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American Airlines Cancellation Policy + How to Get A Refund

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image credit: aa.com

If you’re like one of the many millions of Americans with ruined or changed travel plans this year, then you’ve likely cancelled, rescheduled and/or refunded a flight recently. And if you’re a regular American Airlines customer, then there are some policy changes you may want to keep up with.

American Airlines has made many changes to its cancellation policies recently, from creating COVID-specific travel updates and exceptions to replacing eVouchers with trip credits. So whether you want to cancel a trip entirely for a refund or reschedule later, you should know about your options when you need to change or cancel an American Airlines flight.

American Airlines Travel Waiver

If the reason that you need to change or cancel your upcoming flight has anything to do with coronavirus travel restrictions, chances are good that you are going to be affected by the new American Airlines cancellation policies.

The first of these is that change fees are waived for flights to any city served by American Airlines that meets certain conditions. These are: 

  • The ticket was purchased on or before September 30, 2020
  • The flight was scheduled to depart between March 1 and December 31, 2020

If both of the above statements are true of your ticket and your flight was booked through American Airlines rather than a third-party service, you are eligible to change or cancel your trip online at no additional cost.*

To change or cancel, simply log in to your American Airlines account and find your trip. If it is eligible to be changed or cancelled, you will have the option to select “Change Trip” or “Cancel Trip” from the toolbar. 

When you’re ready to rebook your trip, you can call Reservations at 800-433-7300 and easily do so. You will be asked to provide your ticket number, sent to you in an email when you cancelled, and six-character confirmation code or record locator. Reservations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

The other important cancellation policy update pertains to trips to, through, or from Beijing, China and Shanghai, China. Change fees are waived for any of these flights that meet the following conditions:

  • The ticket was purchased no later than June 30, 2020
  • The flight was scheduled to depart between January 24 and October 23, 2020

Further, you must confirm that you are able to travel between February 1 and December 31, 2020 and change your origin or destination to Tokyo Narita. This policy is current as of October 11, 2020 and the process for changing or canceling online and rebooking through Reservations is the same as stated above.

If you’d rather receive a refund for your ticket than re-book it, you can cancel your trip online and ask to be refunded for any segments of your trip that you have not flown.

*While there are no change fees charged for these flights at this time, you may be required to pay the difference if your rebooked flight costs more than your original flight.

Paid AA Tickets You Can Change or Cancel

The method that you used to pay for your flight will determine whether this travel waiver covers your ticket. 

All customers are eligible to cancel or change a flight within 24 hours of booking it without penalty.

Refundable Tickets

Refundable tickets are fully refundable. The travel voucher is not necessary for these tickets.

You may change or cancel a trip at any time before your flight with a refundable ticket at no additional cost. You will then be given the option to receive a refund or rebook for a later date.

Your refund may be issued in full to the original method of payment or to a travel voucher to be used on a future flight, if you prefer. 

Non-refundable Tickets

Non-refundable tickets can be changed or cancelled in advance of a flight, but this is costly. A fee of $200 is charged for cancelled/changed domestic non-refundable tickets and a fee of up to $750 is charged for cancelled/changed international non-refundable tickets. 

Basic Economy Tickets

You probably already knew this if you purchased a basic ticket, but cancelling a Basic Economy ticket is typically not permitted. However, the travel waiver currently in effect does cover this fare class.

If you need to cancel or change an existing Basic Economy ticket for a flight scheduled between March 1 and December 31 of 2020, you are eligible to do so at no additional cost (unless, again, the rebooked ticket comes in at a higher value). You are also allowed to change your departure city or destination city. 

Please keep in mind that Basic Economy tickets are only temporarily eligible for cancellation. This will not always be the case.

Award Tickets

Award tickets are also covered by the travel waiver mentioned above.

Typically, award tickets must be cancelled at least 60 days in advance to be eligible for fee waivers. Otherwise, your awards status will be used to determine what you will be charged, with the highest statuses offering the most flexibility and charging the lowest fees. 

For example, if you cancel between seven and 59 days before a flight and you are a Platinum member, you will need to pay $75. If you cancel within seven days and you are a Regular status member, you will need to pay $150. Those with Executive Platinum membership do not pay any fees, no matter when they cancel. See this page for the full fee chart.

Elite Status

Also worth noting is that American Airlines has lowered their elite status threshold for 2020, making it easier to qualify for Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum status.


GoldPlatinumPlatinum ProExecutive Platinum
Elite Qualifying Dollars$3,000
$1,500		$6,000
$4,000		$9,000
$6,000		$15,000
$9,000
Elite Qualifying Miles25,000
15,000		50,000
30,000		75,000
45,000		100,000
60,000
Elite Qualifying Segments30
15		60
30		90
45		120
60

These changes are in effect for all of 2020.

Tickets Purchased With Credit Card Points

Any ticket purchased using credit card points within the dates specified by the travel waiver can be canceled or changed at no additional cost. However, the same change fees apply to these tickets as any other.

That means that if you purchase a non-refundable ticket using credit card points, you will still be charged a change fee if you make changes to your flight. Likewise, if you make changes to a trip more than 60 days before scheduled departure and you have elite status, you will not be charged extra.

If you went through a third party site or application to book travel with points, you will likely need to go through that same site or application to change or cancel. And if you can’t do that, you’ll need to get in touch with your bank directly.

How to Change or Cancel Paid AA Tickets

To change or cancel an eligible American Airlines ticket that you’ve already paid for, log in to your AAdvantage account and find the trip. You can get to this through the Your Trips / Check In section of the homepage. Select the View/Change option beside this flight.

Now, indicate whether you would like to change or cancel your trip by selecting the corresponding option at the top and follow the instructions from there. Your rebooking and refund options will be presented.

How to Get a Refund When You Cancel

As you might expect, it’s not easy to get a refund for cancelled American Airlines flights that are non-refundable. One of the only situations that qualifies you for a full cash refund is when the airline itself cancels your flight or changes the schedule significantly. If American cancels a non-refundable flight, it will try to reschedule another trip for you. If a change is made to your original schedule that prevents you from being able to take your flight, you might be able to ask for a refund. 

For example, on March 21, 2020, the U.S. and Canada issued a travel restriction on all non-essential flights. At this time, many American Airlines passengers scheduled to fly at this time had their trips automatically cancelled by the airline and were eligible to receive their money back or reschedule at no cost.

Another way to receive a refund for your purchase is by proving that extenuating circumstances are preventing you from taking your flight. For example, if you or someone in your party becomes seriously ill before the flight or you are an active-duty military member unexpectedly relocated, you might be able to get your money back even on non-refundable tickets.

How to Avoid Change or Cancellation Fees

American Airlines has decided to waive change fees for qualifying First, Business, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin tickets issued starting August 31, 2020. Eligible destinations include the 50 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Typically, Basic Economy is not eligible for flight changes or cancellations unless an update is made within 24 hours of a trip being booked. But under the current travel waiver, Basic Economy flights can be altered and change and cancellation fees are waived. You may have until December 31, 2021 to fly.

There is also an exception in place for tickets set to expire between March 1 and December 31, 2020. You can use these to rebook a flight of the same value and travel between now and December 31, 2021.

Another way to avoid fees is to refrain from making same-day changes whenever possible. This costs most passengers, with the exception of those that have Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro status, $75. This is not refundable.

Using Trip Credits

American Airlines has recently replaced eVouchers with Trip Credits. These are given to customers that have cancelled a trip in place of cash, and they are automatically generated by American Airlines. If the airline has to cancel your trip for any reason, you will most likely receive Trip Credit as compensation worth the full value of the cancelled trip.

To use your credits, find the email that was sent to you automatically when you were issued Trip Credit after a cancellation. Then, call Reservations and ask to use your Trip Credit. An agent will ask for the 13-digit code at the top of your email and you will be able to specify the details of your desired trip. If you are combining multiple credits, have each of their numbers ready. If your Trip Credit is not enough to cover the cost of your rebooking, you will need to pay the difference via credit or debit card.

You may use up to eight Trip Credits per flight. The person a Trip Credit was issued to can use their credits to book travel for anyone under their name. Trip Credits typically expire one year after the issue date and can be used on flights only (no seat upgrades, in-flight extras, checked baggage fees, etc.).

There are three types of credits that American Airlines may issue for travel, and these include Flight Credit, Travel Vouchers, and Trip Credit. Flight Credit is issued to you after you have canceled a flight and valid for flights only. You may use only one Flight Credit per passenger and only the passenger whose name is on the credit is eligible to redeem said credit. Travel vouchers have been replaced by Trip Credits.

Final Thoughts

Although American Airlines’ cancellation policy is flexible for the majority of flyers right now, it won’t always be. Do yourself a favor and purchase tickets that qualify you for free or low-cost changes and cancellations whenever possible. While higher-level flight classes are more expensive, you might save serious money in times of uncertainty such as these by choosing these over Basic Economy. 

Also, see if you can manage to qualify for elite status. Consider an AAdvantage credit card if you’re loyal to this airline and use it often.

Chase Private Client Review – Are The Benefits Worth It?

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The Chase Private Client Welcome Kit was designed by AlyssaStrand. Image courtesy of AlyssaStrand.com

In 2020, banking is more sophisticated and nuanced than just putting money into an account for safe-keeping. And with so much at stake, you want to make sure that you’re partnering with the right bank to meet all of your financial goals and needs.

If you’re a Chase customer with considerable assets under your belt, you may be considering the Chase Private Client Program. This personalized membership offers countless member-exclusive benefits, including one-on-one time with various financial advisors, banking and lending perks, and discounts on loans and transactions.

Here is a detailed look at everything this elite club has to offer.

What Is the Chase Private Client Program?

The Chase Private Client Program (CPCP) is an invite-only program that offers countless exclusive benefits and services to its members. According to the bank, Private Clients enjoy a “personalized relationship” with Chase through which they receive access to only the best banking features and services offered.

From customized ​J.P. Morgan investing guidance​ to exclusive lending programs, there’s almost no end to the special treatment you’ll get as a Private Client. Other benefits include but are not limited to:

☎️Priority banking service (24/7 on-call access)
💳Member-only credit cards
🏠Loan discounts
👵🏻Extensive retirement and financial planning resources
💰Lower fees on most transactions (including those made abroad) and higher withdrawal and credit limits
🤵Access to dedicated lending advisors

Who Is Eligible for the Private Client Program?

Not just anyone can become a Private Client (PC) with Chase. This invitation is given only to Chase’s “best customers,” and you’ll either need to request a meeting with a Private Client banker to discuss your qualifications or wait around for a letter just to be invited. There are two ways to qualify for an upgrade to top-tier status with Chase:

Have a combined total of $250,000 or more between all of your Chase personal and business checking, savings, and investment accounts. This does not include online self-directed investment accounts with ​You Invest​ or retirement accounts.

Have a family member extend their Private Client membership to you. Though being a Private Client does not technically cost anything in membership fees, members not invited by a family member must maintain a daily average of $250,000 for continued status. Within 45 days of upgrading, Private Clients must disperse this sum across whichever qualifying accounts they choose.

For most, that’s quite a chunk of cash and not a lot of time. You’ll want to consider any opportunity loss you may incur from moving money out of another investment or savings vehicle to meet this $250,000 requirement. If you don’t have that kind of money lying around, you might find yourself selling shares of stock, pulling from a savings account that was accruing interest, and even missing out on countless investment opportunities you were consider pulling the trigger on – just to meet this target. You’ll have to decide for yourself if the program is worth the sacrifice.

The second way to hack your way into the CPCP is to become a joint account owner with another Chase Private Client that is an immediate family member. All adult members of a shared Private Client deposit account are awarded the privileges of a membership, whether each of them has $250,000 or not. This loophole is utilized by many Chase customers that would otherwise never qualify for elite status.

Benefits of the Chase Private Client Program

Several aspects of modern banking are changed for Chase members elevated to Private Client status—overall, the program has many strengths, but it also has many caveats. Chase works hard to keep its Private Clients, but be sure to read the fine print before you make any decisions.

A $2,000 Sign-Up Bonus That’s Hard to Beat

Current Chase customers upgrading to Private Client can collect a $2,000 cash bonus!

Current Chase customers opting to upgrade to Private Client status are provided a hefty reward.

From now until November 23, 2020, upgrading to Chase Private Client includes a lucrative welcome bonus of 💰$2,000 💰 after completing a few qualifying transactions.

Here’s how to qualify:

  1. Meet with a Private Client Banker to upgrade to Chase Private Client CheckingSM account and
  2. Within 45 calendar days, transfer a total of $250,000 or more in qualifying new money or securities to a combination of eligible accounts.

Eligible VS Ineligible Accounts:

–  Eligible Accounts: qualifying Chase personal checking accounts and savings accounts, as well as J.P. Morgan investment accounts. These must be opened in a Chase branch and serviced by a J.P. Morgan Private Client Advisor or Financial Advisor. 

–  Ineligible Accounts: Chase business checking and savings accounts, any You InvestSM accounts, any J.P. Morgan retirement accounts (such as Traditional and Roth IRAs, Keoghs, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k) plans); CDs; insurance products; fixed and variable annuities; J.P.Morgan Fund Accounts; 529 College Savings Plans; attorney trust accounts; client fund trust accounts; as well as Government or Non-Profit accounts.

Credit Cards and Rewards

Behold! These are Chase Bank’s most illustrious credit cards. Image courtesy of AlyssaStrand.com

The Private Client Program does not have any unique cards except for the debit card given to members; even the highest-rated Chase cards are available to all. Any Chase member can apply for the ​Chase Sapphire Reserve​ card, an elusive travel card that un​officially requires a credit score of 750 or higher​, and the ​Chase Sapphire Preferred​ card, which requires a 700 or higher.

Private Clients are more likely to have these cards, but their approval odds are only higher because they have more money and better credit to begin with. If a person is likely to qualify as a Private Client, they are also likely to qualify for the top cards. The CPCP does not guarantee credit card approval and card rewards and points are the same for everyone.

Unless you’re a long-time personal finance junkie, you’re probably not familiar with the Chase 5/24 rule. This quietly enforced “no more than 5 credit card accounts opened in the course of 24 months” rule includes ​all​ cards that contribute to a person’s credit (not just Chase), and it’s firm for everyone. That means that PC’s aren’t likely to get around this stipulation even though they are Chase’s “favorites.”

Convenient Banking

Members of the Chase Private Client Program never have to go long without getting help. Private Clients have access to a 24/7 exclusive Banking Services line ​(Domestic: 1-888-994-5626, International: 1-405-235-4847) to answer questions the moment they have them, no in-person appointment or hours on the hold required.

Members of this program also have a dedicated banker ready to help them navigate and make the most of their membership. There’s a lot to the private program, but clients don’t have to figure it out alone. ​In addition to these helplines, Private Clients are offered a number of banking benefits, including:

●  Higher daily ATM withdrawal limits (up to $2,000)

●  Higher daily purchase limits (up to $7,500 with Chase Private Client debit card)

●  Higher QuickDeposit and QuickPay limits ​($25,000 per day and $100,000 every 30 days and $5,000 per day and $40,000 every 30 days, respectively)

●  Rushed (free) card replacement

●  No Chase fees at non-Chase ATMs or on wire transfers

●  No monthly service fees on checking or savings accounts

Business Account Bonuses

Chase members with Private Client status that also use ​Chase for their business banking​ can count on a few special accommodations. Specialized business banking advisors are assigned to every Private Client business owner. These advisors can answer any of your questions and help you strategize your business spending so that you’re using your money as effectively as possible.

Private Clients do not pay any fees on electronic deposits to Platinum or Total Business Checking Accounts or service fees on these accounts. Even better, minimum balance requirements are lower for Private Client Platinum Business Checking accounts. If you’re wondering whether your business account funds can be used to qualify you to become a Private Client, the answer is yes.

Investment and Retirement Counseling

Rest easy with a dedicated investment advisor.

Members of the Chase Private Client Program get to partner up with dedicated J.P. Morgan investment advisors. Because J.P. Morgan is one of the biggest investment banking companies in the business, that means access to global expertise and vast market research. Clients meet with their advisors regularly to discuss immediate financial needs and market and economic trends as well as smart next moves.

Chase Private Client members also get help p​repairing for retirement​ in the form of a comprehensive 4-step plan. Through this plan, clients identify what they want to get out of retirement, evaluate their current financial situation, develop strategies for success, and assess their goal progression, all with the help of an investment professional.

However, there is a catch. Giving J.P. Morgan the reigns to manage your investment portfolio and offer advice isn’t free, even for Private Clients. An annual fee of 1.25%, billed quarterly, is charged for portfolio management services from J.P. Morgan. Many professional portfolio advisors, through firms like Vanguard and Personal Capital, charge less than this (the average is more in the 1% range). If users choose to use You Invest, a self-directed free trading platform, instead, their investment opportunities will be severely limited and their returns much lower.

Mortgage and Loan Advice

The stressful process of taking out a home mortgage or auto loan is made less stressful for Private Clients because these Chase members receive discounted rates on lending and top-notch personal loan advice. Through the Chase Private Client Mortgage Rate Program, members work with home lending advisors and other team members such as underwriters and processors to plan their home loans with big picture financial goals in mind.

When it’s time to take out a loan, Private Clients can expect up to 1.25% off the standard variable rate for a home equity line of credit and a 0.25% rate discount off standard auto loan rates with an additional 0.25% off of that when refinancing.

Privileges for the Whole Family

Benefits the whole family can enjoy!

While Chase Private Clients can extend their benefits to other members of their immediate family with whom they share accounts, the family privileges of this membership don’t stop there.

Parents might like the fact that they can set withdrawal and spending limits on authorized debit cards for use by their kids through the Private Client Program, but young adults can learn more about responsible banking themselves through ​Chase’s Student Banking Program​. However, these features are not exclusive to the CPCP.

Additional Benefits

There are a few final hidden perks to the Chase Private Client Program that shouldn’t be overlooked for those that enjoy skipping lines and being treated like a VIP. Chase Private Clients have access to annual member-exclusive events, early ticket purchase on select entertainment, and can even utilize their membership to gain special entry into certain institutions through the Chase Private Client Arts & Culture Program​ (though use of this perk is limited).

Does It Pay to Be a Chase Private Client?

The CPCP likely isn’t for anyone still improving their credit, new to investing, paying off large loans (other than perhaps home loans and mortgages), or just beginning to plan for retirement.

The Chase Private Client Program is best-suited for larger asset-holding Chase customers that favor convenience and may want a little help with big financial decisions but have already made some progress towards long-term financial goals. It’s also worth noting that not all Chase banks participate in this program, so this is very much a case by case offer.

As with anything, there are pros and cons. There are discounted loan rates, waived service fees, and member-exclusive events, but there’s also that massive $250,000 ​minimum ​account balance requirement.

Do you have experience being a Chase Private Client? Please share in the comments.

13 Tips for Sleeping Comfortably and Safely at the Airport

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Sleep safely and comfortably at any airport with these tips.

When you find yourself stuck at the airport overnight due to an unfortunate layover or sudden change of plans, the last thing you want to have to worry about is getting a good night’s sleep. That’s why it’s important that you be prepared for this possibility and have a few tricks in mind for making this uncomfortable experience as comfortable—and safe—as possible. 

Here are 13 things you can do to sleep safely and comfortably the next time you find yourself stuck at the airport for the night.

Pack a Sleep Kit

Get into the habit of taking a sleep kit with you every time you fly. You never know when a flight will be delayed or canceled last minute, and no one wants to have to go 24 hours without brushing their teeth.

Essential toiletries like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, and hairbrushes are likely already packed somewhere in your luggage, but it wouldn’t hurt to pack these separately so that they are easily accessible. Other items that might make you feel more at home—sound machines, eye masks, slippers, etc.—should also come along. 

A sleep kit is easy to throw together and can minimize the discomfort associated with staying in a new place unexpectedly. Sure, you won’t need to use it at the airport most of the time, but many of the items are probably coming with you on your trip anyway. Don’t pack anything that you wouldn’t typically use to sleep and you won’t need to worry about additional baggage fees.

Keep in mind that some airports provide complimentary toiletries and items such as shampoo and blankets, but you can’t always count on this. You can ask ahead of time before a flight or just play it safe and bring a sleep kit.

Try a Hotel or Sleep Pod

You could always stay in an airport hotel or sleep pod, but not all airports offer these conveniences, and using them is not cheap. However, if these are available to you and you don’t mind investing the extra cash into a night of uninterrupted rest, this is probably the most comfortable you’re going to get. Otherwise, try some of the other tips on this list.

Most nap rooms or sleep pods can be rented by the hour and typically run anywhere from $20 to $40 per hour. Rooms are often upwards of $150. Both of these are often in short supply when they can be found at airports, so get to them as quickly as possible because they are rented on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Sleep Near Your Gate

Sleep next to your gate and set an alarm prior to boarding.

If you’re stuck sleeping in the airport, you’re going to naturally want to look for a restful place to rest in a quiet corner with low foot traffic.

But although no one wants to get woken up all night by lights, other passengers, and staff members, it’s even worse to miss a flight. Don’t give in to the temptation to find somewhere isolated to doze off. Not only is this less safe due to decreased security, but it’s a good way to miss the flight you waited all night for when exhaustion sinks in and you oversleep.

If your flight was canceled or delayed for one reason or another, chances are good that other passengers on your plane are going to be in the same boat as you, and sticking around the people you’ll be traveling with lets you take cues from other passengers when it’s time to go. Benches and seats are obvious choices for comfortable sleep, but you’ll need to claim these fast or you’ll wind up roughing it on the floor.

Change into Cozy Clothes

Take advantage of your packed suitcase and get those sweatpants and hoodies out the moment you learn that you’ll be spending the night at the airport. Find the nearest restroom and change as soon as possible—wearing cozier clothing makes a world of difference in making you feel more at ease. Most people won’t even bat an eye at a tired-looking passenger in pajamas at the terminal.

Visit a Gym or Lounge

Depending on what airport you’re in, you might have access to a top-notch airport fitness center or swanky lounge with a shower. Such luxuries are complimentary with many first-class and business tickets, but any passenger can purchase a pass most of the time. For a relatively small fee, you can get a hot shower at the very least. Some lounges and fitness centers also have pools, saunas, and jacuzzis. You’ll feel almost normal once you’re clean.

Treat Yourself

Treat yourself to a relaxing experience to help you transition to sleep mode.

Treat yourself to anything that will relax you. This could be a manicure or pedicure, a facial at a nearby spa, a movie on your phone, or a comforting meal at one of the many food joints in the airport. Stress and tension are usually already high when flying, and they’re going to be made even higher when you’re inconvenienced by spending a night at the airport. Stick to your nightly routines as closely as possible and you’ll fall asleep much more easily.

Give yourself a break and do a little more for yourself than you normally would. Find somewhere comfortable to settle in and do your best to block out your surroundings. And when you wake up, whenever you wake up, celebrate with a fresh cup of coffee—or two.

Ask for a Cot

Not every situation warrants an airport hauling out the cots, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Often, airports reserve cots for times when large masses of passengers are stranded—perhaps by inclement weather causing many flight delays, federally mandated travel restrictions like what we’ve seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, etc.—, but you might be able to get one even if you just have a long layover. Use a courtesy phone or go to a counter to ask personnel for sleeping accommodations. These are almost always free of charge, but they are in limited supply.

Please note that courtesy cots are just one of many types of accommodations airports regularly provide to stranded travelers. Many airlines also offer hotel vouchers, meal tickets, complimentary shuttle rides, and other services and discounts to passengers whose flights have been delayed or canceled.

Sleep in Shifts

Those traveling in parties of two or more are at an advantage when it comes to sleeping at the airport because they can sleep in shifts. Take turns sleeping with the people in your party so that there is always someone keeping an eye on the group and their luggage. This will make you all less vulnerable to theft and ensure that at least one person is keeping track of the time. Use timers and alarms so that everyone is able to get a bit of shut-eye.

If you’re traveling alone, look for other passengers turning in for the night and set up camp near them. You don’t have to work out a shift sleeping deal with strangers, but solidarity never hurts.

Set Alarms

If your flight has been assigned a new departure time or you know exactly when your layover ends, set an alarm for an hour before this. This will give you time to gather your belongings and get yourself ready to board the flight. If your new flight time has not yet been announced or you’ve been told to stand by, you’re better off taking short naps and getting an update before going back to sleep than turning in for a full night’s rest. 

Again, if you’re traveling alone, sleep near your gate as close to other parties as is possible and comfortable. That way, if for some reason your alarm doesn’t wake you up or there is an unexpected change to the flight, you’ll be woken up when the other people on your plane start moving around and preparing to board. Alternatively, if you don’t have a smartphone or watch, write a note on a piece of paper stating when you would like to be woken up and airport staff or passersby are likely to help you out.

Sanitize Your Chosen Location

The bench you’re going to be calling a bed for the next several hours has seen thousands of passengers come and go. It doesn’t take long to wipe it all down with cleaner, and this extra precaution is well worth it. Ask the airport staff if you can borrow cleaning supplies or sanitize with hand sanitizer at the very least. You’ll be able to sleep more peacefully when you know your area is free of disease-carrying germs. In addition, avoid direct contact with public surfaces as much as possible (i.e. lay your jacket down on the floor or seat before laying on it). That shower mentioned earlier? Might not be a bad idea to squeeze it in after sleeping.

Sleep on Top of Your Stuff

A comfortable sweatshirt on top of a duffle bag can make a great pillow!

Airport theft is a very real problem, and keeping your valuables safe should be your number one concern when it comes time to sleep at an airport. If you don’t have the option of sleeping in shifts with others in your party and keeping watch over your luggage, you may just have to sleep on top of it. In this case and many others, it pays to travel light.

Many weary travelers use their soft-sided suitcases as pillows and it’s a good idea to keep your arm wrapped around the straps of the rest of your bags. That way, should someone try to take advantage of your compromised situation and swipe a bag, you will be roused awake before they can make off with your belongings.

Remember not to travel with too many valuable items if you can help it. Items that you would not be comfortable leaving unattended in a busy coffee shop while you run to the restroom might not need to come with you to a busy airport.

Store Your Luggage

Some airports can store your luggage—for a fee, of course. If you’re traveling with a lot of bags, traveling alone, or just don’t want to have to worry about keeping track of your stuff all night, it might be worth it to hand over a little extra money to store your luggage until your flight. Look for luggage lockers, and if your airport doesn’t have those, check with the lost or left luggage counter. They might be willing to keep an eye on your bags for a price.

Luggage lockers are surprisingly affordable most of the time. For example, LockerLink lockers by SmarteCarte—found at thousands of airports—are just $4 for the first hour and $1 for every hour after that. You can store your bags for a couple of days or a couple of hours, and you’re likely to sleep much better when you’re not worried about protecting your things. Even if you just rent a small locker for your wallet or purse, you’ll be glad you did.

Keep Your Boarding Pass Close

You may or may not have to answer for yourself if you’re woken up by a security guard.Many security guards let snoozing slide without so much as a second glance, but others take precautions against non-passengers sneaking in and will ask to see your boarding pass to confirm that you are a passenger if they see you sleeping. Rather than try to hide from security somewhere remote and risk being thrown out, keep your pass and identification close by so that you can get right back to sleep if interrupted.

If you travel a lot, it’s not a bad idea to research the different policies and practices in place for stranded travelers at the various airports you frequent. Some airlines are a lot more accommodating of overnight guests than others, and you could use this information to make decisions about where to fly. Airline sleepovers can either be painfully awkward or not that bad, and it pays to know ahead of time what will or will not be available to you when you have no choice but to sleep at the airport.

How to Reach a Live Person at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion

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Use our tables below to find the exact phone number you need for any of the 3 major credit bureaus.

Credit bureaus are agencies responsible for compiling credit information for each individual. This information, which includes every detail of a person’s credit history, is then sold to lending institutions and other creditors for use in making lending decisions. The bureaus look at many details of your borrowing and spending behavior to create a comprehensive credit report and credit score just for you.

Information that credit bureaus may collect includes your: 

  • Number and age of credit accounts
  • Bank account information
  • Credit limits
  • Revolving utilization
  • Credit card payment history
  • Rent payment history
  • Missed or late bill payments
  • Collections accounts
  • Public records such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, etc.

They also know personal information such as your address, place of work, and social security number. 

Today, there are three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Transunion. Equifax was founded in 1899, Experian in 1996, and Transunion in 1968. Bureaus were created to help creditors make informed decisions about loan and credit account applications—before they were created, lenders had to use their best judgment and there was a lot more risk involved. Credit bureaus also make credit decisions fairer for consumers by removing subjectivity from the decision-making process and preventing discrimination on the basis of race, gender, religion, etc.

The information collected from credit bureaus is provided to credit issuers, but credit bureaus themselves do not play any role in deciding whether or not you should be approved for a loan or credit account. Credit bureaus are private companies operating independently of financial institutions simply to provide information, including your credit report and score, to potential creditors. 

If you ever encounter issues with your credit report or need to update your account in any way, you will need to know how to get in touch with the credit bureaus. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it might seem. Fortunately, this article will offer helpful tips and phone numbers to call when you want to talk to a real person.

When Would You Need To Contact a Credit Bureau?

One of the main reasons a person might need to contact one or more credit bureaus is to report an issue on their credit report. There could be a small error on your report such as a spelling mistake or incorrect date or a much larger issue that could point to identity theft. For example, accounts showing up on your credit history that do not belong to you could be a red flag that someone has been using your name and information to open lines of credit. To correct an error, you will need to call whichever bureau’s report contains an error and might need to file a dispute.

Another common reason to get in touch with credit bureaus is to update your personal information. When a person gets married and wants to change their last name, for example, they need to update their account with all three credit bureaus and prove that their last name has been legally changed.

You can also call a credit bureau if you just have a question about your credit report. Looking over your report regularly is a good habit to get into and the best way to protect yourself from theft. Uncorrected issues on your report could prevent you from receiving loans in a timely manner or being approved for new lines of credit. You can get at least one free copy of your full credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus. Always take these when they are offered to you.

If you’ve ever tried to contact a credit bureau, you know how difficult it can be to get past the recordings to speak to a real representative. Here are the phone numbers to try when you want to bypass all the questions and get right down to business when contacting a credit bureau.

Speak to a Live Person at Equifax

Complete list of phone numbers for reaching a real person below.

People have had success reaching an Equifax representative more quickly over the phone in a couple of different ways. The best way is to call the number specifically dedicated to your issue. Equifax has many different lines.

If you already know exactly what you’re calling about, use that number from the table below before you use the general numbers. Otherwise, try both general numbers and you’re sure to reach a live person.

Equifax Phone Numbers

PhoneReason
888-202-4025 + ext. 6General
800-846-5279General
866-349-5191Request a copy of your credit report
866-640-2273Help with Equifax account and products
866-349-5191Credit Report Dispute
Representative: 800-525-6285
Automated service line: 888-836-6351		Place a fraud alert on your credit report
888-298-0045To place, pause, or lift a security freeze from your credit report
888-748-7878Questions about the 2017 Cybersecurity incident
888-567-8688Remove your name from mailing lists

Equifax customer service is generally available to take calls from 9 AM to 5 PM (EST) Monday through Friday. However, the automated service line dedicated to fraud alerts is available from 7:30 AM to 1:30 AM (EST) seven days a week. If you leave a message here, a representative will get back to you.

Equifax is also able to resolve some issues online. Log in to your Equifax account to file a dispute for something on your report, place or lift a security freeze, or place a fraud alert.

In 2017, Equifax experienced a massive data breach that resulted in the private records of millions of American, British, and Canadian users being leaked. Since then, Equifax makes information about the status of the resulting settlement available and will take any questions users might have about this incident.

Speak to a Live Person at Experian

Complete list of phone numbers for reaching a real person below.

Experian makes it easy to resolve many types of problems online and has an extensive FAQs section on their site, but sometimes you just want to talk to someone. Try these phone numbers when you need to talk to an Experian representative and don’t have all day to spend answering questions.

Experian Phone Numbers

PhoneReason
888-397-3742General
800-831-5614General
714-830-7000 + ext. 2General
888-397-3742Place a fraud alert on your credit report or receive identity theft guidance
479-343-6239Question about Experian membership
888-397-3742Request a copy of your credit report
714-830-7000Question about credit report
888-567-8688Opt out of prescreened offers

Experian customer support is standing by from 7 AM to 7 PM (CT) Monday through Friday. You can also email support and get in touch with a representative that way.

If you’re calling to dispute, Experian will likely request that you have a copy of your credit report in front of you for reference. There will be a number listed on this report that you can call to initiate a dispute. If you’ve received a credit report within the last 30 days, you will probably need to pay for another report.

Speak to a Live Person at TransUnion

Complete list of phone numbers for reaching a real person below.

Like the other bureaus, TransUnion offers plenty of ways to start disputes and ask questions other than calling customer support. Getting help over the phone is not so easy; however. Below are the number(s) to call to get your question(s) answered by a representative over the phone..

TransUnion Phone Numbers

PhoneReason
833-395-6938General
888-909-8872General
800-916-8800General
888-909-8872To place, pause, or lift a security freeze from your credit report
800-916-8800Credit report dispute
833-806-1626Tech support
800-680-7289Place a fraud alert on your credit report

TransUnion customer support phones are on from 8 AM to 11 PM (EST). The tech support lines are on from 8 AM to 9 PM (EST) Monday through Friday and 8 AM to 5 PM (EST) Saturday and Sunday.

This credit bureau also has social media accounts through Facebook and Twitter. The social media support team answers questions between 10 AM and 6 PM Monday through Friday (EST), so this could be a good way to avoid the phones altogether for less urgent concerns.

Again, make sure to have a copy of the credit report you are concerned about in front of you when calling to ask questions, dispute, or report fraud. During COVID-19, TransUnion is currently offering one free credit report per week to customers.

Final Thoughts

Depending on which bureau you need to report a problem with or have a question for, it might make more sense to resolve problems online through your account or via email than over the phone. However, each of the three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—has customer support that you can call with questions and concerns. And if you call the right number, your chances of speaking with an actual person are much higher. 

Having an account with the bureau you’re contacting and file numbers for the exact reports you’re calling about is another great way to expedite the whole process.

The Jet Blue Travel Bank Overview [A 2020 Guide]

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image credit: jetblue.com

JetBlue’s Travel Bank is an online account used to store travel credits. If you have been issued travel credits with JetBlue for one reason or another, you have your own personal Travel Bank account. You don’t need to be a TrueBlue loyalty member to have a Travel Bank account. 

This account is created automatically for you the first time you receive travel credits. If you have travel credits, you will need to know more about this “bank” account in order to cash in your credits before they expire and understand what they can be used for.

Below is a comprehensive guide on the JetBlue Travel Bank in 2020.

What is the JetBlue Travel Bank

A JetBlue Travel Bank account is where your travel credits go, which are issued when you cancel a flight, miss a flight, or are otherwise unable to use your flight ticket for when it was scheduled. Each flyer gets their own Travel Bank account with their own travel credits, even if they were originally traveling in a party. You will receive a Travel Bank account immediately after the first time you are issued credits.

Customers flying through JetBlue airlines may end up with travel credits for any number of reasons.

You can get them for:

  • canceling a nonrefundable flight within 24 hours of the departure time,
  • canceling a refundable flight at any time,
  • not showing up for your flight, or
  • missing your flight (for refundable fare).

Please note that travel credits will likely not be equal to the full cost of your ticket after cancellation fees are applied and that you forfeit the full amount of your ticket for nonrefundable tickets that you do not cancel or change before your flight’s departure. 

This is how customers receive travel credits when they need to cancel or change a flight, but you can also get travel credits if JetBlue needs to cancel or change your flight (this has happened many times this year as travel restrictions have been put in place due to the pandemic).

If your flight is canceled by JetBlue, you may choose to either take the next available flight to your destination, receive a refund in the form of travel credit, or receive a full refund issued to the original payment method. 

If your flight is changed by JetBlue, you may choose to cancel and receive a refund in the form of the original payment method or travel credit if it’s changed within more than 2 hours of the departure time, cancel and receive a travel credit refund if it’s changed within less than 2 hours but more than 1 hour of the departure time, or travel on the next available flight at no additional charge. If your flight is changed in less than 60 minutes from the time it was set to depart, you are not eligible for a refund or to travel on the next available flight without incurring typical change fees.

Who is the JetBlue Travel Bank For

Travel Bank is for anyone with JetBlue travel credits. You don’t need to open an account for yourself once you have credits—JetBlue will do that for you.

Travel credits are not to be confused with JetBlue Vacation travel credits, which are eligible to be used for any part of a Vacations package. This may include travel fare, hotel bookings, or VIP experiences. These credits are issued when a Vacations package is canceled or changed. Travel credits, on the other hand, are issued when a flight is canceled, changed, or missed and are only eligible to be used on future airfare.

Unfortunately for many, travel credits are issued per flyer rather than per party. This can quickly make things complicated as JetBlue allows only one Travel Bank to be used on each reservation. So if, for example, you’re flying in a party of four and all receive travel credit for canceling your flight, you will be able to use only one person’s travel credit when rebooking if you still wish to remain in your party. This policy is strict but JetBlue can help you to book everyone in your party separately within the same reservation if you give their help desk a call at 1-800-538-2583.

How Do I Access My JetBlue Travel Bank

Use the username and password provided by JetBlue via 2 separate emails to access your account.

From this login screen, use the username and password provided to you via two separate emails sent when you initially received travel credits to access your account for the first time. Once you’re in, you’ll be able to see the balance and expiration date of each travel credit. Hold onto this login information for future use as this is how you will access your Travel Bank each time (if you don’t have a TrueBlue account).

If you have a TrueBlue account, the loyalty rewards program through JetBlue airlines, you can access your Travel Bank account through this. Just use your regular email and password combo to login and navigate to the Travel Bank section by clicking the dropdown menu next to your name on the dashboard and selecting “Travel Bank.”

Can I Transfer My JetBlue Travel Bank

Travel Bank accounts are non-transferable, but you may choose to use the credits in your Travel Bank to book flights for someone else. The name on a booking does not need to match the name on the Travel Bank account, but only the person for which travel credits were issued may book travel with said credits.

How Long do the Travel Credits Last

The deadline to use travel credits is typically 12 months after disbursal. They are valid for one year after the date they are issued, which is usually immediately upon cancellation, and you are able to see the expiration date for each credit through your Travel Bank account. As mentioned, credits will be put toward reservation costs in order of which ones are nearest their expiration dates.

One nice thing to be aware of when it comes to the expiration is that you do not need to actually travel before credits expire in order to travel on credit. As long as you book a reservation with credits that are still valid, you can fly at any time after the credits were set to expire. Something to be cautious about, however, is canceling flights booked with travel credit. This can be done, but your credits’ expiration dates will not reset—they will expire when they were originally set to expire.

COVID-19 Updates and Extensions

Due to travel complications caused by COVID-19, JetBlue has extended the deadline for credits issued during certain time periods.

Here’s what that looks like:

  • Travel credits formerly scheduled for expiration between February 27, 2020, and June 30, 2020, are now valid until December 31, 2020.
  • Travel credits issued between the dates February 27, 2020, and June 30, 2020, are now valid for 24 months from the date of issuance.
  • All other credits, those issued after June 30, 2020, are subject to the typical 12-month expiration period policy.

Keep an eye on how the coronavirus situation continues to evolve to be sure how long your travel credits will stay valid.

Final Thoughts

Overall, JetBlue’s Travel Bank is fairly user-friendly, but it has its limitations. The biggest of these is the fact that credits are issued per individual rather than per party, rendering them inconvenient when rebooking travel for more than one person. Otherwise, however, this Bank is straightforward to access and navigate and the travel credits are fairly typical.

If you’re turned off by the idea of Travel Bank of JetBlue’s travel credit program in general, try to avoid missing flights or canceling if at all possible and don’t choose credits over refunds or flights.

Guide to United Airlines Electronic Travel Certificates [2020: Post COVID-19 Update]

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image credit: united.com

An electronic travel certificate with United Airlines can be used to book trips on most United flights. These certificates, which can be easily redeemed for flights and/or preferred seating, can be a great way to save money.

Issued when a flight is canceled, these vouchers do not cost anything to you and are worth the full price of a canceled ticket.

So how do you get them, how do they work, and are they worth having? Find out below.

What is United’s Electronic Travel Certificate?

A United electronic travel certificate can be used to purchase tickets for United flights, United Express flights, and flights through other airlines that are United Express-branded. However, these certificates are not redeemable for flights on airlines within the Star Alliance network or United-branded flights elsewhere. These certificates are not the same as award tickets.

In addition to select flight tickets, these certificates can be used to purchase upgrades such as Economy Plus seating, Basic Economy seating, and preferred seating.

Travel certificates are valid for two years after issuance and go into effect immediately after a flight is canceled. They are offered as an alternative to rebooking and paying a change fee to customers that need to cancel their flight. You can apply the full value of your canceled flight to one of these certificates and use it to purchase any qualifying flight even if it is for a different reservation. 

Electronic travel certificates are issued by United for situations such as irregular operations, customer goodwill, fare difference during a ticket exchange, and instances of denied boarding. They are also offered as an option to passengers that voluntarily cancel a flight, but not all canceled flights are eligible to receive full refunds in the form of electronic travel certificates (certain payment types such as credit card points, for example, may not qualify). In some cases, you may only be offered future flight credit.

Electronic Travel Certificate vs Future Flight Credit: Which is Better?

Electronic travel certificates and future flight credit are often compared to each other because they are very similar: they are both issued when a flight is canceled and can both be used to book flights. But which is better?

That depends. Travel certificates have the advantage of being more flexible with time and future flight credit has the advantage of being more flexible with flight options; certificates have residual value and FFC does not. Basically, which is better comes down to when and how you’re most likely to use your credit to fly. Here’s a breakdown of how the two compare.

Both: 

  • Allow you to change travel dates and/or cities
  • Let you book United or United Express
  • Are eligible to earn miles

Electronic travel certificates:

  • Can be used to book new travel
  • Do not place restrictions on the travel-by date
  • Do not carry rules and restrictions from the original ticket
  • Can be used to book multiple flights
  • Can be used to book travel for someone else
  • *May maintain United card benefits such as priority boarding and free checked baggage. Learn more about United’s baggage policy in 2020.

Future flight credit:

  • Can be used to book flights on partner airlines
  • Maintains United card benefits such as priority boarding and free checked baggage

If you’re a United Chase cardholder, you’re going to want to read this closely. When you use your United card to pay for a ticket and end up canceling that flight in exchange for flight credit, your card benefits will carry over when you rebook. But if you receive a travel certificate instead and the cost of your new flight is less than the value of your certificate, your benefits will not transfer. If, on the other hand, the cost of the flight exceeds the value of your certificate and you pay the difference with your card, you’ll get those perks. If you have a United Explorer, Club, Presidential Plus, United Business, or United Club Business card, one of those perks will include either one or two free checked bags.

Another major difference between the two is that certificates are typically valid for twice as long. Normally, future flight credit expires within 12 months of issuance while electronic travel certificates take 24 months to expire. With that said, future flight credit issued between May 1 of 2019 and March 31 of 2020 gives passengers 24 months to rebook. Please note that the certificate expiration policy has been recently extended and used to be just 12 months. This is subject to change again but unlikely to do so in the near future.

One major benefit of travel certificates is that they can be put toward more than one flight. If you book a flight with your certificate that is valued at less than the value of your certificate and still have credit left over, the extra will remain in your account for use on your next purchase until the full value of the certificate has been used or the certificate expires—whichever happens first. 

So as you can see, electronic travel certificates beat future flight credit in many ways because they are generally more flexible. They usually have a longer expiration period and fewer booking restrictions. But if you need the option of traveling through a United partner airline and/or you want to be able to use your United credit card perks with a flight that costs less than your voucher is worth, future flight credit might be the better choice for you.

How To Use or Redeem a United Electronic Travel Certificate

To redeem your United electronic travel certificate, visit united.com and select Deals & Offers navigate to Promotional certificates, then enter the code or PIN on your certificate. This will tell you how much is left on your credit and how long you have until it expires. You do not need to pay anything when you redeem your certificate to book travel online except for service fees associated with any flight. But if you redeem over the phone, you’ll be charged a small redemption fee.

Travel certificates, which are always issued in USD, do not have monetary value and may not be sold, transferred, or redeemed for cash. Trying to sell or trade a certificate will result in said certificate automatically becoming invalid, even for the original recipient. But if you do intend to use a certificate to purchase a ticket for a flyer other than yourself, which is permissible, you’ll need to make sure to do this from your own account and know that the certificate can only be redeemed by you. United will require identification at the time of purchase and your last name will be linked to the ticket.

Travel certificates may not be used in conjunction with MileagePlus awards, PlusPoints upgrades, or prepaid tickets and are not valid when redeemed through a travel agency. Service charges and fees may not be paid for with certificates—you will need to pay these with a card at the time of purchase and check-in. You may combine up to ten separate certificates as long as they are all valid.

Current Status of United Electronic Travel Certificates From United

Due to current and past travel restrictions put in place in accordance with COVID-19 safety regulations, United electronic travel certificates are now valid for 24 months from the date they are issued. They take effect immediately after you cancel a flight and select this option. Your certificate will be automatically sent to your email.

Lately, there has been some debate about whether travel certificates are actually a good alternative to just rebooking a flight like normal. This is because recently and temporarily, United has loosened up its flight change policy by allowing passengers to rebook without incurring a typical change fee of $200. However, this will result in you forfeiting some of the value of your original ticket if you opt for a flight that is priced lower than what you first paid. 

Remember that travel certificates maintain the full value of your original ticket and can be used on more than one flight. So even with this flexibility in mind, electronic travel certificates are probably the way to go if you intend to fly through United or United Express in the next two years.

Final Thoughts

These electronic travel certificates are just another way that flyers can stretch their money and save when traveling. Electronic travel certificates come out on top when compared to future flight credit in many instances and are the logical choice over a traditional flight change. Across the board, these certificates are generally going to save you more than rebooking and the pesky change fees that come with that, but if you can wait to see if United will cancel your flight—in which case they are required to issue a full refund—or make changes to it, do that.