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.

Don't let travel mishaps ruin your trip! Learn smart strategies, from tech tools to old-school methods, for handling the unexpected.

Try these new tricks for solving unexpected travel problems

August 31, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Even the most experienced traveler can run into trouble every now and then. But how do you get out of trouble?

Discover how Australia's Northern Territory balances tourism with environmental and cultural preservation in its stunning Outback. sustainability

Under a vast sky, Australia’s Northern Territory grapples with tourism sustainability

August 30, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Just after sunset on a ranch outside Alice Springs, Australia, the inky blackness of the night sky drapes across the Outback.

First-time eBay buyer gets suspended immediately after a purchase, receives wrong item, and is denied a refund.

Help! eBay suspended me after my first purchase – and kept my $438

August 29, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Ken Sours buys a watch on eBay, but the company suspends his account immediately after the purchase. Then he receives a magazine instead of the watch. Now he can’t get a refund. What should he do?

Hertz bills renter $5,873 months after a deer accident, then demands $842 more for "diminished value" without documentation.

Hertz wants another $842 after my insurance paid — is that legal?

August 27, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Victoria Muenchow hits a deer while driving a Hertz rental van, files a claim through her credit card insurance, and waits 10 months for Hertz to send a $5,873 bill. After her insurance settles the bill, Hertz demands an additional $842 for “diminished value” but can’t provide documentation. Can she fight this fee — and win?

StubHub charged a seller $747 in fees despite promising a waiver after Adele's show was postponed. See how she fought for her refund.

StubHub charged me $747 in fees after Adele postponed her concert. But it promised not to!

August 25, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Ellen Kwan-Portal just can’t let go of her Adele tickets.

Is your trip nonrefundable? Discover why airlines and hotels are tightening refund rules and the strategies you can use to potentially recover your money.

Travel is more “nonrefundable” than ever — here’s how to get around that

August 24, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Christina Anderson thought her hotel room in Reykjavik, Iceland, was refundable. But when her flight to Iceland was canceled because of bad weather, she made a stunning discovery: It wasn’t.

Worried about travel safety? See how travel insurance is evolving with new features to help you avoid trouble and stay protected on your next vacation.

New ways travel insurance can keep you safe when you’re traveling

August 23, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Travel insurance may cover you if you get into trouble on your next vacation. But what if travel insurance could help you avoid trouble?

Homeowner paid American Standard for a bathroom renovation, but the shower doors are faulty, and the company won't repair them.

My American Standard shower doesn’t work! Can you help me get it fixed?

August 22, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Doreen Waltrich pays American Standard $32,952 for a new bathroom, but now the shower doors don’t work. Why won’t the company fix it?

Frontier Airlines charged a passenger twice for the same checked bags and then refused a cash refund, offering only expiring credit.

Frontier Airlines overcharged me $220 for luggage! Can you help me get it back?

August 20, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Allison Sanders prepays for her checked luggage on a Frontier Airlines flight from Denver to Orlando. But the airline charges her for her bags twice. Now it won’t refund her for the second charge. Can she get her second charge back?

Couple's honeymoon turns sour after being pressured into a $10,699 Palladium membership that wasn't as promised. Can they get their money back?

Tricked into a Palladium membership: My honeymoon nightmare

August 18, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Angela Reiffer and her husband thought they were getting a free couples massage after they checked into a Palladium resort in the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon.