced a dilemma when Dollar couldn't provide a pre-paid rental car, resulting in an $82 charge. Despite attempts to resolve the issue, only a partial credit was offered. Christopher Elliott's advocacy might be her last hope for a full refund. Will Dollar relent and refund Beth?

Dollar didn’t have my rental car — but it still charged me $82!

May 27, 2024January 31, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Dollar doesn’t have the rental car Beth Bonness reserved in Atlanta, but that’s not stopping it from charging her $82. Can it do that? And how does she get a refund?

Caught in a financial tug-of-war, Alejandro Soler faced a daunting challenge retrieving his $286 refund from PayPal and Chase. His money, seemingly lost in a maze of corporate bureaucracy, became a symbol of the struggle consumers face when large corporations mishandle transactions. This narrative underscores the complexities and frustrations in recovering misplaced funds.

PayPal and Chase missing refund problem: “My money is nowhere to be found”

January 31, 2024January 29, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you’ve ever had to go toe to toe with a big company over a missing refund, then you’ll relate to Alejandro Soler’s recent problem with PayPal and Chase.