Reader bockrr brought to our attention a new premium card called ‘Atlas Card‘ that comes with a $999 annual fee. The benefits of the card are as follows:
$999 Annual fee
Access to Atlas supper club (reservations at exclusive restaurants)
$189 credit towards CLEAR membership
Card earns at the following rates:
5x points with BLADE on helicopter rides and flights
3x points on highest spend category
1x points on all other purchases
Cancel flights without fees (up to $600 annually)
One Medical membership ($199)
Erewhon Cafe membership ($100)
FUTURE fitness training membership ($25 per month, up to $300 annually)
Card is 21 gram steel alloy, milled, engraved, and polished to a brilliant mirror shine
Our Verdict
Flight cancellation benefit is interesting but no matter how you slice it’s extremely hard/impossible to justify the annual fee especially when there is no sign up bonus.
You always hope that flights will go according to plan. However, that’s not always the case — flight delays, schedule changes and shifting itineraries may make it necessary to contact an airline’s customer service department.
If you’ve booked a flight with Turkish Airlines and need to get a hold of them, don’t worry. Here, we’ll break down all the ways to contact Turkish Airlines customer service.
How do I reach Turkish Airlines customer service?
You can contact Turkish Airlines customer service via phone, email and more. You can see all of the available contact methods on their website.
How to call Turkish Airlines customer service
Turkish Airlines’ customer service number in the USA is: +1 (800) 874-8875. This is their general call center specifically within the United States and is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
There are also different customer service numbers depending on where you’re flying from. Their website has a menu of drop-downs from which you can select the nearest available office. In doing so, you will be given a dedicated Turkish Airlines customer service phone number.
Can you chat with Turkish Airlines?
It’s possible to chat with Turkish Airlines if you have any issues. Navigating to Turkish Airlines’ website allows you to do so. On the right side of the home page is a button labeled Contact Us. Pressing this button brings up the option to start a web chat.
Note that this online chat appears to be AI rather than a live agent, so your options for usage may be limited.
How to message Turkish Airlines
If you’re not interested in chatting online with Turkish Airlines, you can also choose to message the airline via WhatsApp. The phone number for this is +90 850 333 0849.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Many businesses respond more quickly when you reach out via their social media profiles versus using a web form or chat.
How to email Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines doesn’t publish an email address that you can use, but it is still possible to message them his way. To do so, you’ll again want to find and click the Contact Us button on Turkish Airlines’ home page.
Aside from a web chat, another one of the available choices is the opportunity to fill out a feedback form. This form allows you to message Turkish Airlines about a variety of issues, including its reward program, flights, airport experiences and more.
Depending on the message that you send, Turkish Airlines notes that it aims to respond within seven to 14 business days.
Who do I contact about my Turkish Miles&Smiles loyalty account?
Turkish Airlines doesn’t maintain any special numbers for its Miles&Smiles accounts. If you need to contact the airline, you can do so using the call center phone number, the web form email or the online chat.
Does Turkish give refunds for canceled flights?
Turkish Airlines customer service in the U.S. is subject to local laws. This means that any flights departing from or flying to the United States must obey the rules set by the Department of Transportation.
This means that any flight, regardless of when it was booked, is eligible for a refund if the airline cancels it.
The airline is also required to give you a refund in the event of a significant schedule change or delay, although there is no specific definition for what is considered a “significant delay.”
How to find lost luggage on Turkish Airlines
If your bag has been lost by Turkish Airlines, you’ll want to head to the luggage office at the airport before departing. They’ll be able to complete a claim and give you a reference number. Once done, you can use this number to check on the status of your bag via Turkish’s site.
If you’ve already left the airport, you can also report your lost luggage via a special form. Turkish will respond and give you a case number, after which you’ll be able to check the progress of your issue.
Where do I offer feedback or send a complaint to Turkish Airlines?
If you’d like to offer feedback or send in a complaint to Turkish Airlines, your best bet is to use the web form email. There is a wide variety of topics from which to choose, and you can even rely on the web form to ask for a refund or note denied boarding on your flight.
Contacting Turkish Airlines customer service recapped
Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline in the world. No matter where you are in your journey, there is usually a way to get in contact with Turkish Airlines. Along with a 24/7 phone number, you can use online chats, messaging, social media and even email to reach out to Turkish Airlines for customer service if needed.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Booking a flight used to be simple. Travelers had the option of booking a seat in either economy or first class. However, more recently, airlines like American Airlines have focused on “product segmentation” — adding in additional fare classes and cabins in an effort to maximize revenue.
Now, travelers have seemingly endless fare options when trying to book a flight. Should you book basic economy or “Main Cabin” — American Airlines’ new term for a standard economy ticket? And what the heck is Main Plus? Let’s dig into the American Airlines class codes, fare classes and more so you can make sense of it all.
American Airlines booking classes
American Airlines uses the following booking classes for revenue (non-award) fares:
Basic economy: B.
Main Cabin: O, Q, N, S, G, V, M, L, K, H, Y.
Premium economy: P, W.
Business class: I, R, D, C, J.
First class: A, F.
You’ll notice that there aren’t separate booking fare classes for Main Cabin Extra, Main Plus, Main Select or Flagship Business Plus as these are just add-on packages on top of the standard fare in that cabin.
American Airlines fare classes
At current count, American Airlines offers at least 11 different fare classes:
First class (domestic).
Main Select.
Main Plus.
Not every flight is going to have every one of these classes. For example, a domestic U.S. flight will typically offer first class, Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin seating — with basic economy, Main Plus and maybe even Main Select fares sold on that flight.
Meanwhile, an international flight on American Airlines’ flagship Boeing 777-300ER will offer Flagship first class, Flagship business class, premium economy, Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin seating — typically with basic economy, Main Plus, and sometimes Main Select fares sold in the Main Cabin and the option to buy Flagship Business Plus in business class.
American Airlines different classes of economy fares
Almost every American Airlines flight offers Main Cabin Extra, Main Cabin and basic economy fares. There are also two fare options — Main Plus and Main Select — that give you access to Main Cabin Extra seats and a few other perks.
So, let’s break down the differences between these American Airlines economy fare classes:
Fare Class
Basic economy
Main Cabin
Main Cabin Extra
Main Select
Changes allowed
Yes, with no fee.
Yes, with no fee.
Yes, with no fee.
Fully refundable.
Seat selection
For a fee.
Free for standard seats.
Complimentary for any extra-legroom seat.
Complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats.
Complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats.
Carry-on bag
1 personal item and 1 carry-on.
1 personal item and 1 carry-on.
1 personal item and 1 carry-on.
1 personal item and 1 carry-on.
1 personal item and 1 carry-on.
Boarding group (out of 9 groups)
Group 9 (Group 8 on certain international flights).
Group 7 and 8.
Alcoholic drinks
Available for purchase.
Available for purchase.
Complimentary beer, wine and spirits.
Complimentary beer, wine and spirits, when you select a Main Cabin Extra seat.
Complimentary beer, wine and spirits, when you select a Main Cabin Extra seat.
Eligible for upgrades
Base mileage earnings
2 miles per dollar.
5 miles per dollar.
5 miles per dollar.
5 miles per dollar.
5 miles per dollar.
Compared to other airlines — looking at you, United Airlines — American Airlines’ basic economy isn’t as punitive. Basic economy passengers still get a full-size carry-on bag, are able to purchase seats from the time of booking and AAdvantage elites are still eligible for upgrades to first class.
However, American Airlines passengers earn 60% fewer miles when booking a basic economy seat compared to a Main Cabin fare. Plus, you won’t be able to change your booking.
Purchasing a Main Cabin fare gets you a higher mileage earning rate, free changes (though a fare difference may apply), free seat selection and a slightly earlier boarding group. However, your seat and in-flight experience will be the same — unless you purchase a Main Cabin Extra seat.
Main Cabin Extra technically isn’t a different fare class. Instead, you score a couple of extra perks by purchasing a “Main Cabin Extra” extra-legroom seat — or selecting it for free if you have AAdvantage elite status. In addition to extra legroom, perks include an earlier boarding group and complimentary beer, wine and spirits. However, you still generally get the same seat type and service as Main Cabin.
Main Plus is essentially a fare class package that adds a free checked bag and Main Cabin Extra on top of a standard Main Cabin ticket.
Likewise, Main Select is a different type of fare package that makes your fare fully refundable, bumps you up to Group 4 priority boarding and lets you make confirmed flight changes the day of departure. However, you don’t get a free checked bag with this option.
Why do American Airlines class codes matter?
If you’re opting to earn AAdvantage miles on an American Airlines flight, your booking class generally doesn’t matter. If you booked basic economy, you’ll earn a base of 2 miles per eligible dollar spent. Otherwise, you’ll earn a base of 5 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent. And AAdvantage elites earn a bonus on top of those base earning rates.
However, your booking class matters if you booked a special fare (e.g. as part of a package), plan to apply a mileage upgrade or plan to credit your flight to another mileage program. In these cases, your American Airlines class codes will determine how many miles you earn or how much your upgrade will cost.
For instance, let’s take a flight from New York-John F. Kennedy to Los Angeles. Booking a $108 one-way basic economy fare will earn a base AAdvantage member 174 miles (2x the base fare of $87). If you book the flight as part of a package, it may code as a special fare and earn 248 miles (10% of the 2,475-mile distance). Or, you can credit this basic economy flight to British Airways to earn 619 Avios (25% of the 2,475-mile distance).
However, if you select the $153 Main Cabin fare instead, you’ll earn 645 AAdvantage miles (619 if booked as a special fare) or 619 Avios. Plus, you gain the ability to upgrade this fare to business class for 15,000 miles plus $75 — if there’s upgrade availability.
If you book at the last-minute or a flight is almost sold out, you’ll likely book into a higher American Airlines fare class. AAdvantage mileage earnings would still be calculated based on the cost, but you’ll earn additional miles when crediting to another mileage program.
How do I find my fare class on American Airlines?
When you’re shopping for a ticket on American, the fare classes are listed under “Details” under each departure time.
Click the “Details” button and a screen will pop up with class code info, broken out by ticket type.
For example, in the screenshot above, the flight from Chicago to Dallas has the following fare classes: B in basic economy, N in main cabin and I in first class.
American Airlines classes and fares recapped
American Airlines offers a large variety of fare classes and booking codes.
While the alphabet soup of booking fare codes has been a part of airlines for years, new American Airlines fare classes like Main Plus, Main Select and Flagship Business Plus add new complications when travelers are booking a flight.
However, knowing the differences between the fare classes and picking the right one can help you get the features you value most — whether that’s an extra legroom seat or higher mileage earnings.
(Top photo courtesy of American Airlines)
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Traveling with children can create lifelong memories for the entire family. But traveling with an infant on American Airlines may be unfamiliar territory for parents and guardians.
On American Airlines, young children can travel on your lap or in their own seat. Learn more about the American Airlines infant policy, how car seat and strollers are treated and other rules you need to know.
What is the American Airlines children policy?
The American Airlines children policy varies based on how old the child is. The policy also covers accessories commonly used when traveling with young children.
Children under 2 years old
The American Airlines infant rules state you can travel with infants as young as 2 days old. However, if the infant is under 7 days old, you must provide a doctor’s letter stating they are medically cleared to travel.
Children under 2 years old may be ticketed as a lap child or have their own seat. Many parents travel as much as they can when their children are under 2 because the children are “free” since they don’t require their own seat when traveling as a lap child.
When the child has their own seat, they must have an approved safety seat or be able to sit upright without assistance. Parents traveling with more than one child under age 2 can have only one lap child per adult. Additional children must have their own seats.
When flying American, if the lap child turns 2 during the trip, they’ll need their own seat for the remainder of the trip, starting with their birthday.
American Airlines infant policy provides bassinets on a first-come, first-served basis to passengers younger than 2 who weigh 20 pounds or less. They are available to travelers flying on 777-200, 777-300 and 787 aircraft. However, they are unavailable to passengers traveling in first or business class.
Children 2 years and older
When travelers are 2 years and older, they must have their own seat on the plane with a purchased adult fare. You can purchase a cash ticket, award flight, companion ticket or other eligible ticket.
Children under the age of 5 cannot travel on their own. Once your child reaches their fifth birthday, they can travel solo by following the American Airlines unaccompanied minor policies.
Boarding priority
Travelers on American Airlines flying with a child under 2 years old can ask the gate agents to board early. The American Airlines boarding process allows eligible families to preboard before other passengers.
Families traveling with children
Families traveling with children younger than 15 can sit together without paying extra fees.
To ensure you benefit from this policy, all travelers should be booked on the same reservation. If your flights were booked separately, call American Airlines customer service to have your reservations linked.
During the booking process, select seats together for your party. The further out from the departure date that you book, the more likely you are to find available seats together. If you skip seat selection, the gate agent can try to reseat you to have your party seated next to one another. Even if your entire party isn’t able to sit together, staff will assign seats so that at least one adult is seated next to a child.
Proof of age
When traveling with children under the age of 18, parents must be able to show proof of age when asked by American Airlines staff. A copy of their birth certificate or a passport are acceptable forms of identification.
International travel
If you’re traveling outside the U.S., children must have their own passport. When children under the age of 18 travel with just one parent, you’ll need a signed letter of consent from the parent who is not traveling.
On international flights, an American Airlines lap child is issued a ticket that allows them to check a bag at the same rate as their accompanying adult’s first checked bag.
Nursing mothers
Even if the baby isn’t traveling with a nursing mother, mothers can travel with a breast pump and a small soft-sided cooler to store their milk.
These items do not count toward the limits for carry-on luggage and personal items.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Many airports offer dedicated spaces for nursing mothers to have privacy before, in between and after their flights.
Pregnant travelers
If you’re traveling within four weeks of your due date, you’ll need to present a letter from your doctor stating that you’ve been recently examined and are fit to fly. The airline wants to avoid an emergency where the changes in cabin pressure, unexpected turbulence and other common situations cause you to go into labor midflight. This could cause the flight to divert from its course to get you and your baby immediate medical attention. Such a diversion would also affect the crew, other passengers and (possibly) continuing flights for the aircraft.
Diaper bags
The American Airlines baby policy limits travelers to one diaper bag per child.
Car seats
Traveling with a car seat provides a more familiar experience on the plane. It also enables parents to have a car seat for their rental car at their destination. The airline allows most car seats that are acceptable for use in motor vehicles. Each seat must have a solid back and seat with restraint straps installed to hold the child in place securely.
Children traveling with a car seat must be secured by its straps during taxi, takeoff and landing. Additionally, they must be in their seat when the “Fasten seat belt” light is on.
An eligible car seat indicates that it “conforms to all federal motor vehicle safety standards” or that it is “certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Children in car seats may not be seated in the exit row. Additionally, they cannot sit in the rows immediately in front of or behind the exit row.
Strollers
Parents traveling with a stroller can check it free of charge. Strollers weighing over 20 pounds must be checked at the ticket counter. Eligible strollers 20 pounds or less can be gate-checked before boarding.
🤓Nerdy Tip
If you’re traveling with a car seat and a stroller, only one of them can be checked at the gate.
Additional items
Some parents choose to travel with additional items for their children. These items are often used to keep children entertained, make it easier to transport them or keep them confined while resting. Items such as playpens, wagons, cribs and “pack and plays” count as regular bags against your checked baggage allowance. If they cause you to exceed your checked bag limits, you may incur additional fees.
The bottom line
The American Airlines infant policy provides clear guidelines to parents and guardians traveling with young children. These policies vary depending on the child’s age and also govern related items and situations you may encounter. A child under 2 years old can fly as a lap child or have their own seat.
However, once a child turns 2, you must purchase a seat for them on the flight. These rules are meant to protect children and ensure that you reach your destination safely.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
There seems to be an exorbitant number of young people posting all kinds of pictures and stories about their incredible (and expensive) travels online. And alongside that, most of us young people are struggling just to find affordable housing. So what gives? How is this generation of Americans both more broke than other generations, and also traveling so much? Well, we’re diving into some answers here, so keep reading!
1. It’s All on Credit
One user said, “I have a friend who takes 4 or 5 vacations annually. She and her husband are not wealthy by any means. I asked how they could possibly afford it (bc I was jealous), and she said it was all on credit. I stopped being jealous after that.”
It’s true: a lot of people use credit cards to travel and then make payments afterwards to catch up. Sure, you get cool experiences, but is it worth it to have standing debt that’s accruing interest at an exorbitant rate? Most of us would say no.
2. Debt and Nihilism
One Redditor shared, “Debt and nihilism. A lot of them kind of think the world is going down the crapper and their lives will only get worse from here on out, so might as well enjoy it.”
Another user replied, “Pretty much, honestly. I’m 26, a relatively s- job. Want to start a career, but that’ll require more school, which is fine. The [debt] will only set me back around a year, and I’ll make a bit more thereafter. Even after that, I won’t make enough to both afford a house and contribute a lot to retirement, though; I might as well get my money’s worth in life in my 20s and 30s while I’m still a beast physically (ski vacations, backpacking, running every event from 800 to ultras, hopefully after graduating more expensive stuff even like mountaineering, alpine touring).”
Ok, we understand this view a little better. It’s true, the world is changing rapidly and there’s a lot of joy to be found in traveling while you’re young, and strong enough to have the more intense adventures. But just proceed with caution, especially where credit cards are involved.
3. Rich Parents
“Rich parents,” one user posted.
Another user commented, “Definitely rich parents or running up credit card debt. I went to school for 8 years and ran up around 300k in [debt]. About a year or two after graduating, a classmate shared that he paid all of his student loans off. While I was funding everything with [debt], he was being heavily funded by his parents, so his [debt] was a fraction of what mine was, and he knocked it out fast.”
To be fair, if we had wealthy parents, we’d probably travel too. Probably the worst part about this one is that young people with wealthy parents are more often than not quite out of touch with the struggle middle-class people have to save up and travel. So, compassion might be the key here. That, and maybe keeping some of those gorgeous photos in a private chat instead of an Instagram feed.
4. Credit Cards
One user shared, “Credit cards are a [hecking] drug.”
Another user commented, “Yup I worked collections for too long, and I would see people barely make the minimum payment and then turn around and ask how much [they had] left to spend. Crazyyyyyyyyyyyy.”
One added, “When I was working in retail, I had an amicable ‘cash or card’ chat while ringing someone up when I said something like, ‘I’d just as soon use my card for everything and get the points.’
“The customer, 10+ years older than me and spending a couple hundred dollars, kind of scoffed and said, “Yeah, if you pay it off!”
“That’s not to knock anyone using credit cards to make ends meet. Still, it’s stuck with me because she was fully insinuating that it was unreasonable for anyone to pay off their balance reasonably regularly. Like, ma’am, are you sure you want to buy this dress?”
5. They Live With Their Parents
Generational living has been a feature of many cultures both across the glob and throughout history. In fact, Americans are more of an anomaly in this regard than we usually think. But taking the opportunity to live with your parents, especially if you have a healthy relationship with them, can set you up financially for more than just travel, although that’s certainly one motivation to practice generational living!
One Redditor commented, “They live with their parents.”
Another user replied, “My dad lived with his mom until he was 45. I live with my parents as well. No rent makes a huge difference.”
6. Hard Work or Rich Parents, Possibly Both
One Redditor added to the thread, “I work with a 24-year-old. After college, he got an entry-level job at our company (he was 22) and did really well. He probably makes $70K+, has a roommate and has no kids—plenty of extra money.
“My stepdaughter is 21, works part-time at a coffee shop, and her parents pay her rent, her tuition and most of her expenses. She also has plenty of extra money. So, either hard work or rich parents, possibly both.”
7. High-Income Jobs
While we’re in high school, most of us are told to follow our dreams. And it’s really life-changing to have a job you enjoy versus a job you tolerate or really dislike. But some of us have the talents and dreams that guide us towards higher paying jobs, and that’s a fact we all have to come to terms with. Somebody who loves math and dreams of engineering will probably make more than somebody who has a passion for children and teaching.
“Rich parents or high-income jobs,” one user stated.
Another Redditor replied, “High-income jobs really hit you differently when you don’t have any dependents too.”
8. Saving Up
“When I was a new grad, a bunch of my friends/acquaintances moved out and lived independently. Had the nicest clothes and went out to every event. I lived with my parents and saved. (Lucky enough that they didn’t need my help.)
“Well, I’m in my early 30s now. I have my own condo; it’s not the nicest car, but I’m happy with it. All my friends/acquaintances had to move back home because they couldn’t afford to live independently anymore.
“I don’t know their financial situation, but they always ask how I could afford it. My parents aren’t rich, but living with my parents after I graduated definitely is the reason I could eventually move out and buy my own place,” shared one online user.
9. Being an “Influencer”
It’s not a secret that much of what we see online, especially influencer content, is mostly illusion. There are private jets to rent as a photo set; you can go get your pictures and then fly a budget airline. All the appearance of being rich; none of the reality.
One user posted, “Where do you ‘see’ these people? Are these people you know or people you see on social media?
“Being an ‘influencer’ is a freelance entertainment job. These guys earn money by appearing to have perfect lives in every way. If they don’t provoke envy or aspiration, they aren’t making as much money as possible. Don’t let yourself be sold a bill of goods, okay? There’s a man, not a wizard, standing behind that curtain.”
10. Inheritance
Ok, it’s hard to fault people for inheriting money enough to travel. And some genuinely do. But that doesn’t make it any easier to follow along with their adventures while we work away in our offices.
One user posted, “Inheritance, trust fund babies, parents’ gifts.”
11. Work in a Tourist Attraction
Credit cards seem to be the biggest answer. Young people aren’t afraid of debt in the way many others are. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with putting trip expenses on a credit card if you know you can pay it off, there’s definitely a risk to traveling on credit too often. Your future self may not thank you.
One user shared, “I work in a tourist attraction. I’ve seen many 21-25-year-olds from the U.S. and other continents travelling here. A lot of them are in college! I’m the same age as them, and I wasn’t able to afford to go travelling or party while in college. Edit: I would like to note a majority of them are paying with credit too.”
12. There Are More Affordable Options if You Plan It Right
“Everyone else has covered the how, but I do want to mention how important it is to travel when you can. There’s no reason to make it lavish to get the benefit from it. There’s lots of more affordable options if you plan it right. Start with weekend road trips. I never left the country (USA) until I was 25, and now I’ve been to 16 countries (although some were for work trips). I try to take one proper vacation a year. Every other year, I do something more extravagant (that I have time to save up for), and the off years, I do something domestic.
“I think it’s the best gift you can give yourself to see how other people live and experience their culture. It expands your horizons and also helps you appreciate home,” one user added.
13. Making Money off Scams
One user shared, “A lot of people I’ve seen in their 20s are doing fraud. I don’t know in detail how they do it, but it’s something with CPNs and people’s social security. I’ve seen people with all these designer bags and designer clothes and going on all these trips. Yet they work in a warehouse or a low-paying job. They are, without a doubt, scamming. Also, I know a lot of women deal with men who are willing to spend money on them. I have friends who will get flown out by men they are dating. These men also seem to be doing illegal activities. Trust me, a lot of people out here are not living right. They are risking their freedom for a fake lavish lifestyle.”
14. Selling Themselves Online
One user commented that most likely, lots of influencers have switched to having paid subscribers to their accounts. And while it’s not exactly easy money for just anyone, a lot of people are succeeding at drawing in people who are willing to pay for their content. It takes a pretty high comfort level with posting yourself online for others’ viewing pleasure, but those who have the guts and the success will probably have the ability to travel on that money too.
15. They Know Someone Who Works for an Airline
“People give others gift cards and airline points and know people who work in airlines. So, if you know someone who works for an airline, you can [often] get a $100 guaranteed ticket for a flight. Or buddy pass is free! Also, work in an airline that gives you free seating when empty seats are available. Also, parents sell their homes to their kids for $80K, and the home value is $500K plus.
“They take out a second mortgage on the house to live it up in their 20’s and slowly roll into their 30s and, by 40’s, divorced and in Debt. Also, Credit card points from people to buy airline tickets and travel expenses. They also have their parents credit cards and order ride shares with accounts of their parents that have corporate accounts credit cards on them. Females are more likely to have Dad’s credit cards for emergencies and Guys more likely to have [Mommy’s] credit cards that stepdad or birth dad pays for. Also, they have credit card debt that they file Chapter 7 on, and parents most likely pay the vehicle/ rental payments. Now, they use their parents’ vehicles to make money doing rideshare/or gig work while their parents pay the rent/ and the vehicle they pay bills. Parents paid for the college! Things I have learned about from people doing rideshare and people I have met in life,” posted one user.
What do you think of the statements listed above? Share your thoughts down in the comments!
Source: Reddit.
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With most things in life, what’s “best” is inherently subjective and depends on each person’s needs and perspective. It’s no different with credit cards. Even a card with tons of great perks won’t be the right fit for everyone.
When we pick the best credit cards each year, sometimes old winners are surpassed by new cards with superior benefits. In other instances, our picks reflect the new priorities of the people most likely to use the cards.
The three new winners in 2024 reflect both types of changes. Here are the cards that won and why they earned our votes this year.
Category: Best balance transfer credit card
Why the Citi Simplicity® Card won: Basic math tells the tale of the Citi Simplicity® Card’s triumph over last year’s winner, BankAmericard® credit card. The Citi Simplicity® Card gives cardholders 21 months without interest on balance transfers compared with 18 billing cycles on the BankAmericard® credit card.
The balance transfer fee on both cards is 3%, the industry standard. Note, however, that the transfer fee on the Citi Simplicity® Card increases to 5% if the balance transfer is made after the first four months of account opening.
As an added bonus, the Citi Simplicity® Card doesn’t charge late fees. Other cards, including the BankAmericard® credit card, can charge as much as $40 for a single late payment.
Category: Best airline credit card
Why the United℠ Explorer Card won: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card had a long run as our top pick for airline credit card, and for good reason. Its perk of a free checked bag for you and up to eight (eight!) traveling companions each time you fly Delta is unmatched. Terms apply. But this year we named the United℠ Explorer Card as the 2024 winner by virtue of its credits and lounge access.
The United℠ Explorer Card offers up to a $100 credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, a nice perk that gets you through airport security faster. You can get a $100 statement credit with the Delta Gold, too — but you’ll have to spend a lofty $10,000 to qualify, and it’s only good toward a Delta flight.
United℠ Explorer Card holders also get two lounge passes a year, good for entry into any of the over 45 United Club lounges. For a mid-tier travel card, that’s a really luxurious benefit. By contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card eliminated the ability to access the lounge for a $29 fee (and other Delta cards will restrict lounge access in the future).
Category: Best credit card for college students
Why the Discover it® Student Chrome won: Yes, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has a higher rewards rate in some eligible spending categories than the Discover it® Student Chrome. The Discover card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter; 1% thereafter. The Capital One card earns 3% cash back on several popular spending categories, including dining and purchases at grocery stores, but it lacks some key benefits that appeal to many students. The Discover it® Student Chrome offers:
A waiver on the first late payment fee.
A breather on interest for new purchases. The card has the following promotional APR: 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months and 10.99% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 6 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-27.24% Variable APR. A break from interest, even for just a semester, can be a big help in financing major purchases like textbooks.
A potentially big sign-up bonus. The Discover it® Student Chrome has the same welcome offer found in any one of Discover’s nonstudent cards: INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. Say you spent $300 a month on your Student Chrome. Assuming a 1% cash back rate, you would come away with $72 by your account anniversary.
In our latest real estate tech entrepreneur interview, we’re speaking with Frank Barletta from UpTop.
Without further ado…
Who are you and what do you do?
I am the CEO and Co-Founder of UpTop, the first free end-to-end rental platform. We combine a rental listing search tool and a full property management software to streamline the way renters and landlords, owners and property managers work together for the entirety of the renting lifecycle.
I started UpTop after moving ten times in eight years and thought that there had to be a better way to fix the issues through the use of technology. My primary day-to-day responsibilities include leading sales, operations, and most importantly empowering my team to be successful and reach their goals.
Before starting UpTop, I gained extensive experience in the technology space, working for several firms heading their technology operations within the consulting, finance, media, and e-commerce spaces.
What problem does your product/service solve?
The rental process is broken. Prospective tenants have to search through websites, get trapped by fake listings, sending social security numbers over email, and deliver personal documents to landlords and owners. Today I can book a flight and rent a car on my phone, why can I not complete these tasks for renting?
After talking with property owners and managers, it was clear that software for the rental industry is expensive and requires system integrations, leading to operational issues and increased costs. Therefore, we created a one-stop shop where owners and managers can lease and operate their businesses efficiently from listing syndication to accounting reporting and everything in between. We do not charge owners or property managers to use the platform, which has enabled us to provide rental tech tools to owners and property managers of all sizes.
What are you most excited about right now?
I am most excited about the innovation that our team is producing and how we will be able to enhance the industry through technology by delivering actionable insights.
What’s next for you?
The next step for me would be to continue to help UpTop continuously grow and support my hardworking team in our expansion.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
I love the ocean. The work we do at UpTop is sustainable for the environment because of all the paper we are saving; however, there is more work to be done to save the ocean. Every day more and more beaches are being littered with plastic, and there is so much more we can do to help.
Thanks to Frank for sharing his story. If you’d like to connect, find him on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop me a line (drew @ geekestatelabs dot com).
With the winter break now finally behind us, it’s time to talk mortgage rates again.
Lately, they’ve been on the minds of anyone even remotely interested in buying a home.
Or selling a home for that matter, as that can affect home buyer demand as well.
The good news is most forecasts are calling for lower mortgage rates throughout 2024.
And now there’s another piece of favorable data from Fannie Mae regarding mortgage rates and consumer sentiment.
Survey-High 31% of Consumers Expect Mortgage Rates to Fall This Year
A report released by Fannie Mae this morning revealed that consumers are growing increasingly bullish on mortgage rates in 2024.
Their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI), which reflects both existing views and future expectations for the housing market, asks respondents which way mortgage rates will go.
In the latest survey, a record 31% said they believe mortgage rates will fall over the next 12 months.
While 31% may not sound like a lot, consider this share was around 16% in October, and just 4% in December 2021!
In other words, sentiment has shifted big time, with mortgage rate expectations doing a virtual 180.
Simply put, consumers no longer expect mortgage rates to rise, but rather see them drifting lower after peaking last fall.
This is important for the housing market, which suffered mightily in 2023 as transactions plummeted in the face of 8% mortgage rates.
But with the expectation that the worst is now behind us and a return to rates in the 5% range (or even 4% range) is possible, it could reinvigorate home sales.
Aside from boosting affordability, simply due to a lower monthly housing payment, it could get some prospective buyers off the fence if they believe better times lie ahead.
Granted, not everyone is convinced.
Nearly a Third Still Think Mortgage Rates Will Move Higher This Year
Despite consumer optimism on mortgage rates hitting a new survey-high, 31% of respondents remain unconvinced.
Yes, the same percentage that think they’ll go down also think they’ll go up.
So it’s a bit of a standoff at the moment, though this pessimistic group has shrunk considerably.
In the prior survey, 44% of respondents expected mortgage rates to increase. And this share hovered around 50% for much of 2023.
It appeared to peak at 60% in mid-2022 and has since steadily fallen. Again, this could signal that the worst is behind us regarding high mortgage rates.
But it doesn’t mean they’ll drop back to their record lows, or anywhere near it.
The remaining 36% of respondents believe rates will simply stay put where they are over the next 12 months.
At last glance, this means a 30-year fixed mortgage rate somewhere between 6.5% to 6.75%.
While it’s not necessarily a low rate, it’s not as bad as it once was. And that alone could be somewhat of a game changer.
Look for Mortgage Rates to Experience Volatility in 2024
As noted in my 2024 mortgage rate predictions post, I believe interest rates will experience a bumpy ride as the year plays out.
However, I do expect rates to trend significantly lower and end the year just below 6%.
These ups and downs aren’t unique to 2024, but things could be even more volatile than usual given the contentious presidential election on the horizon.
And an economy that continues to surprise us, making the Fed’s inflation flight a little more complicated than it appears.
While the Fed is still expected to cut its federal funds rate several times this year, which should lead to lower consumer mortgage rates, it likely won’t be linear.
There will be good months and bad months, and times when rates rise more than they fall. It will mostly depend on the data, whether it’s CPI or the jobs report.
And as always, curveballs like geopolitical events, or simply politics in general, could also play a major role.
2024 Home Price Expectations Worsening Despite Lower Interest Rates
Lastly, despite a big improvement in mortgage rate sentiment, home price expectations took a turn for the worse.
While it’s logical to believe that mortgage rates and home prices have an inverse relationship, the data doesn’t support it.
Home prices and mortgage rates can fall together, go up together (as they did in 2022 and 2023), or go in opposite directions.
But there’s no clear correlation and just because rates are expected to fall in 2024 doesn’t mean home prices will surge again.
In fact, more of the same consumers surveyed by Fannie Mae expect home prices to go down over the next 12 months.
Just 39% of consumers expect home prices to go up in 2024, while 24% expect prices to go down, and 36% expect them to stay the same.
This means the net share of consumers who believe home prices will go up fell two percentage points to 15%.
So there’s still a lot of uncertainty, despite some recent positive developments. But perhaps if mortgage rates continue to drift lower, sentiment will improve.
Of course, if rates fall due to a recession or similar economic strife, fewer will believe it’s a good time to buy a home.
Speaking of, a whopping 83% believe it’s a bad time to buy a home while only 17% believe it’s a good time to do so.
Frontier Airlines has over 100 aircraft in its fleet and operates flights throughout North America and the Caribbean.
As with any airline, there are no doubt times you’ll find yourself needing to be in touch wtih Frontier Airlines’ customer service — maybe you misspelled your name on your ticket or need to cancel a booking.
Let’s take a look at how to contact Frontier’s customer service agents, including the different methods you can use.
How do I reach Frontier Airlines customer service?
Frontier has a customer service page on its website where you can find all the information you need about contacting Frontier. This includes the ability to take care of any self-service options such as changing or canceling your flight.
🤓Nerdy Tip
If your Frontier Airlines reservations have been changed, canceled or disrupted due to no fault of your own, you’ll want to use Frontier’s dedicated page to manage your booking.
How to call Frontier Airlines customer service
In late 2022, the airline announced it was shutting down its customer service phone line, meaning there’s no longer a Frontier Airlines phone number you can call.
You’ll need to use one of the other methods listed in this article to contact the airline with any questions, comments or concerns.
Can you chat with Frontier Airlines?
Because there is no Frontier customer service number, you’ll need to start a chat in order to speak with a customer service representative.
You can chat with agents directly on the Frontier Airlines website, available 24/7.
If you have the messaging service app WhatsApp, you can choose to message the Frontier Airlines customer service number at 720-902-3969.
How to message Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines maintains other lines of communication if its chat options aren’t working for you. This includes social media handles at both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook.
Reaching out directly to Frontier Airlines customer service on the X platform can be done via the handle @FlyFrontier.
How to email Frontier Airlines
You can reach out to the company via its contact form rather than via email. You’ll be asked to provide your personal information, such as your email address, name, street address and phone number. There’s also a section where you can input the reason for your message.
Whom do I contact about my Frontier Miles loyalty account?
There is no specific page where you can contact someone about your account, though the aforementioned contact form does give this as an option to input the reason for your message.
Does Frontier give refunds for canceled flights?
The U.S. Department of Transportation requires all airlines that cancel a flight in the U.S. to give their passengers a refund, no matter the reason. This is the case for strikes, weather disruptions, aircraft maintenance and more.
Frontier is no exception — if the airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a complete refund.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Frontier will also give you a meal voucher or cash if your flight cancellation results in waiting three or more hours for a new flight.
How to find lost luggage on Frontier Airlines
If you’ve checked a bag and can’t find it at baggage claim, you’ll first need to find a Frontier representative to report the missing item. This must be done within four hours of arriving at your destination.
If you can’t find a Frontier representative, you have two additional options for reporting the loss:
Where do I offer feedback or send a complaint to Frontier Airlines?
If you have a complaint you want to share with the airline, you’ll need to use the Frontier complaint form.
Although this form differs from the standard contact form, you’ll go through the same process of entering your information and selecting the reason for your complaint from a drop-down menu.
Contacting Frontier Airlines customer service recapped
You can no longer reach Frontier customer service by phone, so you’ll need to use one of its digital options — chat, WhatsApp, the contact form or its social channels — if you want to speak with a representative.
For most questions or requests, you can use the self-service options available on Frontier’s website.
You can submit a form on the airline’s website with feedback, questions, lost baggage help, cancellation refund requests or complaints.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Whether you need to finish last-minute work tasks before a vacation or connect with loved ones after being away, you might be needing an in-flight Wi-Fi signal. However, if you’re flying Hawaiian Airlines to or from the Aloha State, you might be in for a surprise.
Here’s what you need to know about Hawaiian Airlines Wi-Fi and the airlines that offer coverage over the Pacific Ocean.
Does Hawaiian Airlines have Wi-Fi?
Unfortunately, Hawaiian Airlines planes aren’t equipped with Wi-Fi yet, and that includes transpacific and inter-island flights.
However, the carrier has struck a deal with Starlink to provide broadband wireless internet to flyers in the future.
Hawaiian Airlines is planning to equip its Airbus A330, Airbus A321 neo and Boeing 787-9 aircraft with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi run on a satellite network. Hawaiian Airlines internet service will be available on flights between the islands as well as long-distance flights to the mainland U.S., Asia and Oceania.
“When we launch with Starlink we will have the best connectivity experience available in the air,” Hawaiian Airlines CEO Peter Ingram said in 2022. “We waited until technology caught up with our high standards for guest experience, but it will be worth the wait. Our guests can look forward to fast, seamless and free Wi-Fi to complement our award-winning onboard Hawaiian hospitality.”
At this point, it’s unclear exactly when Starlink internet will be available aboard Hawaiian Airlines planes, but it’s supposed to happen sometime this year. Having said that, in-flight entertainment is available for passengers to stream on their personal device through a self-contained in-flight network.
How to stream in-flight entertainment from a personal device
Even though there’s no Hawaiian Airlines Wi-Fi, you still can stream in-flight entertainment to your personal device in two ways: a mobile app or an internet browser. You can watch new and classic films as well as TV shows on your phone, tablet or laptop.
Hawaiian Airlines app
Download the Hawaiian Airlines app to your mobile phone or tablet.
Once aboard, switch your phone to airplane mode and connect to the “Movies on HawaiianAir” network.
Open the Hawaiian Airlines app, select “More” and then “In-flight entertainment.”
Internet browser
Connect to the “Movies on Hawaiian” network.
Open your internet browser and type “www.hawaiianairlineswifi.com.”
Choose an option and watch.
Which airlines provide Wi-Fi on flights to Hawaii?
The islands of Hawaii are located about 2,400 miles from the mainland U.S., so it’s no wonder that the signal over the Pacific Ocean isn’t that strong.
Below are some of the airlines that offer Wi-Fi on flights to Hawaii. Still, when in doubt about investing in a Wi-Fi pass, ask a flight attendant whether the internet signal is reliable.
American Airlines
American Airlines offers satellite-based Wi-Fi on most aircraft in its fleet, meaning you might have luck getting coverage on your flight to the Aloha State. An in-flight Wi-Fi pass starts at $10 and goes up from there.
To check whether your specific flight offers Wi-Fi, you can check its status by entering the flight number and date of travel on this page.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines and T-Mobile have been rolling out free in-flight Wi-Fi to SkyMiles members, which is available on about 600 domestic aircraft as of last July.
Full availability on the global fleet is expected by the end of 2024. A pass costs $5 to $19 on aircraft that aren’t yet equipped with free Wi-Fi.
United Airlines
United Airlines has four in-flight internet providers: Gogo, Panasonic, Thales and Viasat. Aircraft equipped with Panasonic Wi-Fi provides the most coverage, which includes areas over the Pacific Ocean.
The following aircraft are equipped with Panasonic Wi-Fi:
United Aircraft with Panasonic Wi-Fi
Select Airbus 319.
Airbus 320.
Select Boeing 757-200.
Select Boeing 757-300.
Boeing 767-300ER.
Boeing 767-400ER.
Boeing 777-200.
Boeing 777-200ER.
Boeing 777-300ER.
Boeing 787-8
Boeing 787-9.
Boeing 787-10.
United Wi-Fi on domestic flights costs $8 or 800 miles for MileagePlus members and $10 for passengers who aren’t enrolled in its frequent flyer program.
Hawaiian Airlines Wi-Fi recapped
Although Hawaiian Airlines will be launching Starlink wireless service on its aircraft, it’s not available to passengers at the moment.
The only option you have for now is to connect to an in-flight entertainment network and stream content from your personal device. If you want to watch something else, we recommend downloading episodes of your favorite show to watch on the plane.
(Top photo courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines)
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for: