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Hurricane Maria Makes Landfall in Puerto Rico; Airlines Expand Travel Waivers
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Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on Wednesday morning, pummeling the island with Category 4 winds and rain. Images coming out of Puerto Rico and surrounding islands that have already been affected by the hurricane show the devastation left in its wake.
Now, Hurricane Maria is expected to continue its movement to the northwest before curving along the Atlantic coast of the US. According to the National Hurricane Center's 11:00am ET report on Wednesday, the forward speed of the storm is expected to slow through Friday morning because of interference by Puerto Rico's mountainous terrain. Currently, Maria is still a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 140mph.
As it stands now, the center of the storm will move offshore of the northern coast of Puerto Rico within the next couple of hours before passing offshore on the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic Wednesday night. Between Thursday night and Friday, Maria is expected to move near the Turks and Caicos Islands and southeastern Bahamas.
WEATHER WAIVERS
If you are traveling in the area, you can take advantage of travel waivers issued by many airlines, allowing you to change your travel plans. If you aren't yet there, these weather waivers will let you rebook your trip to avoid the area until the storm passes. For those in the area, you might want to book yourself on an earlier flight to get out before the storm reaches you.
Below is a map of all the airports affected by waivers:
If you are stuck due to the storm, airlines aren't going to be responsible for paying for your meals or hotels in the case of weather-related delays/cancellations. That's why we recommend paying for flights with cards have flight delay/cancellation insurance that can reimburse you for weather issues, including the Citi Prestige, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred. My Citi Prestige personally came in handy a few weeks ago when I got stuck in Japan due to a typhoon-related flight cancellation.
As of this writing, here are the available travel waivers for this storm:
American Airlines
- Travel dates: September 18-26
- Airports affected: Antigua, Antigua (ANU); Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI); Cap Haitien, Haiti (CAP); Fort de France, Martinique (FDF); Port Au Prince (PAP); Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (POP); Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ); San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU); Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI); Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ); St. Croix Island, U.S. Virgin Islands (STX); St. Kitts, Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKB); St. Lucia, Saint Lucia (UVF)
- Must have bought your ticket by September 18
- Rebook travel anytime between September 17-October 2
- You can't change your origin or destination city. Must rebook in same cabin or pay the difference.
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Caribbean Irma waivers
- Travel dates: September 5-October 31, 2017
- Airports affected: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (PLS); St. Thomas Island, US Virgin Islands (STT)
- Must have bought your ticket by September 18
- Rebook travel anytime between September 10-December 31, 2017
- You can't change your origin or destination city. Must rebook in same cabin or pay the difference.
- Travel dates: September 5-August 31, 2018
- Airports affected: St. Maarten, Saint Maarten (SXM)
- Must have bought your ticket by September 18, 2017
- Rebook travel anytime between September 10-September 30, 2018
- You can't change your origin or destination city. Must rebook in same cabin or pay the difference.
Delta
- Travel dates: September 19-26
- Airports affected: Punta Cana, DO (PUJ); Santiago, DS (STI); Santo Domingo, DO (SDQ); San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
- Rebooked travel must begin no later than: October 2
- When rescheduled travel occurs beyond October 2, 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 cannot 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.
Caribbean Irma waivers
- Travel dates: September 5-October 31
- Airports affected: St. Thomas, VI (STT) and Turks Caicos ISLS, TC (PLS)
- Rebooked travel must begin no later than: October 31, 2018
- When rescheduled travel occurs beyond October 31, 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 cannot 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.
- Travel dates: September 5-December 31
- Airports affected: St. Maarten SX (SXM)
- Rebooked travel must begin no later than: October 31, 2018
- When rescheduled travel occurs beyond October 31, 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 cannot 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.
Frontier
- Travel dates: September 18-22
- Airports affected: San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ)
- Must have bought your ticket by September 18
- Rebooked travel must be completed no later than October 29
- Origin and destination cities may be changed.
- One change available. Rules/restrictions regarding standard change fees, advance purchase, day or time applications, blackouts, and minimum or maximum stay requirements will be waived.
JetBlue
- Travel dates: September 19-23
- Airports affected: Aguadilla, PR (BQN); Antigua (ANU); Barbados (BGI); La Romana, DR (LRM); Ponce, PR (PSE); Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS); Puerto Plata, DR (POP); Punta Cana, DR (PUJ); San Juan, PR (SJU); Santiago, DR (STI); Santo Domino, DR (SDQ); St. Croix (STX); St. Lucia (UVF); St. Maarten (SXM); St. Thomas (STT)
- Must have bought your ticket by September 17
- Rebook travel anytime through September 30
- To rebook travel or request a refund online, click here. If you are already checked in for your flight, call [JetBlue] at 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) for assistance with rebooking or a credit.
- Note that the following airports still have Irma waivers available:
- St. Maarten (SXM) for travel through May 1, 2018
- Turks & Caicos (PLS) for travel through December 15
- St. Thomas (STT) for travel through January 15, 2018
- Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU) for travel through September 30
Southwest
- Travel dates: September 18-26
- Airports affected: San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) and and Punta Cana (PUJ)
- Customers who are holding reservations for flights departing during these 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 Southwest's accommodation procedures) without paying any additional charge.
Spirit Airlines
- Travel dates: September 18-20
- Airports affected: Aguadilla, PR (BQN) and San Juan, PR (SJU)
- Modification charge/fare difference waived through: September 30
- Customers can make changes to their reservations by going to the Manage Travel page or calling Spirit at 801-401-2222.
- Travel dates: September 19-21
- Airports affected: Port-au-Prince, HT (PAP); Santiago, DR (STI); Santo Domingo, DR (SDQ)
- Modification charge/fare difference waived through: September 27
- Customers can make changes to their reservations by going to the Manage Travel page or calling Spirit at 801-401-2222.
- Travel dates: September 5-October 31
- Airports affected: St. Maarten, SX (SXM) and St. Thomas, USVI (STT)
- Modification charge/fare difference waived through: November 15
- Customers can make changes to their reservations by going to the Manage Travel page or calling Spirit at 801-401-2222.
United
- Travel dates: September 18-30
- Airports affected: Aguadilla, PR, US (BQN); Providenciales, TC (PLS); Puerto Plata, DO (POP); Punta Cana, DO (PUJ); San Juan, PR, US (SJU); Santiago, DO (STI); Santo Domingo, DO (SDQ)
- The change fee and any difference in fare will be waived for new United flights departing between September 17-October 7, as long as travel is rescheduled in the originally ticketed cabin (any fare class) and between the same cities as originally ticketed.
- Note that the following airports still have Irma waivers available:
- Providenciales, TC (PLS); St. Thomas, VI (STT); St. Maarten, SX (SXM) for travel through October 31
- Antigua, AG (ANU) and Nassau, BS (NAS) for travel through September 30
Featured image by AFP/Getty Images
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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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.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.