General

Ultimate Guide to Big Travel With AMEX Membership Rewards Points: Part 3 – Best Ways to Fly Within Continental US

Published

4 months ago

February 18, 2023

Samara Ben

Ultimate Guide to Big Travel With AMEX Membership Rewards Points: Part 3 – Best Ways to Fly Within Continental US

January 11, 2017 By Meghan Hunter

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.

You get lots of travel flexibility with AMEX Membership Rewards points. Because if you don’t have set travel plans for a future trip, these transferable points give you the option to choose from multiple airline and hotel partners when the time comes.

Folks in the miles & points hobby know earning transferable points, like AMEX Membership Rewards points, are the best way to get Big Travel. This can mean a First Class adventure around-the-world, a family trip to Europe, or so many other options! And it’s easy to earn AMEX Membership Rewards points from some of the best American Express cards.

The AMEX Membership Rewards points program has many direct airline and hotel partners. Plus, you’ll get access to other indirect partners as well! So you’ll have lots of choices when planning flights within the continental US.

Or you can keep it simple and use AMEX Pay With Points to book flights through the Membership Rewards travel portal and get a fixed amount per point.

I’ll show you the best ways to use American Express Membership Rewards Points for US Flights!

The Ultimate Guide to American Express Membership Rewards Points:

Part 1 – Transfer Partners

Part 2 – How to Transfer Points
Part 3 – Best Ways to Fly Within Continental US
Part 4 – Best Ways to Fly to Hawaii

Part 5 – Best Ways to Fly to Canada & Alaska
Part 6 – Best Ways to Fly to Caribbean & Mexico
Part 7 – Best Ways to Fly to Europe

American Express Membership Rewards Points for US Flights

In a moment, I’ll share a few airlines that are great for flights within the US that you can book using AMEX Membership Rewards points. Even though the airlines might not be direct AMEX transfer partners, you can still book award flights thanks to alliances and partnerships.

The best transfer partner will depend on:

Available award seats

Which airlines fly from your home airport
Your airline & alliance preferences
Where you want to travel

If you don’t have the time or don’t want to book your own award tickets, you can consider using an award booking service.

1. Delta

Delta is the only direct AMEX airline transfer partner based in the continental US with a 1:1 transfer ratio. This means selecting Delta is the simplest way to book award flights within the US.

It’s Easy to Transfer AMEX Membership Rewards Points to Delta to Book Award Flights Within the US

But this does NOT mean it’s the cheapest!

You’ll have to pay an excise fee to transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to Delta because it’s a US airline.

And Delta no longer publishes an award chart! This means you’ll need to search specific routes and dates to find the price of an award ticket.

But Delta offers many non-stop award flights from their hub cities:

Atlanta
Boston
Cincinnati

Detroit
Los Angeles
Minneapolis

New York
Salt Lake City
Seattle

Other cities like Houston, Newark, and San Francisco also have non-stop award flight options.

Generally, the cheapest one-way US award flights you can find in coach cost:

5,500 Delta miles for short-haul flights (i.e. Los Angeles to San Francisco)

10,000 Delta miles for medium-haul flights (i.e. New York to Atlanta)
12,500 Delta miles for long-haul flights (i.e. New York to Los Angeles)

And for one-way Business Class award seats, the cheapest award flights cost:

25,000 Delta miles for short-haul and medium-haul flights
32,500 Delta miles for long-haul flights

The good news is there are no close-in booking fees or fuel surcharges. And Delta award flights are easy to book online after you transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points.

You can also transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue to book Delta award flights because both are part of the SkyTeam alliance.

One-way coach award flights within the US cost 12,500 Flying Blue miles.

You’ll likely only want to book Delta award flights through Flying Blue if you already have miles built up in your frequent flyer account. Then, you can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to top off your account and book an award flight.

2. United Airlines

United Airlines is NOT a direct AMEX Membership Rewards transfer partner.

But you can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to Star Alliance partner airlines Air Canada or Singapore Airlines. Then book United Airlines award flights within the US.

United Airlines offers lots of non-stop flights out of their hub cities, including:

Chicago
Denver
Houston (IAH)

Los Angeles
Newark
San Francisco

Washington, DC

But you can only book “Saver” level United Airlines award flights using Air Canada Aeroplan or Singapore Airlines miles. So I recommend searching the United Airlines site first before transferring points to either of the partner airlines.

Using partner airline miles for one-way United Airlines flights within the US, you’ll pay:

12,500 Singapore Airlines miles or Air Canada Aeroplan miles in coach
20,000 Singapore Airlines miles or 25,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles in Business Class

So the sweet spot is using Singapore Airlines miles to book United Airlines Business Class award flights. But it can be difficult to find available “Saver” level award seats.

Between the 2 airline partners, it’s easier to use Air Canada Aeroplan miles for United Airlines award flights because you can book online.

For example, I searched the Air Canada website for a one-way flight from Denver to Aspen. There are coach award seats available for 12,500 Air Canada Aeroplan miles.

To book via Singapore Airlines, you’ll have to call 800-742-3333 and provide the agent with your flight details.

Neither Air Canada or Singapore Airlines add fuel charges or close-in booking fees to United Airlines award bookings.

3. American Airlines

Similar to United Airlines, American Airlines is NOT a direct AMEX Membership Rewards transfer partner. But you can transfer AMEX Membership Rewards points to British Airways or Etihad and then book American Airlines award flights.

You can find lots of good non-stop flight options from American Airlines hub cities like:

Charlotte
Chicago
Dallas

Los Angeles
Miami
New York

Philadelphia
Phoenix
Washington, DC

British Airways and Etihad use different systems for pricing award flights on American Airlines.

British Airways has a distance-based award chart. So the amount you’ll pay depends on the length of your flight.

For example, one-way coach award flights cost:

7,500 British Airways Avios points for flights under 1,151 miles
10,000 British Airways Avios points for flights between 1,152 and 2,000 miles
12,500 British Airways Avios points for flights between 2,001 and 3,000 miles

So using British Airways Avios points for short flights within the US can be a terrific deal. For example, I found a one-way award flight from Miami to Atlanta for 7,500 British Airways Avios points.

For one-way Business Class award flights, you’ll pay:

15,000 British Airways Avios points for flights under 1,151 miles

20,000 British Airways Avios points for flights between 1,152 and 2,000 miles
37,500 British Airways Avios points for flights between 2,001 and 3,000 miles

Meanwhile, Etihad charges a flat amount for one-way flights within the US. You’ll pay:

12,500 Etihad miles in coach
25,000 Etihad miles in Business Class
32,500 Etihad miles in First Class

The trick to using British Airways Avios points or Etihad miles for American Airlines flights is to find available award seats.

You can only book American Airlines award flights using partner airline miles if there are low-level “MileSAAver” seats available.

Here’s how you can check available seats and book using partner airline miles.

Step 1. Search American Airlines Award Calendar

First, search your desired American Airlines route on the airline’s website. In this example, I searched one-way non-stop award flights from Los Angeles to Miami.

To view the lowest level “MileSAAver” awards, you can click on “Economy MileSAAver” or “Business/First MileSAAver”.

I wanted to see if there were any available Business Class award seats.

As the calendar shows, it can be extremely difficult to find low-level Business Class award seats. There’s only 1 date in March or April 2017 that’s available.

Note: It’s much easier to find available seats in coach.

Step 2. Book American Airlines Award Flight Using Partner Airline Miles

After you confirm award seats are available, you can use British Airways Avios points to book online. Or you can use Etihad miles, but you’ll have to call to book.

For example, I searched the flight on the British Airways website and found the available seats.

You can quickly book this flight online after you transfer in AMEX Membership Rewards points.

Because this flight is between 2,001 and 3,000 miles, you’ll pay 37,500 British Airways Avios points, which is more than 25,000 American Airlines miles you’d use if you booked directly.

As an alternative, you can call Etihad at 877-690-0767. Then, book using 25,000 Etihad miles, which is the price for all Business Class flights within the US.

The good news is you won’t pay any extra booking fees or charges when you redeem partner airline miles to book American Airlines award flights.

Use AMEX Pay With Points for Simplicity

Link: AMEX Pay With Points

Instead of transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to airline partners, you can redeem points for airfare using Pay With Points through the Membership Rewards travel portal.

When you use your AMEX Membership Rewards points towards air travel, you’ll get 1 cent per point towards your ticket. And folks with the Business Platinum Card from American Express can get 35% back using the Pay With Points perk.

For example, I searched the AMEX Travel Portal and found a one-way Frontier Airlines flight from Chicago to Los Angeles, which costs $59 or ~5,800 AMEX Membership Rewards points.

The benefit of redeeming points this way includes the option to book flights on airlines that are not direct or indirect AMEX transfer partners. And you earn frequent flyer miles on the flights. Plus, you don’t have to worry about blackout dates!

But you’re better offer transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to a partner airline if you can get more than 1 or 2 cents per point.

Bottom Line

American Express Membership Rewards points are very flexible for award flights within the US.

Between direct transfer partners and award flights through partner airlines, you can use AMEX Membership Rewards points for award flights on American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines.

The best transfer partner depends on available award seats, where you want to travel, and the departure airlines from your home airport.

For simplicity, you can redeem AMEX Membership Rewards points for paid airfare using Pay With Points through the Membership Rewards travel portal. This will give you more options beyond the direct and indirect AMEX airline transfer partners.

Source link

General

Published

22 hours ago

June 6, 2023

Samara Ben

Flying can be stressful for both people and animals, but especially for dogs. It can be very stressful to check in at a congested airport and board a busy plane. Due to this, many pet owners prefer traveling with their cherished furry friends in the cabin of the aircraft as opposed to the pet cargo compartment. Owners are able to keep their dog company and offer comfort and assurance in this way.

Flying can be an incredibly stressful and overwhelming experience for both people and animals, but especially for dogs. Checking in at a crowded airport and boarding a busy plane can be an intimidating experience for our beloved furry friends. As a result, many pet owners choose to fly with their beloved pets in the cabin of the aircraft, rather than in the pet cargo compartment, so that they can stay close to their dog and provide comfort and assurance. This is a much more preferable option for many pet owners.

A medium-sized dog wearing a red bandana is sitting on the floor at a busy airport, looking up anxiously at its owner. The owner is standing in front of the dog, holding its leash and comforting the animal with a soothing hand on its head. The background features a bustling airport terminal with people and luggage moving around.

General

14 Airlines That Allow Pets in Cabin on International Flights [2023]

Published

23 hours ago

June 6, 2023

Samara Ben

Traveling with our furry companions has become increasingly popular, and many airlines have recognized the importance of accommodating passengers’ beloved pets. Instead of leaving them behind or entrusting them to a pet sitter, more and more pet owners are seeking airlines that allow flying with pets in the cabin on international flights. There are many airlines that allow pets in cabin on international flights.

This article will explore several airlines that go the extra mile to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for both humans and their four-legged friends. From pet policies to cabin requirements for airlines that allow pets in cabin on international flights, let’s dive into the top airlines that warmly welcome dogs and cats on board.

The following airlines allow pets in cabin on international flights:

Aegean Airlines
Air Canada

Air Europa
Air France
Alaska Air

American Airlines
Delta
French Bee

JetBlue
Lufthansa
TAP Air Portugal

TUI Fly
United Airlines
Vueling

Which airlines allow pets in cabin on international flights?

Aegean Airlines Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8 kg (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm

Cost: 60 EUR (prices differ depending on time of year)

Additional information:

Transportation of dogs and cats to the UK is only permitted for flights to London Heathrow and only to be sent as cargo.

Visit Aegean’s website for more information.

Related post: Flying Pets in Cargo: Will My Pet be Safe?

Air Canada Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 22 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 27 x 40 x 55 cm (soft-sided crate) & 23 x 40 x 55 cm (hard-sided crate)

Cost: $100-118 CAD

Additional information:

Pets cannot travel with you if you:
- Are an unaccompanied minor
- Are seated in an exit or bulkhead row
- Are travelling in Premium Economy

On flights operated by their Aribus fleet, pets may not travel in the First Class cabin.
On Boeing 789 and 788 aircraft, the pet carrier cannot exceed H20 x W40 x L43 cm
On Boeing 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft, the pet carrier cannot exceed H21 x W38 x L43 cm

For more info, visit Air Canada’s website.

Related post: Requirements for Taking Pets to Canada [Pet Passport Guide]

Air Europa Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8kg (10kg including carrier) or 6kg on flights operated by ATR
Maximum carrier size: 55 x 35 x 25 cm

Cost: 27-55 USD within Europe and 165 USD long-haul

Additional information:

Prices subjects to possible surcharges for taxes in certain countries.

Dogs must be at least 3 months old to travel on medium and long haul flights.
Passengers are not permitted to bring pets in the Business cabin.
Pets in the cabin may not fly in an emergency or XL seat.

Visit Air Europa’s website for more information.

Related post: How to get an EU Pet Passport

Alaska Air Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 9kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 43 x 28 x 24 cm (soft) / 43 x 28 x 19 cm (hard)

Cost: 100 USD each way

Additional information:

You may not occupy an emergency exit row, or any seat with an airbag safety belt.

On flights operated by their Aribus fleet, pets may not travel in the First Class cabin.

Visit Alaska Air’s website for more information.

American Airlines Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 9 kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)

Maximum carrier size: depends on flight (call the airline for specific restrictions)
Cost: 125 USD each way

Additional information:

Pets are not permitted to fly in cabin on international flights over 12 hours, or transatlantic flights.
Due to the lack of under-seat storage space, carry-on dogs are not permitted in First or Business on the following Boeing planes:
- 777-200
- 777-300
- 787-8
- 787-9

For more info on additional restrictions, visit AA’s website.

Related post: How to get a US Pet Passport

Air France Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17 pounds (including carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 46 x 28 x 24 cm (soft carriers recommended)

Cost: 30-125 EUR international

Additional information:

Pets are not permitted to fly in cabin on international intercontinental flights.

Pets are not permitted to fly in cabin in business on international flights.
Each passenger may travel with only 1 pet.

For more info, visit Air France’s website.

Delta Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: No limit, but pets must fit comfortably in carrier under seat
Maximum carrier size: depends on flight (check the under-seat dimensions on your aircraft here)
Cost: 125 USD within North America, 200 USD international and 75 USD to Brazil

Additional Information:

The following age restrictions apply:
- Pets must be at least 16 weeks old for travel to/from the U.S.
- Pets must be at least 15 weeks old for travel to/from the EU.
For any travel to or from the following destinations, pets are not permitted in the cabin:
- Australia
- Barbados
- Dubai
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates

For more info on additional restrictions, visit Delta’s website.

Related post: How to get a US Pet Passport

French Bee Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17 pounds (including carrier)

Maximum carrier size:43x35x20cm
Cost: 50€ each way

Additional information:

Sub-nosed animals are not permitted on their flights
- Breeds include: pugs, bulldogs, boxers, Pekinese and shih tsus
Category 1 (attack dogs) and Category 2 dogs (guard and defence dogs) are not permitted to be taken by any one under the age of 18, or by adults subject to guardianship.
- For more information on category 1 and 2 dogs check the French Bee website here.

For more info, head to French Bee’s website.

JetBlue Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 9 kg / 20 pounds (including carrier)

Maximum carrier size: 17″L x 12.5″W x 8.5″H
Cost: 125 USD each way

Additional information:

For any travel to or from the following destinations, pets are not permitted in the cabin:
- London
- Jamaica
- Barbados
- Trinidad & Tobago
- St. Lucia
- Cayman Islands

For more info, head to JetBlue’s website.

Related post: How to get a US Pet Passport

Lufthansa Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8 kg / 17.6 pounds (including carrier)

Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
Cost: 60 EUR international within Europe and 80-110 EUR international outside Europe

Additional information:

You must complete this form before boarding your flight.
You are not able to fly into the UK with a pet.

Visit Lufthansa’s website for more information.

TAP Air Portugal Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8kg / 17.6 pounds (including pets and carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 40 x 33 x 17cm
Cost: cost varies – check here

Aircraft Restrictions:

Pets are not permitted to be carried in Executive Class on long haul flights.
You are not able to fly into the UK with a pet.

Visit TAP Air’s website for more info.

TUI Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 8kg / 17.6 pounds (excluding carrier)
Maximum carrier size: 55 x 40 x 20 cm (soft-sided crates only)

Cost: 50 EUR

Additional information:

On all long-haul international flights, pets are not allowed in the cabin.

On all non-European destinations in combination with Antwerp, dogs or cats are not allowed

Visit TUI’s website for more information.

United Airlines Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: No limit, but must fit comfortably in carrier under seat

Maximum carrier size: 46 x 28 x 28 cm (soft-sided) / 44 x 30 x 19 cm (hard-sided)
Cost: 125 USD (+ 125 USD service charge for each stopover of more than four hours within the U.S. or more than 24 hours outside the U.S)

Additional information:

Pets are not permitted in cabin on the following aircrafts:
- Boeing 757-200
- Boeing 767
- Boeing 777
- Boeing 778
United doesn’t allow pets to fly in-cabin on international flights to and from:
- Australia
- Cuba
- Guam
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Hawaii
- Hong Kong
- India
- Ireland
- Marshall Islands
- New Zealand
- Palau
- Panama
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Tahiti
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK

Visit United’s website for more info.

Related post: How to get a US Pet Passport

Vueling Pet Policy.

Maximum weight: 10 kg (including carrier) or 8kg on flights operated by Iberia
Maximum carrier size: 45 x 39 x 21 cm (soft-sided crates only)
Cost: 50 EUR international

Additional information:

Vueling doesn’t allow dogs to fly in-cabin on flights to and from:
- UK
- Ireland

Visit Vueling’s website for more information.

Prepare for flying with a pet in cabin on international flights.

1. Select an appropriate, cabin-approved travel carrier.

As mentioned above, different airlines and aircrafts have different size restrictions for carriers. Be sure to check the restrictions for your specific airline, and aircraft.

For example, Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18” x 11” x 11” since this fits most aircraft types.

We would recommend using a soft sided carrier as they usually give your pet more space.

2. Get your pet used to it’s travel carrier.

When flying with a pet in cabin, they will need to stay in its travel carrier for the duration of the journey. So, it’s very important that you spend some time to get your dog used to its travel carrier.

When first introducing your pet to its carrier, take it slow. Lure your dog into their carrier with plenty of treats, and let him/her play and sleep in there as much as possible. You want to avoid forcing your pet into the carrier as this may stress him or her out and may cause a negative association to the carrier.

3. Train your pet to stay calm.

Your pet will need to be calm and well behaved when flying in cabin. If they show disruptive behaviour, they risk being sent into the cargo area of the plane.

4. Exhaust your pet before the flight.

5. Limit access to food and water before the flight.

When flying with a pet in cabin, your pet won’t be able to go potty. So, it’s a good idea to limit your pet’s access to food before the flight. Additionally, some animals may experience motion sickness if they eat just before a flight. If you are flying in the morning, then feed them the night before. Air Canada suggest feeding your dog four to six hours prior to departure, as a full stomach may cause discomfort during travel.

Line the bottom of your pet’s travel carrier with a pee pad, just incase they do have an accident.

6. Familiarise yourself with the airport that you are departing from and arriving to.

Most airports will have a dedicated area for pets and service animals to rest. It is actually a legal requirement that all U.S. airports have pet-relief areas available for working animals and pets to rest. Take some photos of the airport maps, so you don’t have to wander around on the day trying to find a resting place.

7. Bring along your pet’s favourite comforts.

To maximise comfort and minimise stress, pop your pet’s favourite blanket or toy in the travel carrier with them. If your pet suffers from separation anxiety, you could even pop one of your t-shirts in the carrier.

Which dog and cat breeds are not allowed in cabin on international flights?

Unfortunately, some airlines have restrictions on the dog and cat breeds they permit on their flights.

This is because of their anatomical abnormalities, short-nosed breeds may be more vulnerable to changes in air quality and temperature in the cargo hold of a plane.

Only certain airlines have these breed restrictions, so while you may not be able to fly with one airline, you may be able to fly with another. However, it’s important that you are confident your pet is healthy enough to fly.

The following brachycephalic and snub-nosed dog breeds are often not allowed in the cabin on international flights:

Affenpinscher
American Staffordshire Terrier
Boston Terriers
Boxers
Brussels Griffon
Bulldogs (all breeds)
Cane Corso
Chow Chow
Dogue De Bordeaux
English Toy Spaniel
Japanese Chin
Lhasa Apso
Mastiff (all breeds)
Pekingese
Pitbulls
Presa Canario
Pug
Shar Pei
Shih Tzu
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Tibetan Spaniel

Related post: 21 Dog Breeds That Can Fly in Cabin

The following brachycephalic and snub-nosed cat breeds are often not allowed in the cabin on international flights:

Burmese Cat
Exotic Shorthair Cat
Himalayan Cat
Persian Cat

Documents required for taking pets in cabin on international flights.

The documents required when flying with a pet in cabin will vary depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying from and to.

You will need more paperwork when traveling internationally, in most cases you will usually require the following:

Microchip certificate
Rabies vaccination certificate
Animal health certificate
Additional vaccination certificates
Rabies titer test results
Parasite treatment certificate

a) Microchip.

Many airlines require microchip documents when flying with a dog or cat in cabin. Not only is it usually a requirement, it is in your best interest. If your pet was to go missing whilst abroad, then you are far more likely to be reunited with a microchip.

Your pet can get microchipped at your local vet or a charity, such as RSPCA.

b) Rabies vaccinations.

If you want your take dog or cat on flights, it is likely that he/she requires a valid rabies vaccination. Particularly when you are taking your pet on an international flight as this is a requirement for entering most countries.

Most countries require dogs and cats to have their rabies vaccination between 30 days and 12 months prior to importing.

Related post: How Often Does a Dog Need a Rabies Shot?

c) Animal health certificate.

Most airlines will require an official animal health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian when flying with pets in cabin.

In most cases, your health certificate will also need to be endorsed by the country’s authority responsible for the import and export of animals. For example, if you are traveling from the US, you will need your documents endorsed by the USDA. If you are traveling from Canada, you will need to have your documents endorsed by CFIA.

They are normally valid for 10 days.

d) Additional vaccinations.

Depending on where you are flying to, your pet may also require additional vaccinations or treatments.

For example, Turkey requires that all dogs are vaccinated against parainfluenza, leptospirosis, parvovirus, bordetella, hepatitis and distemper before being allowed into the country.

e) Rabies titer test.

Some countries require pets to have a rabies titer test before entering. This is usually the case when you are traveling from a country that is considered high risk for rabies.

If your pet requires a titer test the process is as follows:

Your pet will have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
Your vet will then send the blood sample to an approved blood testing laboratory.
Your pet’s blood test results must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
You must wait 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken before you travel.
The vet will give you a copy of the test results.

f) Parasite treatment.

To enter many countries, dogs are required to be treated against internal and/or external parasites before entering. This includes treatment for tapeworm, fleas, ticks, nematodes and cestodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to pay extra to fly with my dog in cabin?

You will yes. The amount you pay however, will differ between airlines as they charge different amounts. The charge also depends on where you are flying to and from. International flights usually cost more.

Can I fly with my pet in cabin on international flights?

You may be able to, depending on which airline you are flying with, and where you are flying to and from. Some airlines allow dogs and cats in cabin on international flights, such as Aegean Air. Southwest, however, do not let pets in cabin on international flights.

Can I fly with my puppy or kitten in cabin?

This depends on how old your puppy is, and which airline you are flying with. Different airlines have different restrictions on the age of pets that can fly in cabin. Some require puppies and kittens to be at least 8 weeks old, where others require them to be 16 weeks old.

Can I fly with a large dog in the cabin?

Unfortunately, unless your dog is an official service dog, only small dogs are permitted. Most airlines require that pets and travel carriers must have a combined weight of no more than 8kg. There are however some semi-private airlines that will allow large dogs in cabin.

Conclusion

Traveling with your pet is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories. Thankfully, several airlines have recognized the importance of allowing pets in the cabin on international flights and have established comprehensive pet policies to accommodate furry travellers. Whether you choose Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, or JetBlue Airways, you can rest assured that your dog will be treated with care and enjoy a safe and comfortable journey by your side.

Related posts:

Source link

General

4 Things to Know About Pet Travel Insurance

Published

2 days ago

June 5, 2023

Samara Ben

Traveling with your pet can be so rewarding; but it can also be a huge hassle. Between ever-changing airline policies regarding emotional support animals, to needing to shell out a few hundred dollars for a round-trip flight for your furry friend, traveling can get complicated (and costly) fast.

And that’s if everything goes according to plan. If your pet gets sick or injured while traveling or you have to cancel a trip for an unexpected surgery, things can get really hairy. So it pays to make sure that not only you and your trip are covered by travel insurance, but your pet is, too. Here are four things to know about pet travel insurance.

1. Pet travel insurance vs. pet health insurance

First things first, is pet travel insurance different from pet health insurance? In short, yes. Pet health insurance covers your furry companion’s healthcare needs, whereas pet travel insurance is offered by businesses hired to relocate your pet and only applies to what happens between the beginning and end of a trip.

Pet health insurance covers needs like vet visits, surgery, injuries and dental work. Like your own health insurance, you will pay a monthly or annual premium and can expect deductibles of varying amounts depending on your level of coverage.

Pet travel insurance, on the other hand, only covers your pet during a set period of time. This is usually from point to point and when your pet is traveling unaccompanied, like when you are hiring a service to relocate your pet. The most important distinction is only businesses can buy pet travel insurance, not the pet owner.

🤓Nerdy Tip

“Pet flight insurance” doesn’t exist.

Fortunately, many pet health insurance policies may cover some travel cancellation and health care costs for your pet if your trip gets interrupted because your pet gets sick or injured. To find out if that’s the case, be sure to read your individual policy for details.

» Learn more: How to make traveling with your pet affordable

2. Pets aren’t covered under most normal travel insurance and trip cancellation policies

Travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance is a handy thing to have when the unexpected happens, as it can help reimburse travel costs if you have to cancel a trip or call it short due to an emergency. Unfortunately, travel insurance and trip cancellation coverage don’t typically cover pets, only human travelers.

In fact, trip cancellation insurance rarely considers pet emergencies, deaths or overbooked pet reservations on an airline as valid reasons for cancellation — though there may be exceptions made in the case of registered service animals.

That said, if you still want the option to cancel travel plans and get reimbursed for your investment in the case of a pet emergency, there may be a way: You can select a travel insurance policy with “Cancel For Any Reason” coverage, which would include pet emergencies.

» Learn more: The most pet-friendly airlines

3. Some pet insurance only covers your pet in the U.S.

While there are some pet health insurance companies that offer cat and dog travel insurance coverage in the form of health care treatment when you’re away from home, not all provide coverage in all places. Some may only cover health issues and care within the U.S. and Canada, while others may reimburse you for services abroad, too (though they may be limited to certain countries).

So before you pick a plan, make sure to read the fine print to know if your pet is covered wherever you plan on traveling together, especially if you’re headed overseas.

» Learn more: How to fly with a dog

4. Pets may require additional info to fly

Do pets need insurance to fly? Generally no, though depending on the airline, you may be required to bring other information and documentation with you when you travel with an animal. Check with your specific airline before booking to ensure you’re following protocol and you don’t miss your flight for lack of appropriate paperwork.

If you’re traveling internationally with your pet and your destination country allows four-legged visitors (not all do), you’ll need an international health certificate and will be required to adhere to any specific requirements set forth by that country.

You can check the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service site from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for regulations by country.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Pet travel insurance considerations, recapped

Traveling with a pet can be complicated and costly, but pet insurance can bring peace of mind whether you’re road tripping across the country or flying around the world.

Just make sure before you head off on your adventure to check and make sure that your pet’s health insurance policy covers veterinary treatment where you’re headed, find out whether your travel insurance offers coverage for trip cancellation or interruptions insurance because of sick pets, and consider getting a “Cancel For Any Reason” policy so you can change your plans for any and all pet-related reasons.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2023, including those best for: