Vietnam races to prepare for Typhoon Wipha as Philippines suffers storm deaths
The typhoon is forecast to bring powerful winds and heavy rainfall, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides in northern Vietnam's mountainous areas and flooding in urban centers, including Hanoi.
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Forbes
8 hours ago
- Forbes
What You Should Know When Retiring Overseas With Your Pets
Relocating overseas with your pets. getty One of the questions I'm most frequently asked by people considering making a move overseas is: Can I bring my pet with me? The good news is that the answer is generally, yes, especially if your pet is a dog or cat. They can come along on your expat adventure, no problem, with some exceptions. If you're considering a move overseas and your pet is a key member of your family that you'd never imagine leaving behind, start your research into any country on your list by taking a look at the website for the country's embassy. This is the best source for confirming current requirements for importing animals into that country. These rules change. If a long while passes between when you begin your search and when you're ready to make your move, check the country's embassy's website again for updates. You don't want to show up in the arrivals' hall of your new home's international airport to be told that Fido must be indefinitely detained or, worse, shipped back because you don't have the proper paperwork. It's also important to note that some countries ban certain breeds, notably those deemed 'aggressive,' and some place restrictions on importing pets who have undergone procedures they don't allow like ear cropping or tail docking. If getting to your chosen destination involves taking a flight, you'll need to confirm several things with your carrier before purchasing tickets. Some airlines are more pet-friendly than others; all have rules about pet travel. The airline regulations can be more restrictive than those of many countries. You will need to check if your dog or cat is a permitted breed on board. Some airlines don't accept certain breeds in the cabin, in cargo, or in either. You are also usually restricted to one pet per person. Short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds that are prone to respiratory problems are at a higher risk of experiencing distress during a flight, and many airlines don't permit them on board at all. In addition, most airlines impose a maximum weight for dogs. As a general guide, cats and dogs weighing less than fifteen pounds can accompany you in the cabin. There are also weight, dimension, and container specifications for both cabin and cargo. Again, these change from time to time so make sure to double-check prior to confirming your booking. Another consideration is the season when you plan to travel. You might not be allowed to bring your pet during a time of year that's too hot or too cold, either in your departure or your arrival point. The no-fly periods can be a few weeks or a few months, depending on the destination. The next step is to ensure your pet's health requirements are in order. You'll need an international health certificate (in the United States it's APHIS Form 7001; in Canada it's the Canadian International Health Certificate) prepared by a vet accredited by the governmental entity for import and export of animals. In the United States that's the USDA; in Canada it's CIFA. This usually must be issued within ten days of travel. For some countries you will need to fill in another health certificate within ten days of your arrival at your destination and have it signed by a local veterinarian. Depending on the country, it may need to be translated. An import permit may also be required. Each part of this process incurs a small fee. Your pet will need a recent rabies vaccination and its corresponding documentation. Your dog's age comes into play, as puppies under three months cannot be vaccinated against rabies. If your dog is being vaccinated against rabies for the first time, they must receive the vaccination at least twenty-eight days before your trip. Most countries require your pet be microchipped, and some require you to fill out a home quarantine form. Again, a fee may be payable, likely in cash, in the local currency. In some destinations you may need to meet with a customs official or veterinary authority upon arrival. Check their business hours and try to co-ordinate your flight times to match up with them to avoid delays at the airport. If you manage the logistics on your own, the cost of relocating your pet with you isn't prohibitive. If your budget allows for it, though, consider working with a pet relocation service. While expensive—you're looking at around $5,000 per pet—enlisting this support takes the legwork, stress, and uncertainty out of the process. If you're looking to move more than one pet the price is typically less per additional pet. If driving to your new home is a possibility, consider it. This option will likely be easier on your pet and more affordable, but you will need to make sure your paperwork is precisely timed against your departure and arrival dates and factor in the importation regulations not only for your ultimate destination but also for any country you'll be traveling through. That's dogs and cats. Making a move with other animals can be more challenging. Birds require a lot of paperwork, and many are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Quarantine is typically required before or after travel. The rules vary country to country. Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits need not be vaccinated for rabies, but they do require health certificates and must meet other requirements, usually quarantine. If your pet is protected by CITES, you will need additional permits. Over one-hundred-and-eighty countries participate and enforce CITES regulations so it's important to pay attention to their rules. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Retire In Mauritius: Spots For A Vibrant Lifestyle From $1,400 A Month By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes The Balkan Country That Adores Americans By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Beat The Summer Heat In These 6 Cool-Weather Havens By Kathleen Peddicord
New York Times
a day ago
- New York Times
Why Even Basic Airline Seats Keep Getting More ‘Premium'
Basic economy once ruled the airplane. Aside from those few rows in the business class cabin, what most passengers got was a bare bones, bottom-rung experience. Now, even on budget airlines, premium seating is taking over. Wealthy leisure travelers have proven most resilient to economic turbulence. So airlines are finding new ways to profit from customers who are willing to pay for some perks. Sometimes that means turning previously included options, like a seat in the front half of the main cabin, into paid upgrades. It has also involved expanding the cabin between first class and coach, and introducing a torrent of small luxuries to justify higher fares in the not-quite-business class. For example: American Airlines introduced a Boeing 787-9 plane this summer with redesigned premium economy seats that have headrest wings for 'additional privacy,' water bottle storage, and calf and footrests. It has said it plans to expand its lie-flat and premium economy seating by 50 percent before the end of the decade. Delta expanded its premium economy service — which comes with amenities kits, meals and more legroom — to transcontinental flights last fall. Glen Hauenstein, the airline's president, said in the company's recent earnings call that it used segmentation of the main cabin (think fees for extra leg room) as 'the template that we're going to bring to all of our premium cabins over time.' United Airlines said in July that it would add more premium economy seats between business class and economy-plus seats on its wide-body jets. 'That's the cabin, I think, that is generating very good returns,' Andrew Nocella, the airline's chief commercial officer, said during the company's earnings call. Revenue growth in the premium cabin is outpacing the main cabin at all three carriers. As airlines add premium options, they have also made moves to further distinguish their top-tier tickets from other rungs. This summer, American Airlines debuted an aircraft with first-class suites that have privacy doors — a feature Delta already offered on some flights and that United will soon include in a new international business class that also comes with caviar service and designer pajamas. 'It's all about giving people more choice, more pricing options, and more products and services in every cabin,' Delta's Hauenstein said about expanding premium offerings on the earnings call. Meanwhile, basic fares are dropping. Airfares overall have decreased by 3.5 percent in the last year as inflation overall increased by 2.7 percent, according to the Department of Labor. Price drops at major airlines have caused a problem for budget airlines, which historically compete on price alone. Their response? You guessed it, also more perks. Spirit Airlines, once the largest ultra-low-cost airline in North America, emerged from bankruptcy protection this year with plans to rebrand as a premium airline. Southwest Airlines, which joined American and Delta in withdrawing its financial forecast for 2025, has created premium seats with more legroom on all flights. And even no-frills carrier Frontier Airlines is planning to debut 'first-class style' seats in late 2025. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Southwest Airlines credit cards have new annual fees — are these cards still worth it?
The Southwest credit cards were recently revamped to include higher annual fees and various updates to card benefits. It's never fun to hear about annual fee increases, which is why we wanted to take a look at the Southwest cards to see if they're still worth it for certain travelers. (Hint: They're still worth it for many Southwest loyalists, especially with the new Southwest bag policies.) Southwest credit cards With the recent Southwest credit card revamp, the three personal Southwest cards had their annual fees increased. However, Southwest cards may still be worth it if you want a free checked bag or one of the other card benefits, such as a 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points boost each year. Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit CardSouthwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit CardHow do you know if a Southwest credit card is worth it for you? The most straightforward way to calculate the value of a Southwest credit card is to explore its benefits and see if it can provide you with enough value to more than offset the annual fee. For example, look at the welcome offers and rewards rates on the different Southwest cards and see how much value you can get from them. Research the different benefits, such as getting a free checked bag, and see how they may align with your upcoming travel plans. Keep in mind that you may not get value from every card benefit. That's OK as long as you still receive enough value from other perks to offset the annual fee. Breaking down Southwest credit card benefits This isn't a complete list of every benefit available on Southwest credit cards, but it will give you an idea of how much value these cards can provide. Welcome offer Credit card sign-up bonuses are typically one of the best ways to offset annual fees, at least for the first year or two. For example, a welcome bonus of 50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards points is worth about $600, according to our Southwest points valuation. Rewards rate All three Southwest consumer credit cards provide elevated rewards on Southwest Airlines purchases and bonus points in a few other categories. You can earn valuable points on common expenses if the spending categories align with your everyday purchases. Related: Best rewards credit cards Free checked bag The Southwest cards provide a free first checked bag for you on Southwest flights. That's a potential savings of $35 on each one-way flight. If you were to take two round-trip flights in a year, you could save $140 on bag fees. In addition, this perk extends to up to eight other passengers on the same reservation, providing opportunities for even more savings. Seat selection Along with other changes, Southwest is ending its open seating policy, making the seat selection benefits on the Southwest cards all the more valuable. The best perk here is on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card, which lets you choose a complimentary Preferred seat when booking. This could be especially useful if flying on a basic fare with no seat selection benefits. Anniversary points Depending on the Southwest card, you'll receive 3,000 to 7,500 anniversary points each year. Using our valuation, those points are worth between $36 and $90, which is a simple way to help offset your annual fee. No foreign transaction fees You don't have to pay foreign transaction fees on the Southwest consumer cards, saving you about 3% on any foreign charges you make, including purchases in other countries. This benefit is generally only important if you plan to travel abroad. Related: Best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees Companion Pass qualifying points boost Each card provides 10,000 Companion Pass qualifying points each year. This is important for anyone trying to earn a Companion Pass, which is one of the best benefits Southwest offers. The Companion Pass essentially lets you add a free ticket (plus taxes and fees) to any Southwest flight. So, for the often low cost of paying the taxes and fees, you can travel with a friend or family member to any Southwest destination, including other countries. A-List tier qualifying points Two of the Southwest consumer cards offer A-List tier qualifying points for every $5,000 spent: Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier: Earn 1,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent. Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: Earn 2,500 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List status for every $5,000 spent. You need to fly 20 qualifying one-way flights or earn 35,000 tier qualifying points in a calendar year to earn A-List status. A-List status benefits include complimentary seat selection when available, priority boarding, a free checked bag, same-day standby, a dedicated A-List member phone line, and more. Southwest credit card pros and cons Pros Generous welcome offers Free checked bag Anniversary points Can help earn the Companion Pass No foreign transaction fees Cons Annual fees Best for frequent Southwest travelers No premium travel benefits Southwest credit cards are worth it for … Frequent Southwest travelers Southwest credit cards make the most sense if you: Frequently fly Southwest Enjoy flying Southwest Live near a Southwest airport hub, such as Dallas (DAL), Baltimore (BWI), or Denver (DEN) These cards don't make as much sense if you don't fly Southwest often or have limited opportunities to use the travel rewards and benefits. Anyone who can take advantage of the rewards and benefits There are always exceptions to the rule, meaning you can still get value from Southwest cards even if you don't fly Southwest often or don't live near a major Southwest hub. For example, if you have any upcoming trips planned where it may make sense to fly Southwest, it could be worth signing up for a Southwest card. Even if you only plan to fly Southwest a few times per year, having one of these cards could be worth it. Two round-trip flights for a family of four could easily cover the annual fee in savings on bag fees alone. Read more: Are travel credit cards worth it? Alternative cards to consider Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Why this is a good alternative: You miss out on all the specific Southwest benefits, like a free checked bag and anniversary points, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, but you can access more flexible rewards. You don't have to be a frequent Southwest traveler for the Sapphire Preferred to make sense; you can play the field with whatever airline makes sense for your trips. In addition, you can transfer your points to Southwest if it makes Sapphire Reserve® Why this is a good alternative: The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns the same flexible rewards as the Sapphire Preferred and has the same transfer partners, including Southwest Airlines. In addition, the Sapphire Reserve also provides multiple premium benefits, including airport lounge access and a $300 annual travel credit, that you won't find on the Southwest credit airline credit cards If Southwest doesn't make sense for your situation, consider other airline credit cards from carriers like United and Delta: The New United℠ Explorer Card: Provides a free checked bag and priority boarding privileges, as well as two one-time United Club passes each anniversary year. The New United Club℠ Card: Provides two free checked bags and a United Club membership. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Provides a free checked bag on Delta flights, a 15% discount on eligible Delta award flights, and priority boarding. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Provides a free checked bag on Delta flights, a 15% discount on eligible Delta award flights, priority boarding, an annual companion certificate, and at least 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion Year. Southwest credit cards FAQs How much is 50,000 points worth on a Southwest credit card? We value Southwest points at about 1.2 cents per point, which means 50,000 Rapid Rewards points would be worth about $600. What are the advantages of having a Southwest Airlines credit card? The main advantage of having a Southwest Airlines credit card is that you get a free checked bag on Southwest flights. Eligible cardholders and up to eight additional passengers on the same reservation receive their first checked bag for free. Considering it typically costs $35 for a checked bag, that's potentially a lot of savings on bag fees. Which credit card is best for Southwest Airlines? These are the best credit cards for Southwest Airlines: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best general travel card Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Best for a low annual fee Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Best for annual Southwest credit Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card: Best for frequent Southwest flyers What is the Southwest Companion Pass, and how do I get it? The Southwest Companion Pass is a benefit you can earn by flying 100 qualifying flights or earning 135,000 Companion Pass qualifying points in a year. The pass lets you add a friend or family member to your Southwest flight for free, plus the cost of any taxes or fees. One of the easiest ways to work toward earning the Southwest Companion Pass is to sign up for a Southwest credit card with a large welcome bonus. Earning the pass means you get it for the rest of the year in which you earned it and the entire next calendar year. Are the benefits of a Southwest credit card worth the annual fee? It depends on the card and how frequently you fly, but the benefit of getting a free checked bag could provide more than enough value to offset your annual fee. On most one-way fares, Southwest charges $35 for a checked bag. So, seven flights in a year could offset the fee on the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card, and you would need fewer flights for the other Southwest consumer cards. Related: Best credit cards with no annual fee Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to the Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
