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.

The Transportation Security Administration TSA likes to keep terrorists guessing. Apparently, it likes to keep travelers guessing, too.

With TSA air security, travelers are flying blind

January 19, 2024November 29, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

The Transportation Security Administration likes to keep terrorists guessing. Apparently, it likes to keep travelers guessing, too.

Jessica Siegel brought her sedan back to Avis in London recently. A few weeks later, she got a bill for triple the amount she'd expected.

A smashed window on my rental car — and a surprise bill

January 19, 2024November 27, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

James Thomson and a longtime friend, who is suffering from terminal cancer, ran into trouble with their flights.

Thank you! United fixes “last vacation” for terminal cancer patient

January 19, 2024November 26, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

Here’s a heart-warming story for the Thanksgiving holiday: James Thomson and a longtime friend, who is suffering from terminal cancer, ran into trouble with their flights from San Francisco to Bali. One leg of Thompson’s flight was canceled, which threatened to end his friend’s final vacation.

Air carriers serve meals, and where there's food, there can't be a restaurant critic too far behind. Just in time for the holiday season

Southwest Airlines strikes out in airline food survey; Continental tops the list

January 19, 2024November 25, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

Airline food. No, that’s not the punchline to a joke.

Hawaiiana hotel forecloses, taking guest’s $2,541 deposit with it

January 19, 2024November 24, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

The foreclosure crisis isn’t just affecting homeowners. It’s also hitting hotel guests.

It’s holiday travel time! You heard it here first!

November 27, 2024November 23, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

Take your car in for a tuneup. Give yourself extra time if you’re flying. Oh, and it’s going to be one for the record books.

They were not tears of joy at having found a bargain. Something was wrong with cheapoair reservation, and she had to pay for another flight.

“CheapoAir bargain made my mother cry”

January 19, 2024November 20, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

And they were not tears of joy at having found a bargain. Elizabeth Hutton’s mother, Mary Ellyn, bought a round trip ticket from Cincinnati to Tallinn, Estonia, with stopovers in Newark and Stockholm. But something was wrong with the reservation, and she had to pay for another flight.

Sorry, wrong address: Enterprise turns down Expedia customer at the counter. instances in which a company might refuse you a car.

Sorry, wrong address: Enterprise car rental turns down Expedia customer at the counter

November 24, 2024November 16, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

Regular readers of this site are familiar with car rental companies’ no-rent lists. But did you know that there are other instances in which a company might refuse you a car — even if you have a completely legitimate reservation?

Next time you book a hotel room online, consider what happens to the taxes you've paid. Guests will still pay the bill.

Whoever wins in tax war, guests will still pay the bill

January 19, 2024November 15, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

Next time you book a hotel room online, consider what happens to the taxes you’ve paid.

When Continental Airlines inadvertently billed Greg Sykes for his child's car seat, he expected a quick refund.

Help! My airline charged me for a car seat — and it’s keeping the money

January 25, 2024November 11, 2009 by Christopher Elliott

There are certain items for which domestic airlines will probably never charge, like strollers and child safety seats. Cashing in on babies is just seen as tacky by most airline passengers. So when Continental Airlines inadvertently charged Greg Sykes for his child’s car seat, he expected a quick refund.

Christopher Elliott

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