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 Iberia Airlines canceled Olga Betzler's flight from Barcelona to Los Angeles, she assumed getting her $654 refund would be straightforward

When an airline refuses to refund you $654, this could be the reason

November 24, 2025November 24, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

When Iberia Airlines canceled Olga Betzler’s flight from Barcelona to Los Angeles, she assumed getting her $654 refund would be straightforward.

After spending 350 days a year on the road with a rotating cast of carry-ons, I've discovered that the smallest component of your luggage can decide the entire fate of your trip. Fortunately, the luggage industry is getting serious about wheels.

A wheel good investment: Here’s the luggage that survived 350 days on the road

November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Some travel disasters start small. It’s a wobbly wheel you hardly notice until you’re double-timing it through the terminal and your carry-on suddenly feels like you’re dragging an anchor.

UNESCO-protected Luang Prabang is one of Southeast Asia’s most picturesque cities—but its rising tourism comes with environmental costs. From a plastic-free hotel to methane-reducing buffalo blocks, local innovators are pushing for a model of sustainability that preserves culture and empowers the community. Can these efforts shape a more responsible future for Laos?

Can a green hotel (and a side of buffalo milk) save Luang Prabang?

November 22, 2025November 22, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

A visit to Luang Prabang in Laos feels like stepping back in time. French colonial buildings line streets next to the slow-moving Mekong River. Buddhist monks in their saffron robes collect alms at dawn. The famous night market, with its street food vendors, beckons you with traditional Lao dishes like Khao Niaw, a sticky rice, or steamed fish.

Amber Lise is trapped in an eight-week ordeal with Best Buy over a malfunctioning microwave oven. Best Buy repeatedly denies her exchange request. Is there a way to change its answer?

Best Buy refused to replace a broken appliance — until this happened

November 21, 2025November 21, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Amber Lise is trapped in an eight-week ordeal with Best Buy over a malfunctioning microwave oven. Best Buy repeatedly denies her exchange request. Is there a way to change its answer?

After Aer Lingus canceled James Jones's $5,246 flight, it only refunded $4,502. The airline ignored his repeated emails about the $744 shortage, violating EU law. After an advocate intervened, Aer Lingus finally paid the missing money.

Aer Lingus withholds a full refund after a flight cancellation. What should I do?

December 2, 2025November 19, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

After Aer Lingus cancels James Jones’ flight from Paris to Philadelphia, he requests a full refund. The airline shorts him by $744 and then it stops responding to his emails. What can he do to get the money back?

After a stay at Holiday Inn Express, Millie Crawford was surprised to find a $59 charge for a damaged lamp she says she never touched. With conflicting stories from hotel staff and no clear evidence, she escalated the dispute, filed a chargeback—and won. Here’s how travelers can fight back against bogus hotel damage fees.

Holiday Inn surprise charge: a $59 bill for a lamp I didn’t damage!

November 24, 2025November 17, 2025 by Christopher Elliott

Millie Crawford didn’t think much about the lamp in her Holiday Inn Express room. Not until a $59 charge appeared on her credit card days after she checked out.