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Guatemalan Volcano Erupts, Kills 62 and Shuts Down Airport
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Guatemala's Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire) erupted on Sunday, killing at least 62 people as it spewed lava into the surrounding countryside and darkened the sky with thick clouds of ash.
The volcano, which is located in a rural region about 25 miles outside of the Central American country's capital, Guatemala City, sent clouds of smoke nearly six miles into the air.
Several people have been reported missing as the the lava gushes into residential areas, burning houses and roads at a temperature of up to 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit. Two children burned to death while watching the eruption from a nearby bridge, and at least four people died in a house that caught fire from the lava flow, according to the AP.
At least 3,000 people have been evacuated from the eruption zone — some residents were reportedly trapped by surrounding lava and unable to leave or receive help from first responders. Several people have also been reported missing.
The country's aviation officials closed the Guatemala City Airport (GUA) on Sunday because the thick plumes of ash posed significant risks to aircraft flying into the city of about 3 million. Military was called in to sweep ash from the airport's runway:
The airport was re-opened on Monday after the ash was cleared from the runways. But airport officials said it is up to each airline when to resume flights, the AP reports.
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Here is a roundup of the latest travel waivers from airlines that serve Guatemala City's airport:
American:
- Affected airports: Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
- Travel dates: June 3 - 5, 2018
- Can travel June 3 - 8, 2018
- Must have bought your ticket by: June 3, 2018
- Don't change your origin or destination city
- Rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference
Delta:
- Affected airports: Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
- Impacted travel dates: June 3-5, 2018
- Ticket must be reissued on or before: June 08, 2018
- Rebooked travel must begin no later than: June 08, 2018
- When rescheduled travel occurs beyond June 08, 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.
Spirit:
- Affected airports: Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
- Travel dates: June 3-5, 2018
- Modification Charge/Fare Difference waived through: June 8, 2018; After this date, the modification charge is waived, but a fare difference may apply.
United:
- Affected airports: Guatemala City, GT (GUA)
- Original travel dates: June 3, 2018 - June 4, 2018
- Flight changes: The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new United flights departing on or before June 7, 2018, as long as travel is rescheduled in the originally ticketed cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed.
*This post has been updated with the latest numbers in the volcano's death toll.
Featured image by AFP/Getty Images
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.