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Skip to content Elliott Advocacy Here to help GO Donate Expand Menu Home About Us Ultimate Guides Categories Coronavirus Airlines Answers Cruises Problem Solved Travel Commentary Company Contacts Get Help Forum PLEASE SUPPORT THIS SITE If you’ve benefitted from the advice, advocacy, or executive contacts on this site, please consider supporting us. You can become an underwriter today and/or volunteer to join our cause . Donate Answers to your questions View All How to get a surprise hotel smoking fee reversed? Like this Getting a hotel smoking fee reversed isn't easy -- even if you're a non-smoker like Kelsey Russell. Or a determined… United Airlines flight credit: How to make the most of it after the pandemic The clock is ticking on Bernadine Fong’s sizable United Airlines flight credit, which she acquired during the pandemic. Around this… Coronavirus fears: What you need to know about canceling your vacation Have Coronavirus fears caused you to consider canceling your upcoming vacation? If so, you aren't alone. In recent weeks, pleas… Credit card disputes: How to use them in the right way During the pandemic, many frustrated travelers have filed credit card disputes, hoping to fast-track refunds. Petra Murdrock was one of… Here are the answers to the top coronavirus travel questions Do you need a comprehensive guide to help you handle all of your coronavirus travel questions? No worries, the Elliott… How to rent a vacation home: the ultimate guide Renting a home or apartment for your next trip has a lot of benefits. You get your own place with… This is how to find the best travel insurance for your next trip If you’re not thinking about buying travel insurance for your next trip, you probably should. In a world filled with… How to rent a car: the ultimate guide Renting a car can be complicated. From fees to fuel purchase options, the process is enough to confuse even the… You can get banned from Facebook — permanently. This is how Jason Birch just found himself banned from Facebook -- forever. The social media giant won't tell him why, but Birch… This is how to deal with the Transportation Security Administration For many air travelers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening is the most dreaded part of the journey. It’s not… The ultimate guide for booking and taking a tour If you’re thinking of visiting a faraway place, a tour may be an ideal choice. But don’t go anywhere without… How long do I need to wait for my refund from Booking com? By Christopher Elliott | May 17, 2021 May 17, 2021 After checking out of a vacation rental paid through Booking com, Emily Radocha expected a refund of her security deposit within 30 days. But the company never sent the $250. Can Booking com just keep her money? Read more “How long do I need to wait for my refund from Booking com?” This is how a cash app mistake could easily turn deadly! By Michelle Couch-Friedman | May 14, 2021 May 14, 2021 Could a cash app mistake eventually escalate to violence? Based on some of the emotionally charged pleas for help our team has received lately, it seems possible. And after you hear the details of Brian Yu’s recent money transfer fiasco, I think you’ll agree. Read more “This is how a cash app mistake could easily turn deadly!” Is this the worst Airbnb experience ever?! By Michelle Couch-Friedman | May 13, 2021 May 13, 2021 Lee Smith believes she just had the worst Airbnb experience ever. And after you hear — and see — what she (and her cat) endured during the past month, I think you might agree. Her tale is a harsh reminder of the risky nature of shared-space rentals. Smith assumed the Airbnb host had properly vetted the man with whom she would be sharing an apartment. Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to be the case. (Reprint) Read more “Is this the worst Airbnb experience ever?!” Will you need travel insurance after the pandemic? By Christopher Elliott | May 12, 2021 May 12, 2021 Bob Hood is planning a trip to New Zealand next year, hopefully long after the pandemic. But like many travelers, he’s confused about travel insurance. Specifically, he’s wondering if he’ll need travel insurance after the pandemic. Read more “Will you need travel insurance after the pandemic?” The pandemic canceled my yoga retreat! Why can’t I get a refund? By Christopher Elliott | May 10, 2021 May 7, 2021 Because of the pandemic, Erin Parisi’s tour operator canceled her yoga retreat last year. Does she have to accept the rescheduled trip? And if she doesn’t, will she lose most of her money? Read more “The pandemic canceled my yoga retreat! Why can’t I get a refund?” A pet scam cost this victim $4,000. Could you fall for it? By Michelle Couch-Friedman | May 7, 2021 May 7, 2021 Maria Witbrod wanted to add a new puppy to her family during the pandemic. But instead, a well-organized criminal operation led her into a costly and increasingly common pet scam. Now $4,000 later and with no dog to show for it, she’s asking if the Elliott Advocacy team can help her. But how? That’s the $4,000 question for today. Read more “A pet scam cost this victim $4,000. Could you fall for it?” If a worried host asks you to pretend not to be a guest, it’s time to go By Michelle Couch-Friedman | May 5, 2021 May 5, 2021 If your vacation rental host asks you to pretend not to be a guest during your stay, would you? That’s the odd situation that confronted Josephine Avina last July when her family planned a short trip during the pandemic. But pretending not to be guests wasn’t the only thing the host wanted the Avinas to do. She also expected them to be OK with living in the remnants of a bachelorette party held the night before. As you’ve probably already guessed, the Avinas with their two small children in tow weren’t OK with any of it. They promptly asked for a refund and took off for a hotel. And although the owner agreed to return their rental payment, it’s eight months later and the Avinas are still waiting. Now, after a failed credit card dispute over the missing refund, the Elliott Advocacy team is the family’s last hope. (Reprint) Read more “If a worried host asks you to pretend not to be a guest, it’s time to go” If the host promised me a refund why did Airbnb refuse? By Christopher Elliott | May 3, 2021 May 3, 2021 The host of Carl Baeuerlen’s planned Airbnb vacation rental offered him a refund last May because of the pandemic. But Airbnb says he can’t get his money back. What’s going on here? Read more “If the host promised me a refund why did Airbnb refuse?” How did I lose the credit card dispute over this online shopping scam? By Michelle Couch-Friedman | April 30, 2021 May 2, 2021 | Updated May 2nd, 2021 Before you do any more online shopping, you’ll want to read about the scam that just ensnared Susan Leipholtz. She paid an online “merchant” $129 through PayPal and received absolutely nothing in return. But getting blindsided by the internet thief wasn’t nearly as shocking as what happened next. That’s when Capital One sided with the scammer in her credit card dispute. Now a shell-shocked Leipholtz is asking us to retrieve the money stolen from her in this online shopping scam. But can we do it? Read more “How did I lose the credit card dispute over this online shopping scam?” I wasted $2,000 on a vacation rental that does not exist! By Michelle Couch-Friedman | April 29, 2021 April 29, 2021 Paul Trosclair says he just spent nearly two grand on a vacation rental that does not exist. To make matters worse, Vrbo sided with the person he believes is a thief disguised as a host. Now Trosclair hopes the Elliott Advocacy team can prove this vacation rental is nonexistent and get his money back. But can we do it? (Reprint) Read more “I wasted $2,000 on a vacation rental that does not exist!” Posts navigation Older posts WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM? Elliott Advocacy is a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. If you need help with any problem, please contact us throug...