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Tag: flights

  • The government shutdown is over, but what about Thanksgiving flights?

    The 43-day government shutdown is officially over, but several large airports will continue to reduce flights by six percent.

    On Nov. 7, the FAA ordered flights to be reduced by 10 percent. Then on Nov. 12, Congress met and voted on a Senate-passed funding package to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

    However, just because the government reopened does not necessarily guarantee immediate travel relief. And airline experts predict reduced flights will affect Thanksgiving travel plans.

    Both local North Texas airports– Dallas Love Field and DFW International Airport – were among the 40 airports that were forced to cut down service. If you are traveling for Thanksgiving, it’s important to be prepared for a rescheduled or even cancelled flight.

    Why do airports have to keep flights reduced though the government is reopened?

    The FAA flight reduction was ultimately a safety decision, said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

    “Such strong staffing levels suggest a further ramp up in-flight reductions are not necessary to keep the traveling public safe,” Duffy said in a statement.

    Air traffic controllers will receive back pay, according to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019. However, based on the last shutdown, back pay can take up to two-and-a-half months to receive.

    “Since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay, and staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing,” the National Air Traffic Controllers Association wrote in an email to the Star-Telegram this week. “This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers.”

    What will DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field be like during Thanksgiving week?

    Tiffany Funk, co-founder and president of the travel-tech company point.me, told USA Today that airports during the week of Thanksgiving will most likely be stressful. It sounds like for those who will travel, they need to determine if they have the patience to.

    “You can’t just flip a switch and reboot our national aviation infrastructure,” Funk told USA TODAY. “We have aircraft that are out of place, crews that are out of place, pilots that are out of place … When you try to restart the system like that, it’s not going to get better quickly. I would expect really bumpy operations and pretty brutal travel experiences, at least throughout the week.”

    Earlier this year, the Star-Telegram spoke to travel advisor Denise DelVecchio about holiday travel tips. Keep in mind that plane tickets the day before, of and after holidays will always be more expensive and busy. Always arrive early to the airport (two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight).

    If your flight gets canceled due to lingering effects of the shutdown, try and re-book as soon as possible, either in-person at the airport or through the airline’s app. Some airlines may waive change fees.

    Why has there been a lack of air traffic controllers since the shutdown?

    Since the government reopening doesn’t mean an immediate paycheck– or immediate backpay– it is uncertain whether air traffic controllers will all bounce back right away.

    NATCA told CNN some controllers have already taken second jobs, and those side hustles could continue until they get their missed paychecks.

    Duffy also told CNN that there has been a spike in air traffic controller retirement since the shutdown began. Before Oct. 1, an average of four controllers would retire per day. Now, there’s 20 to 25 controllers retiring per day.

    Duffy and the FAA will have to figure out how many controllers retired or resigned due to the shutdown and assess the damage from there. This means that once the government reopens, it will take some time to assess the damage done to the controller space because of the shutdown.

    Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Ella Gonzales

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Ella Gonzales is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions and write about life in North Texas. Ella mainly writes about local restaurants and where to find good deals around town.

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  • Trump Kills Plan to Compensate Travelers With Cash for Delayed Flights

    In the wake of the government shutdown that resulted in nearly one out of every 10 flights getting delayed, you’d imagine the Trump administration would do something to restore its reputation and consumer confidence in air travel ahead of the holidays. But, wild pitch here: what if they did the exact opposite? In a new filing from the Department of Transportation, the Trump administration said it would kill a Biden-era rule that would have required airlines to provide meals, hotels, and cash to passengers hit with flight delays.

    According to the document, the Trump administration has decided that it isn’t authorized under existing rules to require airlines to provide compensation to travelers, which seems like one of the few times it is concerned with what the law says. It also argued that the changes wouldn’t “yield meaningful improvements in airline flight performance.” Even if that were true, and performance didn’t improve, there would be a rubric in place to compensate people when their carrier of choice fails to get them to their destination on time. Now there is both no incentive to improve and also no mandate to compensate affected travelers.

    The Trump administration cited industry groups representing the airlines that claimed the required payments could cost carriers up to $5 billion per year. The groups also not-so-subtly suggested that cost “could potentially be passed down to American consumers in the form of higher ticket prices.”

    Instead of the required compensation established under Biden, the Trump administration is going with the old “free market” approach. “The Department concludes that it is consistent with this statute to continue to allow airlines to compete on the services and compensation that they provide to passengers rather than imposing new minimum requirements for these services and compensation through regulation, which would impose significant costs on airlines, and potentially consumers,” it wrote.

    The Biden-era rule, first proposed in 2023, would have required airlines to pay travelers between $200 and $775, depending on the length of their delay, as well as offer free meals, lodging, and rebookings when flights were disrupted for circumstances within the control of the airlines. While most carriers do offer things like free rebooking and vouchers for food or hotels during extended delays, the rules vary depending on who you’re flying with. None of the carriers, prior to the Biden proposal, offered cash compensation for the inconvenience of getting delayed.

    Had the rule gone forward, it would have standardized what people can expect from an airline during a delay. Instead, we’re back to a free-for-all. Consumers will surely take solace during their next delay that their airline won a battle in the marketplace of ideas to deny them compensation.

    AJ Dellinger

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  • Will your travel insurance cover U.S. flight chaos? – MoneySense

    Hundreds of thousands of Canadians fly to and from the U.S. each month. Those who purchased cancellation insurance before the government shutdown was announced as a travel advisory should be eligible for compensation, said Marty Firestone, president of Toronto-based insurance firm Travel Secure Inc. “After that date, any purchase of a policy will not cover anything related to the government shutdown or related air controller issues,” he said.

    That means travellers who bought a policy more recently or held off entirely may be out of luck for meal, hotel and transport coverage—though the airline would still owe them a rebooking or a refund for the cancelled trip.

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    “The key here for this specific situation is having insurance in place before the advisory went in place, because now it’s considered a ‘known event,’” said Matt Hands, vice-president of insurance at Ratehub. In the insurance world, a known event is a foreseeable one, which is thus excluded from coverage.

    Some credit cards offer travel insurance that includes flight cancellation or interruption coverage. But consumers should still review their terms and conditions to confirm what is covered, said Hands. For example, the insurance may only apply if the trip was booked using that card.

    U.S. flight controller shortage leads to Canadian cancellations

    American flight controller shortages stemming from the federal shutdown prompted U.S. regulators to order air traffic reductions starting last Friday. Since then, wintry weather across parts of the continent has exacerbated the staffing disruptions.

    Several Canadian airlines told The Canadian Press last week that passengers could be affected, particularly those with connecting flights in the United States. Even direct cross-border routes between major hubs have been hit. Air Canada informed passengers booked on a flight from New York City to Toronto on Monday that the evening trip was “cancelled because of air traffic control restrictions.”

    “Air traffic control restrictions can happen if there are too many aircraft sharing the same airspace,” read the email sent to customers and obtained by The Canadian Press.

    FAA warns flight delays could persist

    The average cancellation rate over the last few days has already exceeded the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration requirement of 4%—a figure that was set to rise to 6% Tuesday and 10% this Friday—according to Cirium.

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    The FAA warned Monday that staffing at more than a dozen towers and control centers could delay planes departing for Phoenix, San Diego, the New York area, and Houston, among other cities. The agency also expanded its flight restrictions Monday, barring business jets and many private flights from using a dozen airports already under commercial flight limits.

    The U.S. Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, but the bill still needs to clear the legislature’s lower house and final passage could be days away—with further flight disruptions possible through the rest of the month.

    “It’s going to take a good one week to 10 days, if not two weeks, which is going to lead into that Thanksgiving period when it’s their busiest day of travel,” Firestone said. “This has an effect on so many people, including Canadians who are travelling for business and can’t run the risk of getting stuck in New York for two or three days because of this shutdown. It’s a domino effect.”

    U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made clear last week that flight cuts will remain until the FAA sees staffing levels stabilize at its air traffic control facilities.

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  • US airlines again cancel more than 1,000 flights on second day of cuts tied to government shutdown

    U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights Saturday, mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic.The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports is now in its second day and so far hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Friday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.Related video above: What to do if your air travel is impacted by the government shutdownTHIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below:Hundreds of flights at the busiest airports in the U.S. are being scratched this weekend as airlines move forward with reducing air service due to the lingering government shutdown.So far, the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated slowdown across the airline industry that began Friday hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. But it has widened the impact of what’s now the nation’s longest federal shutdown.”We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying out of Miami Saturday to visit family in the Dominican Republic for the week. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and be felt far beyond air travel if the cancellations pick up and move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday.Already, there are concerns about the impact on cities and businesses that rely on tourism and the possibility of shipping interruptions that could delay getting holiday items on store shelves.Here’s what to know about the flight reductions:How many flights have been canceled?The first day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s slowdown saw more than 1,000 flights canceled, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.More than 950 were off for Saturday — typically a slow travel day. The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, was by far the hardest hit with 120 arriving and departing flights canceled by midday.Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, were among the most disrupted. Staffing shortages in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, were slowing traffic too.Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide, but they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10% of flights on Friday.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.Why are the flights being canceled?Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.How are passengers being affected?Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights haven’t been interrupted.There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.”Travel is stressful enough, then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging,” she said.Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.What could be the impacts beyond air travel?First, there’s the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues — from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.”This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel,” he said. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”___Associated Press journalists Cody Jackson in Miami, Paul Wiseman in Washington, Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Matt Sedensky in New York contributed.

    U.S. airlines again canceled more than 1,000 flights Saturday, mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic.

    The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports is now in its second day and so far hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. More than 1,000 flights were canceled Friday, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.

    Related video above: What to do if your air travel is impacted by the government shutdown

    THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below:

    Hundreds of flights at the busiest airports in the U.S. are being scratched this weekend as airlines move forward with reducing air service due to the lingering government shutdown.

    So far, the Federal Aviation Administration’s mandated slowdown across the airline industry that began Friday hasn’t caused any widespread disruptions. But it has widened the impact of what’s now the nation’s longest federal shutdown.

    “We all travel. We all have somewhere to be,” said Emmy Holguin, 36, who was flying out of Miami Saturday to visit family in the Dominican Republic for the week. “I’m hoping that the government can take care of this.”

    Analysts warn that the upheaval will intensify and be felt far beyond air travel if the cancellations pick up and move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday.

    Already, there are concerns about the impact on cities and businesses that rely on tourism and the possibility of shipping interruptions that could delay getting holiday items on store shelves.

    Here’s what to know about the flight reductions:

    How many flights have been canceled?

    The first day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s slowdown saw more than 1,000 flights canceled, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks flight disruptions.

    More than 950 were off for Saturday — typically a slow travel day. The airport serving Charlotte, North Carolina, was by far the hardest hit with 120 arriving and departing flights canceled by midday.

    Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Orlando, Florida, were among the most disrupted. Staffing shortages in Charlotte and Newark, New Jersey, were slowing traffic too.

    Not all the cancellations were due to the FAA order, and those numbers represent just a small portion of the overall flights nationwide, but they are certain to rise in the coming days if the slowdown continues.

    The FAA said the reductions impacting all commercial airlines are starting at 4% of flights at 40 targeted airports and will be bumped up again on Tuesday before hitting 10% of flights on Friday.

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned this week that even more flight cuts might be needed if the government shutdown continues and more air traffic controllers are off the job.

    Why are the flights being canceled?

    Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks for nearly a month as the shutdown continues, leading many to call in sick and add to already existing staffing shortages.

    Most controllers are working mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, and some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said.

    How are passengers being affected?

    Most were relieved to find that airlines largely stayed on schedule Friday, and those whose flights were called off were able to quickly rebook. So far, longer international flights haven’t been interrupted.

    There’s still a lot of uncertainty about what flights will be canceled next.

    And not everyone has the means to pay for a hotel or deal with a last-minute disruption, said Heather Xu, 46, who was in Miami on Saturday after a cruise and flying home to Puerto Rico.

    “Travel is stressful enough, then you put these disruptions in place and it really makes everything more challenging,” she said.

    Rental car companies reported a sharp increase in one-way reservations Friday, and some people are simply canceling flights altogether.

    What could be the impacts beyond air travel?

    First, there’s the potential for higher prices in stores, as nearly half of all U.S. air freight is shipped in the bellies of passenger aircraft.

    Major flight disruptions could bring higher shipping costs that get passed on to consumers, said Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.

    More losses will ripple through the economy if the slowdown continues — from tourism to manufacturing, said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group.

    “This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to people getting to business meetings to tourists being able to travel,” he said. “It’s going to hit the hotel taxes and city taxes. There’s a cascading effect that results from this thing.”

    ___

    Associated Press journalists Cody Jackson in Miami, Paul Wiseman in Washington, Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and Matt Sedensky in New York contributed.

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  • FAA Says It Will List Airports Where It’s Reducing Flights During The Government Shutdown – KXL

    Associated Press – The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to list where it plans to scale back flights by 10% starting Friday.

    The agency says it will release details Thursday.

    It says flights are being reduced to maintain safety during the government shutdown.

    Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since Oct. 1. And many are working mandatory overtime.

    Officials warn there could be chaos next week if controllers miss a second full paycheck.

    Staffing-related flight delays had been largely isolated and temporary throughout October.

    But the past weekend brought some of the worst staffing issues since the start of the shutdown.

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    Grant McHill

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  • FAA Reducing Air Traffic By 10% Across 40 ‘High-Volume’ Markets During Government Shutdown – KXL

    An United Airlines flight arrives at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.

    The agency is confronting staffing shortages caused by air traffic controllers, who are working unpaid, with some calling out of work during the shutdown, resulting in delays across the country.

    FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is not going to wait for a problem to act, saying the shutdown is causing staffing pressures and “we can’t ignore it.”

    Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet later Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction.

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Flight Delays Tied to Government Shutdown Expected to Get Worse: Trump Admin

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday he expects more flight delays and disruptions over the next week as the government shutdown impacts the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

    “Coming into this weekend and then the week after, I think you are going to see even more disruptions in the airspace,” Duffy said on Fox News.

    The government shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to work without pay, sparking staffing shortages at multiple airports including the major hubs of Orlando, Dallas/Fort Worth and Washington, D.C.

    This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. 

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  • Flights To Los Angeles International Airport Halted Due To Air Traffic Controller Shortage – KXL

    (Associated Press) – The Federal Aviation Administration says flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were halted briefly due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility.

    The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at one of the world’s busiest airports on Sunday morning soon after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed as the nation’s air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown.

    The hold on planes taking off for LAX lasted an hour and 45 minutes and didn’t appear to cause continued problems.

    The FAA said staffing shortages also delayed planes headed to Washington, Chicago and Newark, New Jersey on Sunday.

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    Grant McHill

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  • Cancellations and closures begin at Jamaican airports ahead of Hurricane Melissa

    A man installs storm shutters at a business in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Portmore, St. Catherine parish, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)

    A man installs storm shutters at a business in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Portmore, St. Catherine parish, Jamaica, on October 25, 2025. Deadly storm Melissa strengthened Saturday afternoon into a Category 1 hurricane, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it cut a worryingly slow course toward the Caribbean island of Jamaica, forecasters said. (Photo by Ricardo Makyn / AFP) (Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images)


    RICARDO MAKYN

    AFP via Getty Images

    A major international airport in Jamaica will close on Saturday night as Hurricane Melissa closes in on the island, officials announced.

    The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston will be shut down at 9 p.m. after the departure of the final scheduled flight of the night.

    Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay is open for now but may close later today, said Transport Minister Daryl Vaz. It is unclear when airports will be fully operational, as Melissa is set to make landfall sometime this weekend.

    Meanwhile, a JetBlue Airways spokesperson confirmed that all flights scheduled for Sunday and Monday to and from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport and Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport have been cancelled.

    Sangster International Airport reported multiple cancellations but noted that additional flight sections have been added to accommodate travelers leaving the island, according to a press release issued Saturday morning.

    At least seven Air Canada flights scheduled between Saturday and Tuesday have been cancelled, while JetBlue has cancelled 14 flights between Sunday and Tuesday. Caribbean Airlines has canceled two flights on Saturday and Sunday. Southwest has also cancelled eight flights planned for Sunday. Cancellations may change based on conditions and airport operations.

    American Airlines plans to cancel all flights to and from Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday, Laura Masvidal, a spokesperson for the carrier said. Flights in and out of Montego Bay will operate regularly. “We have a travel alert in place for those traveling to and from Jamaica,” she said.

    To assist affected passengers, Air Canada has added two extra flights on Saturday, and American Airlines has increased capacity on two of its Saturday departures.

    A spokesperson for Miami International Airport said there is one delayed departure to Montego Bay and that “isn’t necessarily because of the storm.”

    Miami Herald staff writer Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report.

    This story was originally published October 25, 2025 at 3:26 PM.

    Milena Malaver

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  • Alaska Airlines Says An Information Technology Outage Is Grounding Its Flights – KXL

    Alaska Airlines planes are shown parked at gates with Mount Rainier in the background at sunrise, March 1, 2021, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

    SEATTLE (AP) — An information technology outage has prompted Alaska Airlines to ground its planes, the airline said Thursday.

    The company said in a post on the social platform X that it imposed a “temporary ground stop.” It recommended that passengers check their flight status before heading to the airport.

    “We apologize for the inconvenience,” the post said.

    The airline didn’t immediately respond to an email requesting more information.

    The grounding was affecting Alaska Air and Horizon Air flights.

    Hawaiian Airlines, which was bought by Alaska Air Group last year, said its flights are operating as scheduled.

    In July, Alaska grounded all of its flights for about three hours after the failure of a critical piece of hardware at a data center.

    There has been a history of computer problems disrupting flights in the industry, though most of the time the disruptions are only temporary.

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    Jordan Vawter

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  • Six major US travel rules that have changed in 2025, explained

    From policy reversals to fee introductions and digital transformations at borders, 2025 has seen significant changes in travel rules that affect millions of passengers globally. Here, experts unpack some of the biggest updates so far this year.

    Travel Rules Changes for 2025:

    No Mandatory Cash Compensation for Delays

    A key proposal that would have required airlines to provide mandatory cash compensation to passengers for controllable delays was scrapped in September.

    “I think one of the biggest changes was in September, the Trump administration dropped a Biden-era plan that would have required airlines to provide cash compensation for significant flight delays,” travel expert Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and in-flight policy and procedure analyst, told Newsweek. “As a result, there is no federal rule mandating that airlines pay passengers for delays caused by issues within the carrier’s control.”

    According to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) previously issued an “Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that examined requiring U.S. and foreign air carriers to adopt and adhere to customer service plans identifying essential services,” such as meals, rebooking, hotel stays, transportation to or from the hotel, timely customer service, as well as “compensation which airlines would be required to provide to mitigate passenger inconveniences” when a flight cancellation or delay was “due to circumstances within the airline’s control.” 

    However, the office noted that “consistent with Department and administration priorities, the Department plans to withdraw the ANPRM.”

    Each airline sets its own compensation policies. According to the website of the DOT, which was last updated on September 11, “If an airline has made a commitment to provide a particular service or compensation, then the Department can hold the airline accountable.”

    The DOT guidance advises that “controllable delays” include those due to maintenance, crew issues, fueling, or baggage loading. Passengers are advised to check with their carrier during delays, as amenities such as meals or hotel stays vary by airline.

    American Airlines Removes Bag Sizers at Boarding Gates

    Another notable change came from American Airlines, which removed its gate-area bag sizers in October, a decision made to streamline boarding processes. According to an internal memo reported by the aviation website View From the Wing, gate agents are now instructed to “use their judgement” and “err on the side of the customer” when determining if a bag needs to be checked.

    While the move doesn’t change actual baggage size limits, it alters enforcement. “The bag sizer isn’t a ‘rule change’ per se,” Laurie told Newsweek. “The bag sizes are still in force, but the agents can now eyeball it and also take the passengers’ word for it.”

    Southwest Airlines Ends ‘Bags Fly Free’ Policy

    Perhaps one of the most dramatic shifts in airline policy this year came from Southwest Airlines. Known for its “Bags Fly Free” mantra, the airline eliminated free checked bags for most travelers on flights booked from May 28 onward.

    “One of the biggest shakeups in the travel industry this year comes from Southwest Airlines,” Sarah Silbert from Points Path, a flight search browser extension tool, told Newsweek. “The airline ended that longstanding perk…and has now joined the ranks of other major U.S. airlines by introducing hefty checked bag fees.”

    Sarah Pardi, a travel expert at the global insurance firm Insurte, told Newsweek: “Checking a bag can be expensive, so it was definitely a selling point for customers looking for a great deal.”

    Travelers with a Southwest credit card or A-List status can still check one bag for free.

    Spirit Airlines Offers Two Free Checked Bags—to Some

    While other carriers tighten baggage perks, Spirit Airlines has taken a different approach. As of 2025, the ultra-low-cost carrier now allows co-branded credit card holders to check two bags for free—provided the booking is made directly through the airline.

    Pardi said: “The Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard, which is co-branded with Bank of America, will allow Spirit Airlines travelers a two-bag allowance each when tickets are booked directly through Spirit with the credit card.”

    Southwest To Introduce Assigned Seating

    While not yet active, another big shift is on the horizon for Southwest Airlines. As of January 27, 2026, the airline will transition from its open seating model to an assigned seating system.

    “One of the more quirky experiences when flying Southwest is that seats are not assigned,” Pardi told Newsweek. “Starting January 27 of 2026, this is changing…fare choices will include Standard, Preferred, and Extra Legroom.”

    Southwest’s website confirms the change, promising “seat options that allow you to choose the experience you prefer,” and highlighting upgrades as part of its broader rebrand, including new cabin designs and loyalty perks.

    Digital Entry Replaces Passport Stamps

    A major change across the pond will affect American travelers looking to collect passport stamps while trekking around Europe. As of October 12, the European Union began rolling out its Entry/Exit System (EES), phasing out physical passport stamps in favor of biometric data collection at border checkpoints.

    “The new Entry/Exit System (EES) started to be operational on 12 October 2025,” according to the European Commission’s official travel website. The system captures fingerprints and facial images, and will be gradually deployed across the Schengen Area, with full implementation expected by April 10, 2026.

    Do you have a travel-related story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

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  • ‘Ur mom making it worse is SENDING ME’: Man flies from Miami to New Jersey. Then he survives the ‘flight from hell’

    A New Jersey man recounts his scary turbulence experience when he had to fly from Miami during a storm. Viewers react to how he coped with the hellish flight and other anxious passengers.

    In a video with around 10,000 views, TikToker Mike Panettiere (@mikepanettiere) sits in his car as he recounts the “flight from hell” from Miami to New Jersey. He says he originally planned to fly out a day later but was hoping to catch an earlier flight to miss a storm in New Jersey.

    “I get a text that the flight was delayed an hour and a half,” he says. “No big deal.”

    He heads to the airport in an Uber and decides to “garden,” TikTok slang for using marijuana, to ease his nerves before the flight.

    Panettiere gets a text while going through security that his flight is delayed even longer. In that moment, he realizes his edible will “hit” before he boards the flight.

    When he gets to the gate, an agent announces over the loudspeaker that the flight may be canceled. He calls his mom, who was going to pick him up in New Jersey, to let her know the flight may not go out.

    “[She says], ‘What? What do you mean? What are we gonna do? You’re gonna have to stay till Tuesday,”” he recounts dramatically. “Now my stress and cortisol levels are through the roof.”

    Luckily, a short time later, the agent announces that the flight will leave at 7:30 p.m.

    Panettiere continues that other passengers began freaking out as they boarded the plane. One couple begs the flight attendant to let them sit together, as the wife has severe flight anxiety. He watches the couple switch seats with other passengers to sit next to each other.

    Then, the pilot makes an announcement that they expect severe turbulence about one hour into the flight.

    Is it safe to fly in a storm?

    He says the first hour of the flight was smooth, but the turbulence intensified in the second hour of the flight.

    “I kid you not, the plan was going like this,” he says, making wave motions with his arm. “And I am bugging out.”

    While turbulence can be disturbing for passengers, it’s generally fine to fly during a storm, according to the BBC. In fact, pilots are trained to perform special maneuvers that make flying with turbulence safe. Should a severe storm impact flying conditions, the flight may be canceled.

    Panettiere says his heart rate was so fast during the turbulence, getting a reading of 170 beats per minute on his watch.

    He says the woman with anxiety starts screaming as the turbulence worsens, leading other passengers to begin freaking out, too.

    “So now I’m hearing this and I’m bugging out,” he says. “She’s stressing me out to the max.”

    He says the turbulence only lasted 10 to 15 minutes, but it felt like “two and a half to three hours.”

    “I’ve never been on a plane where the turbulence is that bad,” he remarks at the end of the clip. “I recommend not gardening before a flight.”

    How did viewers react to his flight story?

    In the comments, viewers joke about his chaotic flight saga.

    “I’m sorry but as a flight attendant myself…I am crying laughing at this story,” one says.

    “I’m laughing so hard i work over nites shifts this made my nite lol sorry though this happen to u,” another comments.

    Others share their own scary turbulence experiences.

    “Miami to jersey is a different flight. I was sick MULTIPLE TIMES BACK BC OF TURBULENCE,” a commenter writes.

    “My brother, sisinlaw & niece were on a plane from Cincinnati to RI. Turbulence inbound to RI in pitch black. Lightning, thunder, up and down. My niece? 2 rows back screaming: Get me off this plane!!” another shares.

    “My scariest flight was alsoooo Miami to nj,” a third adds.

    @mikepanettiere Buckle up… because I just survived the FLIGHT FROM HELL ?? I swear I’m not exaggerating — this was straight out of a movie ?✈️ #flightfromhell #storytime #traveling #fyp #turbelence ♬ original sound – Mike Panettiere

    The Mary Sue reached out to Panettiere via Instagram direct message.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Rebekah Harding is a reporter and content strategist based in Philadelphia. You can contact her at rebekahjonesharding.com.

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  • Filing a complaint about the Air Canada strike? Expect a long wait – MoneySense

    The Canadian Transportation Agency said its backlog of air travel complaints stood at about 85,000 as of Aug. 14, two days before the strike started.

    The agency had received nearly 13,500 complaints this year as of that date, which would not yet have included complaints related to the Air Canada work stoppage. The backlog has been growing since the federal government passed rules that came into force in 2019 that set compensation amounts for flight delays, cancellations, and the like.

    Complaints have nearly quadrupled in recent years

    The CTA implemented a new system in 2023 to ramp up its capacity to deal with complaints, but the number of gripes being submitted has also swelled. The agency received nearly 47,000 complaints during the 2024–25 fiscal year, up from around 43,500 in 2023–24 and 42,000 the year before that. Complaints in 2022–23 skyrocketed from the prior year, when the agency received around 12,000.

    “This unpredictability in complaint volumes poses challenges in planning for case processing times and delivering accurate information to the public,” said CTA spokesperson Jadrino Huot in an email. “To mitigate this risk, the CTA continually reviews and streamlines its business processes and procedures, while also adopting new technologies and tools to enhance efficiency.”

    Huot said that in the 2024–25 fiscal year, the CTA closed more than 33,600 complaints, a sharp increase from previous years, but not enough to reduce the growing backlog.

    With the current logjam, customers who have filed a complaint with the CTA can expect to wait 1.5 to two years for a resolution, if not longer as the system becomes increasingly overwhelmed, said Air Passenger Rights advocacy group president Gabor Lukacs. He said he recommends customers instead take the airline to small claims court where cases can often be resolved more swiftly.

    At the CTA, unresolved cases continue to pile up in part because Canada’s passenger rights charter is “unnecessarily and disproportionately complex,” especially compared with its European counterpart, said Lukacs. He said that increases how long it takes the CTA to decide whether or not compensation is owed by an airline.

    The agency also hasn’t implemented a cost recovery fee that would force airlines to contribute to the cost of the complaint resolution process, he said. “The current strike and its aftermath and how passengers were treated bears evidence that the Canadian Transportation Agency is just not fulfilling its function when it comes to the (regulations),” said Lukacs.

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    First, file a claim with the airline

    Huot said that with regards to the recent Air Canada strike, the Canada Transportation Act stipulates that passengers must first contact the airline in writing with their claims. After doing so, passengers who still believe the airline has not met its obligations, or have not received a response within 30 days, may submit a complaint to the CTA.

    Air Canada has offered customers with cancelled flights related to the work stoppage a full refund or credit for future travel if they could not be rebooked on a competitor’s flight. The company also announced a reimbursement policy last week for alternative transportation and out-of-pocket expenses. 

    Those with cancelled Air Canada flights originally scheduled to depart from Aug. 15 to Aug. 23 can submit a request to be reimbursed for the cost of their alternative arrangements through a form on Air Canada’s website. The policy also covers “reasonable expenses” for hotel stays, meals, and other related costs. It said it may take four to six weeks to reimburse affected customers “due to the anticipated volume” of claims.

    “If Air Canada is willing to do the right thing, I would go along with the form,” said Lukacs. “But the form is not the end of the road. The form is just the beginning of the road. It’s the easiest way possible for Air Canada to do what is required by law.”

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  • TSA announces checked-in luggage change

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated its rules for checked luggage.

    According to new rules announced by the TSA on social media, cordless curling irons, flat irons, and hair straighteners that use lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal, or gas/butane fuel are now prohibited from checked luggage, though some of the items may be allowed in carry-on bags.

    Newsweek has contacted the TSA for comment via email.

    Why It Matters

    The change directly affects millions of travelers who rely on battery-powered hair styling tools, particularly those who frequently fly for work or vacation.

    A notice of baggage inspection by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is displayed in Frederick, Md., on Aug. 12, 2013.

    Jon Elswick/AP

    What To Know

    Travelers packing these devices in carry-ons must use a safety cover to prevent accidental activation. Spare gas cartridges are strictly banned from all luggage.

    Wall-plugged hot tools remain allowed in checked baggage. Popular brands such as Tymo and Conair also offer cordless models that fall under the new restrictions.

    The items have been flagged by the Federal Aviation Administration for having potentially hazardous materials, according to a report from TheStreet.

    “Any cordless curling irons containing gas cartridges (butane) discovered in a checked bag will be removed and turned over to the airline as a HAZMAT item,” the TSA said on X.

    This policy change comes a couple of months after the TSA’s July 8, 2025, decision to end the requirement for passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings.

    The TSA said the policy change will increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times.

    “Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

    “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multilayered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel.”

    Since Trump’s second term began, the Department of Homeland Security has made a series of moves aimed at streamlining airport security.

    On July 2, TSA launched its “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” program, offering uniformed service members and their families benefits such as discounted TSA PreCheck enrollment and access to expedited security lanes at select airports. Earlier in May, the agency began enforcing REAL ID at checkpoints, achieving a 94 percent compliance rate and helping to speed up the security screening process.

    What People Are Saying

    Daniel Velez, the spokesperson for Florida’s TSA, told the Florida Times-Union: “Bottom line … If these items can catch fire in the cargo area where checked bags are transported, there’s no one there to put it out. That’s why they’re only allowed in carry-on bags.”

    What Happens Next

    The changes will come into effect immediately.

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  • Delta Passenger Swaps Seat To Be With Air Hostesses, Outrage Over Why

    Reddit Post

    Form 2106 instructions

    The Federal Aviation Administration says that flight attendants are expected to “verify that the armrests are in the normal forward/down position in order to ensure that they do not obstruct the passageway between the row or seats leading from the aisle to the emergency exit.”

    A spokesperson for Delta told Newsweek: “Armrests must be lowered upon taxi, takeoff and landing. This is announced ahead of takeoff and landing.”

    Asked whether passengers are allowed to stay among flight attendants during a flight journey, as the woman allegedly did in the Reddit post, the spokesperson added: “No further comment on the rest of the post, as we are unable to verify the accuracy of the claims made by the poster.”

    Scientific research also supports the importance of proper seat belt use. An October 2020 study published in World Neurosurgery found that, while lap seat belts can help protect passengers from turbulence, they may be less effective during sudden deceleration during takeoff or landing. The study recommended enhanced safety harnesses as a more-protective alternative in such cases.

    ‘Infuriating’

    The woman in the Reddit post said that the encounter began before takeoff, when she found the armrest already raised as she arrived at her assigned seat. “He was on the phone before takeoff, so I didn’t know when/how to interject before I asked for my seat belt,” she said.

    She added that the issue continued throughout the flight until she finally sought help from a flight attendant. “I ended up asking FA [flight attendant] for help. The FA walked me back to the seat and shook him awake from his nap. She told him we must put the armrest down for safety and I need to be able to fit in the seat and put my seat belt on.

    “He put up a complaint that he is 6’5″ but we were able to get the armrest down and he moved his leg straighter so our thighs were no longer touching.”

    When the poster initially tried asking the man directly to put down the armrest, she said he replied: “I could try.”

    The experience left her so unsettled that she temporarily removed herself from the situation. “I was in the back when I made this post and I first stayed in the bathroom an extra long time and then I was standing in the back,” she wrote. “The leg touching was very uncomfortable and I didn’t want to go back to my seat.”

    The Reddit post sparked swift reactions, with users sharply criticizing the man’s response and lack of spatial awareness.

    “Some people really have zero boundaries. It’s infuriating,” wrote u/ProfessorRealistic86. Another commenter, u/Traditional-Buddy136, reacted to the attached image by saying: “Good Lord. That’s an entire leg.”

    Others pointed out inappropriate body language, with u/Intelligent-Award881 adding: “And then the hand in the crotch thing. Bro, find another place and time for that.”

    Seat-belt safety has also become part of the debate. One Reddit commenter, u/tireddoc1, criticized the passenger’s dismissive remark, writing: “Such an ignorant comment about the seat belt.”

    U/Rubes2525 added: “Seatbelts are also to make sure you don’t slam your head on the ceiling in case of turbulence. Keeping your seat belts fastened during the flight has little to do about a potential crash.”

    Some Reddit users called for better passenger education. “They should play a video on [airplane etiquette] before playing the safety video,” suggested u/Constant-Juggernaut2.

    Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via the Reddit messaging system.

    Stock image: A flight attendant directs a woman on a plane toward a seat. Getty

    Do you have a travel-related story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

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  • Get AI-Powered Flight Deals Delivered to Your Inbox | Entrepreneur

    Get AI-Powered Flight Deals Delivered to Your Inbox | Entrepreneur

    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    While everything has seemingly gone up in price, business travel in particular can quickly eat into your budget. There are ways to dramatically reduce those costs with one easy and affordable investment. Sounds amazing? Head straight to checkout to grab it at this price.

    The OneAir Elite Plan offers a lifetime subscription that helps people save big on flights, hotels, and more. For just $69.99 (reg. $790) through November 3, you can gain access to an exclusive membership that ensures you’ll always find the best deals on travel.

    OneAir Elite is designed to help you travel smarter financially. With lifetime access to a vast selection of business, first, premium, and economy-class flight deals from up to 10 home airports to destinations worldwide, you’ll never miss out on a great deal. This membership also includes access to all mistake fares, giving you an even greater chance to score great prices.

    At the heart of OneAir Elite’s effectiveness is its advanced AI technology. This AI-powered system scans and tracks millions of fares in real time, so you receive the best flight deals faster and more accurately than ever before. It’s like having a personal travel assistant who never sleeps, constantly on the lookout for deals that fit your specific needs.

    If this could help your bottom line, stop wasting time and go to checkout to purchase it now.

    The OneAir Mobile App for iOS and Android makes the entire process simple and user-friendly. Unlike other discount travel services that redirect you to third-party sites to complete your bookings, OneAir allows you to search, book, and manage your travel all within the app.

    The Elite Plan allows you to set up destination-specific deal alerts and tailor your preferences. Whether you have frequent business trips to specific cities or you’re planning future international meetings, you’ll receive relevant and targeted flight deals that align with your needs.

    Don’t sit on this opportunity to get the best flight deals and one-on-one support for the rest of your life.

    Head straight to checkout to get a OneAir Elite Plan lifetime subscription on sale for just 69.99 (reg. $790) through November 3.

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  • My Secret Weapon for Affordable Business Travel | Entrepreneur

    My Secret Weapon for Affordable Business Travel | Entrepreneur

    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    Written by Amanda Eiden

    I used to dread booking business trips. I’d spend hours hunched over my laptop, scouring the web for airfare that didn’t send my little art shop into the red. Needless to say, consistently high airfare costs drained the fun of touring brick-and-mortar stores and meeting with investors interested in my brand.

    Matt’s Flights changed everything. This flight alert service constantly sends me affordable airfare deals. I haven’t stressed about booking in months. I only paid $79.97, and I’ll get offers emailed to me for life.

    You won’t believe how affordable my flight to JFK was

    These deals have already saved my business hundreds of dollars. A hobby shop in Brooklyn wanted me to visit in November, and my heart started racing—I figured flight costs would be off the charts with the upcoming holiday season.

    I didn’t even want to look at Delta’s website. So, I went to Matt’s Flights and entered a custom search request that included the airports and my travel dates. I was already getting emails with deals for locations like Orlando, Houston, and Charlotte, but I didn’t have time to wait until deals for New York City hit my inbox.

    Matt got back to me the next day with a flight from BOS to JFK for only $34. I literally couldn’t believe it, but I booked it anyway. And, yes, that was a roundtrip flight.

    The prices I found on my own were closer to $200, so I’m not sure how Matt could find flights for so cheap. I won’t question his methods because me and my little sticker shop are grateful. With prices like these, I’ll get more opportunities to travel and grow my business into something huge. Well, I can hope.

    If you want to find discounted flights for business travel, I couldn’t recommend Matt’s Flights more. Get a lifetime subscription for $79.97 (reg. $1,800) for a limited time.

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  • Air France is partnering with Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi during flights

    Air France is partnering with Elon Musk’s Starlink to offer free high-speed Wi-Fi during flights

    Air France announced on Thursday that starting in summer 2025, passengers would have access to “ultra-high-speed” Wi-Fi on its flights through Elon Musk’s Starlink.

    Starlink will eventually be rolled out to Air France’s entire fleet, with access available for free to all travel cabins. Users will have to sign up for and log into the airline’s Flying Blue loyalty program to use the service.

    “During the flight, customers will be able to easily stay in touch with friends and family, follow all the world’s news live, play video games online, and of course stream TV, films, and series,” Air France said in a release. “The service will be accessible from smartphones, digital tablets, and laptops, and each customer will be able to connect several devices simultaneously.”

    Air France noted that during the transition to Starlink, there will still be a free “Message Pass” for Flying Blue members as well as a paid Wi-Fi option for expanded connectivity needs.

    The announcement comes just over a week after United Airlines unveiled a similar partnership with Starlink. Delta Airlines, a major Air France partner, was the first to roll out Starlink on its flights starting in 2023 and is in the process of adding the Wi-Fi to international flights.

    Air France, and other airlines that have switched to the SpaceX service, boast that Starlink offers stronger streaming and faster connectivity due to its low-Earth orbit satellites that can provide internet access in remote regions and over the ocean.

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  • Here’s How Entrepreneurs Can Save on Business Trips | Entrepreneur

    Here’s How Entrepreneurs Can Save on Business Trips | Entrepreneur

    Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

    As an entrepreneur or business owner, travel might be a fundamental aspect of your strategy to network, expand, or oversee operations. Though, it probably isn’t in your business plan to spend a lot of money doing so. In 2023, Zippia reports that the average business traveler spends $949 in fees.

    You could reduce travel expenses such as flights and hotels if you shop around on sites like Expedia or Priceline, but why not let this AI-powered travel app help you book your next business trip? Save 40% to 90% on upcoming trips for life when you get OneAir’s Elite Plan for $69.99 (reg. $790).

    Your most affordable business trip yet

    Whether you’re meeting partners in New York City or London or flying employees to a company retreat, travel expenses add up. If you’re ready to cut some of those costs down, add up to ten departing locations and specific destinations where you have client-facing meetings or networking events.

    Once you’ve entered that information, OneAir’s AI engine will scan and track millions of fares in real-time to alert you to the best deals on economy, premium, business, and first-class flights.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfMMshBKlvI

    The best part about OneAir (aside from the travel savings it’ll find you) is that you can book flights on its iOS, Android, or web app without being redirected to other sites—au revoir, third parties. And unlike Google Flights or another flight finder, every price OneAir sends you is all-inclusive with no additional costs or fees.

    After finding your desired flight, use OneAir to explore deals on hotels and resorts, rental cars, and excursions. You might just save up to 60% on travel accommodations for yourself and your employees and get a wholesale price on sightseeing activities or meals at hip restaurants.

    A travel app designed for entrepreneurs

    Any business owner knows that time gets away from them, so to help you plan out the details of your trip, OneAir Elite offers 24/7 support for any stage of your travel organization. While you’ll get booking assistance from its AI, you’ll get itinerary help from real people.

    No matter where you need to travel for work, you might be able to save hundreds with this app. Grab a lifetime subscription to the OneAir Elite Plan for $69.99 (reg. $790).

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  • “I’m interested in visiting Europe”: How this student can build a credit score while earning valuable travel rewards – MoneySense

    “I’m interested in visiting Europe”: How this student can build a credit score while earning valuable travel rewards – MoneySense

    Before heading to school, Kinsey acquired her first credit card, an Alterna Savings Cash Back Visa. Although she also banks with EQ Bank, her primary bank card was with Alterna Savings and Credit Union. “So it was kind of natural and the easiest way for me to get a credit card,” she explains.

    Still new to credit cards, Kinsey doesn’t have a credit score—a number between 300 and 900 that shows lenders how creditworthy you are (the higher the score, the better). She’s looking to build one while also earning rewards—be it cash back (to “make the most of my spending”) or travel points (she’s an Aeroplan member). 

    Kinsey is an avid traveller—she recently visited Greece and Japan, where she has family. “I’ve been down south to Cuba and Florida. I went to Halifax, because I have some friends out there. I’ll travel within Canada, but I’m definitely more interested in visiting places in Europe,” she says. 

    Photo courtesy of Aya Kinsey

    What credit card features does she need? 

    Like many university students, Kinsey’s ambitious, eager to travel and just wants to find her financial footing. Given her existing ties to Alterna, it’s no surprise she ended up with an Alterna Savings Cash Back Visa—most Canadians stick with the same financial institutions for a good part of their lives. But, Kinsey can find a credit card better suited to her needs by expanding her horizons. 

    With Alterna, she gets 1 Collabria reward point per $1 spent on groceries, gas, public transit, select recurring bills and digital streaming purchases, and 0.5 points on all other purchases. The value of those points maybe an issue. The value of a Collabria point fluctuates based on what you’re redeeming for: cash back offers the best value, at $0.01 per point, but you must redeem in increments of 3,000 points (for $30), 5,000 points ($50) and 10,000 points (for $100), depending on the Collabria card you have. And when redeeming for travel, merchandise or gift cards, a point can be worth anywhere from $0.002 and $0.008. This means cardholders earn a maximum return of 1% in rewards ($0.01) for every dollar they spend. Often, the return is less than that. 

    For Kinsdey, it’s clear travelling is a priority. She needs a credit card that can cheapen the costs of flying to visit family and friends. At the same time, she’s just getting familiar with paying for life on her own, tuition being her biggest expense, and her income this year will be modest at best—she hopes to freelance as a content marketer. 

    So, right now, Kinsey’s primary goals should be building a credit score and increasing her income potential by completing her studies. Later in life, she will likely have access to plenty of premium travel credit cards to match her desired lifestyle—for example, she’ll need a personal annual income of $60,000 for Visa Infinite cards and $80,000 for World Elite Mastercards. 

    Which credit card should she get?

    Credit card pick #1: CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students

    For her current situation, the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students would tick a lot of boxes. It’s a no-fee, no-income-required card. Kinsey’s already an Aeroplan points collector, and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa would add 1 Aeroplan point to her account per $1 spent on Air Canada purchases (such as future flights) and on groceries—she has a campus meal plan but expects it won’t cover all her food expenses. That’s in addition to points already earned as an Aeroplan member, through the “earn points twice” feature of Aeroplan credit cards. 

    Justin Dallaire

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