Airlines Waive Change Fees as California Wildfires Spread
Three simultaneous and powerful wildfires have been ripping through California since Thursday. The combined death toll from the blazes ravaging the state has risen to at least 31, officials said Monday.
In the state's northern region, the so-called "Camp Fire" has destroyed at least 6,700 structures, most of them homes, according to CBS News. That fire, said to be the most destructive in California's history, is based mainly in the town of Paradise. Authorities said 200 people from the town were still unaccounted for. The "Camp Fire" current death toll — 29 perished — matches the state's record for most deaths in a wildfire.
In Southern California, the "Woolsey Fire" and "Hill Fire" have burned through nearly 90,000 acres and have caused the evacuation of more than 250,000 people. At least two people have died in the fires as they rip through houses in Malibu, Calabasas and neighboring cities.
Hotels in Southern California have been closing their doors to travelers while the blazes tear through the region. The Four Season in Westlake Village, Homewood Suites in Agoura Hills, Sheraton Agoura Hills and the Hyatt Regency Westlake have all reportedly shut down.
The fires are also interrupting air travel across the state, as the smoke creates reduced visibility for airlines flying into airports up and down California. Several major US airlines have waived change fees for flights to, from or through several airports in California due to the multiple wildfires. Below is a roundup of the airlines' travel waivers:
United
Affected airports:
- Burbank, CA (BUR)
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
- San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Travel dates: Nov. 9 - Nov. 13, 2018
The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new United flights departing on or before Nov. 18, 2018, as long as travel is rescheduled in the originally ticketed cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed.
American
Affected airports:
- Burbank, California (BUR)
- Los Angeles, California (LAX)
- Oakland, California (OAK)
- Sacramento, California (SMF)
- San Francisco, California (SFO)
Travel dates: Nov. 10 - 13, 2018
The change fee may be waived if you:
- Are traveling on an American Airlines flight
- Bought your ticket by Nov. 10, 2018
- Are scheduled to travel Nov. 10 - 13, 2018
- Can travel Nov. 10 - 18, 2018
- Don't change your origin or destination city
- Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference
Delta
Affected airports:
- Burbank, California (BUR)
- Los Angeles, California (LAX)
- Oakland, California (OAK)
- San Francisco, California (SFO)
Travel dates: Nov. 12 - 13, 2018
Ticket must be issued on or before: Nov. 18, 2018
Rebooked travel must begin no later than: Nov. 18, 2018
When rescheduled travel occurs beyond Nov. 18, 2018, the change fee will be waived. However, a difference in fare may apply. Final travel must be completed by end of ticket validity, one year from date of original issue. If travel is not able to be rescheduled within these guidelines, customers may cancel their reservation and apply any unused value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket for a period of one year from the original ticket issuance. Applicable change fee and fare difference will apply for new travel dates. Final travel must be completed by end of ticket validity.
JetBlue
Affected airports:
- Burbank, CA (BUR)
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
- Oakland, CA (OAK)
- Sacramento, CA (SMF)
- San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Travel dates: Nov. 10 - Nov. 13, 2018
Customers may rebook their flights for travel through Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, online in the ‘Manage Flights’ section of jetblue.com or by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) prior to the departure time of their originally scheduled flight. Customers with cancelled flights may also opt for a refund to the original form of payment. Original travel must have been booked on or before Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018.
Southwest
Affected airports:
- Burbank (BUR)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Oakland (OAK)
- Sacramento (SMF)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- San Jose (SJC)
Travel dates: Nov. 9 - Nov. 13, 2018
Customers who are holding reservations on the above-mentioned dates, and want to alter their travel plans may rebook in the original class of service or travel standby (within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs and in accordance with our accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.