CUSTOMER SUPPORT Archives

Want to skip the bot and talk to a human? It could cost you

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026 by Christopher Elliott

The problem with artificial intelligence is simple: When travelers need it the most, it is the least helpful.

Saks Fifth Avenue refuses to accept a $10,854 gold ring as a return. The reason: The company says it's damaged. Is Thomas Gunderson stuck with this purchase?

Saks Fifth Avenue return problem: Why won’t they accept this $10,854 gold ring?

October 26, 2024October 25, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Saks Fifth Avenue refuses to accept a $10,854 gold ring as a return. The reason: The company says it’s damaged. Is Thomas Gunderson stuck with this purchase?

Dalia Hamzeh’s weekend at the Miraval Berkshires turned sour after the resort overcharged her by $2,500 for two extra nights she didn’t book. Despite early promises of a refund, the hotel’s billing department went silent, leaving Hamzeh frustrated and out of options. After months of back-and-forth with no resolution, she reached out for help. Following an intervention, Miraval’s general manager finally responded, explaining the rate discrepancy and offering a refund or a complimentary return stay. Hamzeh chose to enjoy another visit to the resort, this time on the house.

Help! My all-inclusive hotel charged me for two extra nights

October 26, 2024October 23, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

The Miraval Berkshires, an all-inclusive resort in Lenox, Mass., overcharges Dalia Hamzeh by $2,500. Now, it is refusing to answer her emails. How can she get her money back?

Traveling recently? You're not alone if you've encountered laughably bad customer service. I lost my credit card last week, and my bank botched the replacement, sending it to the wrong address. Now, I'm stuck on endless calls with unhelpful representatives. The travel industry isn't faring any better, with record complaints and declining service quality. Airlines, car rentals, and hotels are scoring low in customer satisfaction. As travel booms, companies are taking customers for granted. Learn why this is happening and what you can do to manage the situation effectively.

Want better customer service when you travel? You must be joking

January 13, 2025August 18, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

If you think customer service is a joke, you’ve probably been traveling recently.

Deirdre Stewart ordered six bras online and paid with PayPal, but received only two bras in the wrong size and a hideous shower curtain. Despite providing all required documentation, she has been waiting six weeks for a refund through PayPal’s Purchase Protection plan. After numerous frustrating interactions with PayPal’s customer service, including a disturbing call with a supposed supervisor, Deirdre reached out for help. With assistance, PayPal finally resolved her case, refunding her purchase. This bizarre experience highlights potential flaws in PayPal’s protection plan and the importance of documented communication.

I ordered bras, but they sent me a hideous shower curtain

August 20, 2024August 16, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Deirdre Stewart orders six bras online but receives only two — plus a “hideous” shower curtain. Will PayPal’s protection plan help her?

Carolyn Allen's home in Saint Cloud, Fla., faced unexpected issues when the seals on her hurricane-resistant window blinds started melting and the door handles began to corrode. Despite multiple calls and emails to FAS Windows & Doors, only some handles were replaced, leaving the rest back-ordered for over a year. Carolyn's polite persistence yielded no response until she sought help from a consumer advocacy team. With their intervention, FAS Windows & Doors finally replaced the remaining door handles, highlighting the importance of persistence and the challenges of dealing with warranty issues and unique hardware replacements.

Help! The seals on my window blinds are melting

August 31, 2024August 9, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Carolyn Allen’s window seals are melting. And now her door handles are corroded too. Can she get them replaced? And if so, how long should it take?

Rocco De Mella's recent journey with ITA Airways from Miami to Rome turned into a frustrating ordeal when a plane change resulted in the loss of his $160 seat upgrade. Despite promises of a prompt refund from multiple airline representatives, six months have passed with no resolution. Rocco's attempts to contact ITA Airways through various channels yielded no results, leaving him in limbo. However, a breakthrough came when a consumer advocacy site intervened, leading to the long-awaited refund. This case highlights the challenges passengers face with airline service changes and refund processes.

Downgraded on my ITA Airways flight. Why can’t I get a refund?

April 2, 2025August 7, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

When ITA Airways changes Rocco De Mella’s plane from Miami to Rome, he loses the seat upgrade he bought. An airline representative promises him a prompt refund. But six months later, the airline still has his money.

Glen Hartness faced an unexpected challenge after mistakenly booking the wrong night at a La Quinta hotel through the Priceline app. Despite promptly notifying both Priceline and the hotel, and receiving a cancellation confirmation from the hotel's front desk, Priceline refused to issue a refund. This frustrating situation highlights the strict enforcement of nonrefundable rates, even for honest mistakes. However, after escalating the issue, Priceline eventually agreed to process the refund, though the ordeal underscored the need for improved booking safeguards.

A Priceline booking problem leads to a nonrefundable hotel room — or does it?

July 29, 2025July 17, 2024 by Christopher Elliott

Glen Hartness books the wrong night at a La Quinta hotel through the Priceline app. Why won’t Priceline refund the erroneous booking?

Here's a lost Pixel puzzle: UPS misplaced our reader's Amazon return. Can he get his $518 back from Amazon? Or will he lose his money?

Help! Amazon lost my Pixel phone and now it won’t refund me

August 26, 2024August 16, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

When Jack Price tries to return his Google Pixel 6 phone to Amazon through UPS, the phone gets lost. Will he ever get his $518 back?

Engine failure after Jiffy Lube's oil change led Ian Culhane to a complex claim battle. Thorough documentation won the day.

Why won’t Jiffy Lube pay for my engine repair? Isn’t it responsible?

April 13, 2024August 9, 2023 by Christopher Elliott

After getting an oil change at Jiffy Lube, the engine on Ian Culhane’s Subaru stops working. The likely culprit is a botched oil change, he says. Why won’t Jiffy repair his car?

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