Second earthquake hits Puerto Rico, JetBlue and Frontier issuing flight waivers
Editor's Note
Puerto Rico experienced another earthquake Saturday morning just days after experiencing one the most damaging quakes the island has seen. This time the quake measured in at a magnitude of 5.9, according to the US Geological Survey.
In response to this morning's quake, JetBlue and Frontier have issued flight waivers for passengers traveling to/through/from select airports.
Earlier this week, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook the southern coast of Puerto Rico. The United States Geological Survey warned locals to prepare for aftershocks for up to three weeks within a 155-mile radius of the original quake zone.
The Caribbean island experienced widespread power outages after local power plants initiated an automatic shutdown to protect the system. Local utility officials returned power to 95 percent of its three million residents affected just before the second quake hit.
Puerto Rico's governor, Wanda Vázquez Garced, declared a state of emergency on Jan. 7, although the island has not requested FEMA assistance as of the time of this post.
Tuesday morning's tremors were the second major series of earthquakes to strike Puerto in as many days; a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the same region on Monday morning, less than 24 hours prior. The earthquakes struck on the opposite side of the island from the San Juan airport (SJU), which was running on generators after losing power.
While Monday's earthquake did not cause any fatalities, the tremor was enough to bring down one of Puerto Rico's most iconic tourist attractions: Punta Ventana, a famous rock formation on the southern coastline of the island near the city of Guayanilla. The stone arch, which formed a natural window, crumbled — as did a church in Guayanilla's public plaza.
Glidden Lopez, a spokesperson for the Guayanilla municipality, told the Miami Herald that locals were taking the Punta Ventana loss very much to heart. One of the city's slogans calls Guayanilla, "the new window on the Caribbean," and Lopez said the name "was a reference to La Ventana."
"People are very worried about losing this natural treasure.”
Lopez posted a Facebook tribute to Playa Ventana on Monday, saying, “Playa Ventana has collapsed. Today our icon is nothing but a memory," as translated by the Miami Herald.
Is it still safe to travel to Puerto Rico?
As of now, all ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands remain open until further notice. The U.S. Coast Guard is monitoring earthquake and ongoing seismic activity off of Puerto Rico's south and southwest coasts. Travel waivers have been issued by the following airlines (click for individual details):
Frontier
Passengers traveling to/through.from the following cities between Jan. 10-13 can make one itinerary change fee-free so long as travel takes place no later than Jan. 27.
- San Juan (SJU)
JetBlue
Passengers traveling to/from the following cities between Jan. 11-13 can change or cancel flights fee-free so long as travel takes place no later than Jan. 13.
- Aguadilla (BQN)
- Ponce (PSE)
- San Juan (SJU)
Tourists who are already on the island should consult the Department of Homeland Security's guide to safely navigating earthquakes if you are in the affected zones. If you have trip protection or travel insurance, make sure to keep your receipts from current or planned travel; you'll need them in order to file a claim.
And if you want to help out with local relief efforts on the ground, you can make a donation to the Red Cross.
Additional reporting by Liz Hund.
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| 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. |
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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.