If something goes wrong when you’re traveling — a lost confirmation number, a mixed-up reservation, a bad hotel experience — it can easily seem like the cards are stacked against you. But there’s one travel journalist who has dedicated his career to helping people get the service they deserve when away from home: Christopher Elliott.

Elliot has been called one of the world’s leading travel experts. He is National Geographic Traveler magazine’s reader advocate, and writes the syndicated Travel Troubleshooter column, which appears in more than 50 U.S. newspapers and Web sites.

He also produces a popular weekly commentary and podcast on MSNBC.com and writes the Navigator column in Sunday’s Washington Post.

I had the chance to talk to the guru himself, and get the scoop on getting what you deserve. Elliott graciously gave us some of his time to talk about himself, his career, and a traveler’s best friend: common sense. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the latest Friendly Planet Travel podcast with Chris Elliott.