MICHELLE COUCH-FRIEDMAN - Page 26 of 26

Why does this Airbnb host have so many problems with his shared space rental in London?

I didn’t want a shared space Airbnb rental! How did I get one?

August 21, 2024July 15, 2022 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

It’s easy to find a shared space Airbnb rental if that’s what you’re looking for. Each one is clearly labeled and it’s difficult to book a shared space property by mistake. So that’s what makes Maxim Belyayev’s recent Airbnb experience so unusual.

He used the listing giant to book a private condo in London for his upcoming vacation. But when the Airbnb host sent the house rules, it sounded more like a youth hostel than a $3,668 luxury apartment. A follow-up message made it clear that Maxim would be sharing the common space in the Airbnb rental with strangers.

Maxim immediately canceled the unwanted shared space rental, and the Airbnb host just as quickly rejected his refund request.

Now Maxim hopes that we can get his money back. He believes this Airbnb host is a scammer. And if you’re a regular reader of my column, I suspect you’ll soon agree with him.

How to avoid a pet scam? Don't use Zelle to pay for a nonexistent puppy.

A Zelle pet scam cost this victim $4,000. Could you fall for it?

August 19, 2024July 10, 2022 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

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.

$4,000 later, and with no dog to show for it, she’s asking if our advocacy team can help her.

But how?

This is what American Airlines owes you if it cancels your flight.

What does American Airlines really owe you if it cancels your flight?

April 27, 2025July 7, 2022 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

If American Airlines delays or cancels your flight home from vacation, what does it really owe you?

That’s what Mikayla Shade wants to know after finding herself in this unfortunate situation. She says an American Airlines agent told her that when the airline cancels a flight, the passenger will receive a full refund. Mikayla used that guidance to determine her budget for a new flight home. It wasn’t until American Airlines processed her “full refund” that she discovered she’d relied on incorrect guidance from the agent.

Now Mikayla wants our team to ask American Airlines to provide what its representative promised her.

MSC Divina left several passengers behind in Cozumel. Can they get a refund?

My MSC cruise ship left me behind in Mexico! Will I get a refund?

December 31, 2023July 6, 2022 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

During her recent cruise, Natalie Durflinger got a terrible shock when the ship left her behind in Mexico. She says the MSC Divina weighed anchor nearly 5 hours ahead of schedule, stranding her in only a bathing suit and flip-flops. Now she’s asking the cruise line to explain how this happened and to refund the vacation she missed when the ship sailed away without her.

But did MSC allow its cruise ship to sail away without warning leaving its passengers abandoned in a foreign country? That’s the question of the day.

Did Royal Caribbean really let this passenger's enemy cancel her cruise?

Could Royal Caribbean really let your enemy cancel your cruise?

April 24, 2025July 6, 2022 by Michelle Couch-Friedman

What if you had a newly minted enemy and Royal Caribbean allowed that person to cancel your cruise?

That’s what Rita Yates believes happened to her recently. When she called to make the final payment on her upcoming sailing, an RCCL agent explained that the cruise Rita intended to take to celebrate her 40th anniversary no longer existed. Assuming that the cancellation was another casualty of the pandemic, Rita asked why the cruise line hadn’t informed her sooner.

That’s when Royal Caribbean gave Rita an even bigger surprise: Explorer of the Seas would be sailing as scheduled. In fact, the RCCL representative explained, records showed Yates had canceled her own cruise – and forfeited her deposit.
Rita says she absolutely did not cancel her cruise, but she believes she knows the troublemaker who did. Now, with Royal Caribbean unwilling to refund her deposit or reinstate the voyage, she’s asking for help.

But with police reports, lawsuits, and other threats being tossed about, that might be a lofty request for a consumer advocate.

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