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As many as one in three Americans have criminal records. And since most employers run background checks on potential candidates, these records can be a considerable impediment for those previously convicted of a felony.

In fact, according to the Sentencing Project, more than 60% of formerly incarcerated individuals are unemployed one year after being released

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Therefore, starting and running a business may be a suitable way of earning income. Although formerly incarcerated individuals can still face challenges as entrepreneurs, a variety of small-business grants and additional resources can help.

How Much Do You Need?

with Fundera by NerdWallet

Grants for people previously convicted of a felony

Unlike small-business loans, grants provide free funding that doesn’t need to be repaid. Grants can be a particularly good option for formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs who don’t want to take on debt or have trouble qualifying for debt financing.

It’s important to keep in mind that finding and applying for small-business grants is time-consuming and entries are competitive. If you dedicate the necessary time and effort, however, you may be able to access free capital for your business.

Nonprofit and corporate grants

Formerly incarcerated individuals can get business grants from corporations and nonprofit organizations. Some nonprofits even offer second-chance entrepreneurial programs — in other words, training and funding opportunities designed specifically for previously incarcerated people.

Rise Up, Get Started Grant Program

Determination, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri, that helps formerly incarcerated individuals start and grow their own businesses.

Through the organization’s Rise Up, Get Started initiative, business owners can participate in a year-long program where they receive coaching, mentoring and community support. Entrepreneurs will also have assistance writing a business plan and creating a budget.

At the conclusion of the program, participants will have $300 saved for their business — and Determination, Incorporation will award a $750 grant on top of these savings.

The nonprofit organization also runs an in-prison Back to Business workshop, which helps incarcerated individuals develop a business plan so that they can get started quickly upon release.

Georgetown Pivot Program

The Georgetown Pivot Program is a full-time, one-year program designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals develop the skills to succeed in a business and professional environment.

Over the course of the program, participants will attend classes, receive an internship placement and get the opportunity to develop their own business idea. Each participant will present their business idea at the Pivot Pitch Competition for a chance to win startup funding. In 2022, participants were awarded a total of $15,000 in grant money.

To qualify, participants must be 25 years or older with a high school or a GED diploma who were last incarcerated within the past five years. Preference is given to Washington, D.C., residents.

The Transform Business Grant

The Transform Business Grant is open to business owners in systemically oppressed groups, including formerly incarcerated people. In addition to $1,000 microgrant, recipients will also be awarded a customized, year-long business strategy and development program. The next grant cycle runs from July 20-August 20, 2023.

LEAP Virtual Entrepreneurial Academy

LEAP is a nonprofit organization based in Florida that works with previously incarcerated women and helps them as they transition back into society. The LEAP Virtual Entrepreneurial Academy is a program that runs twice per year and teaches business skills to its participants.

Over a three-month period, students attend classes twice per week, and at the conclusion of the program, they pitch a business plan to a panel of entrepreneurs for an opportunity to win cash prizes. Graduates are also eligible to apply for a $1,000 microloan.

To qualify, you must be a formerly incarcerated woman who has access to a computer. LEAP covers all program costs through funding from its sponsors.

Amber Grant

Although not designated exclusively for previously incarcerated individuals, the Amber Grant is another great funding option for women entrepreneurs. The nonprofit organization WomensNet offers several grant opportunities to businesses that are at least 50% women-owned, including the $10,000 monthly Amber Grant and the $25,000 annual Amber Grant.

WomensNet also issues a startup-dedicated grant, a nonprofit-dedicated grant and business category grants. Each month, the organization offers a $10,000 grant to a company in a specific industry — in July, for example, the funding is awarded to an animal services business.

You can apply for all of these grants by submitting one simple application through the Amber Grant website.

NASE Growth Grant

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), provides growth grants of up to $4,000 to small businesses on a quarterly basis. To be eligible for one of these grants, however, you must be a NASE member.

The organization offers several different membership options (which include additional benefits, such as expert advice and product discounts) and does not exclude formerly incarcerated individuals from joining.

Once you become a member, you can apply for a grant through the NASE website. Monthly members, however, will have to wait 90 days before they can apply. For the application, you’ll need to provide a business plan and explain why you need the funds and how you’ll use the money.

Incfile Fresh Start Business Grant

Grant winners will receive Incfile’s Gold plan for free, which includes incorporation services in your state, free registered agent services for a year and a free tax consultation. You’ll also receive a $2,500 grant.

To apply, you must complete an online application, create a two-minute video explaining how entrepreneurship will impact your life and submit a sample business plan. Incfile accepts applications three times per year.

Government grants

Individuals previously convicted of a felony can also get business grants from the federal government, as well as state and local governments. Here are some options to consider:

Grants.gov

Grants.gov is a database of federal small-business grants available to all types of entrepreneurs, including formerly incarcerated individuals. This database offers access to over 1,000 grants administered by 26 government agencies, such as the Department of Energy, Department of State and Department of Transportation.

To apply, you’ll need to register your business using the System Award Management platform and get a unique entity identification number. Once you have your number, you can create an account on Grants.gov to submit your grant applications.

Economic Development Offices

Most states and many cities have economic development offices, which are dedicated to promoting and supporting local businesses. Through your regional office, you’ll likely be able to find information regarding government funding solutions, training programs and tax incentives.

Maine’s Office of Business Development, for example, provides a variety of grant opportunities, including options that finance recreation businesses, local tourism, agriculture and food businesses, among others.

Additional resources for people previously convicted of a felony

Entrepreneurial training programs and other tools can be extremely beneficial for individuals previously convicted of a felony looking to start or grow their businesses — even if they don’t necessarily provide free funding. Finding organizations that focus on helping the formerly incarcerated transition back into society through entrepreneurship can be particularly useful.

Here are some available resources:

Help For Felons

The website HelpForFelons.org provides a wide variety of resources for those who were convicted of felonies, as well as other previously incarcerated individuals. Through the site, you can find job postings, legal information and housing options. You can also access lists of personal and business grants, loans and other forms of financial assistance.

Inmates to Entrepreneurs

Inmates to Entrepreneurs is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people with criminal backgrounds launch their own businesses. The organization offers free online and in-person courses to give would-be entrepreneurs the business education they need to get started.

Defy Ventures

Defy Ventures administers several second-chance programs with the goal of helping formerly incarcerated individuals succeed in their new lives and decrease the rate of recidivism. Through Defy Ventures, potential entrepreneurs can participate in an entrepreneur boot camp or a business accelerator. Through these programs, they gain the skills they need to launch and grow a business.

Project ReMADE

Project Remade is an entrepreneurship training program run by Stanford Law School. This program teaches formerly incarcerated individuals basic business skills and introduces them to professionals in the business community.

Between classes, students meet with mentor teams who help them develop a potential business plan. Mentor teams consist of one Stanford Law Student, one Stanford Graduate School of Business student and one Silicon Valley professional.

At the conclusion of the program, entrepreneurs present their business plans before a panel of executives and microdevelopment organizations.

Entre Capital

For entrepreneurs who are still looking for financing, Entre Capital is a community development financial institution (CDFI), specifically devoted to providing capital to second-chance businesses. The organization only funds previously incarcerated individuals, offering them loans to start or expand their operations.

Entre Capital also offers assistance with business planning, budgeting and financial reporting, as well as mentorship resources.

Refoundry

Refoundry is an incubator program based in Brooklyn, New York. Through this program, formerly incarcerated individuals are taught to repurpose reclaimed materials into home furnishings. As they develop these skills, Refoundry mentors also teach participants how to build a resume, succeed in an interview and start their own business.

Small Business Development Centers

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are SBA-sponsored centers that provide free or low-cost training and assistance to new and existing businesses. These centers are typically hosted by local colleges or universities, as well as state economic development agencies. SBDCs often maintain lists of funding opportunities in your area and can help you find and apply for the best options for your needs.

Frequently asked questions

Are there grants for those convicted of felonies to start their own businesses?

Yes. Formerly incarcerated individuals may be able to get startup business grants from the federal government and their state or local government. Some organizations, like the National Association for the Self-Employed, also offer grants for startup businesses.

How do you get a business grant as a formerly incarcerated individual?

As a formerly incarcerated individual, you can search and apply for grants related to your business. These grants may be available from the government, nonprofit organizations or large corporations. Before applying, you should ensure you meet all of the eligibility criteria, such as industry, time in business and specific need for funds.

Are there SBA grants for those convicted of felonies?

The SBA doesn’t usually offer grants directly to any small-business owners. Instead, it grants nonprofits and community organizations that promote and support entrepreneurship. Alternatively, you might consider an SBA loan. Individuals with a felony record are not excluded from applying but will need to provide a completed fingerprint card.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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A company’s success can hinge not only on its ability to bring new customers into the business, but also to retain its existing customer base. The following brand and customer loyalty statistics illustrate how important it is for any business marketing strategy to include goals for customer retention. Doing your research while crafting your marketing plan, understanding your target audience, listening to customer feedback, implementing a customer rewards program and exploring customer win-back strategies are all ways to promote customer loyalty to your business.

Customer loyalty statistics

65% of a company’s business comes from existing customers

A majority of a business’s sales are estimated to come from existing customers, according to the Customer Service Institute. And following the Pareto Principle, 80% of a business’s future profits will come from 20% of its customers.

Customers spend 43% more money at brands they’re loyal to

Loyalty program members spend between 12-18% more per year than non-loyalty program members. And 80% of customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience. If you can gain their loyalty, it’ll quite literally pay for your business: Customers spend 43% more money at brands they’re loyal to.

It costs 5X more to acquire a new customer than it does to retain a returning one

Another reason why investing in brand loyalty is smart for small businesses is that is costs significantly more — 5X — to acquire a new customer than it does to retain an existing one.

Lowering your customer churn rate by 5% can increase your profitability by 75% or more

Churn rate refers to customers who stop transacting with your business. If you can win back just 5% of these previous customers, your business’s profitability can increase by at least 75%, according to data from Hoover’s, a subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet.

54% of customers would stop using a brand if they had a negative review go unaddressed

Customers want to feel recognized when they have a negative experience. An effective way to boost customer retention is to respond to reviews — both positive and negative — quickly and professionally. The alternative: 54% of customers would stop doing business with a brand if they had a negative review go unaddressed, despite receiving additional communications from the company, such as promotions for their products.

88% of consumers share their negative brand experiences

Of these customers, 59% will share these negative experiences with friends and family, according to a study by Oracle. Why does this matter? The same study found that 77% of consumers trust family members and 75% trust friends over any other source for shopping recommendations.

71% of customers are unlikely to buy from a business that loses their trust

According to data from PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Consumer Intelligence Series Survey on Trust, 71% of consumers would be unlikely to buy from a brand that lost their trust. The same survey found top factors that affect consumers’ trust in a brand include affordability of its products or services, employee treatment, quality and variety of products or services and resolution speed of customer concerns.

68% of customer churn is attributed to company indifference

If customers don’t feel that a business cares about them, 68% would stop transacting with that business.

Separately, 68% of consumers believe a business should tailor its experience based on their tastes and preferences, according to Oracle.

92% of loyal customers ranked price and value for the top reason why they stay loyal to brands

An International Council of Shopping Centers survey found that brand loyalty is driven by price and value for 92% of consumers. Product and quality, and variety and selection were the next most important factors.

69% of consumers say choice of retailer is influenced by where they can earn customer loyalty/rewards program points

If your business doesn’t have a rewards program, consider this a sign to implement one: 69% of consumers say choice of retailer is influenced by where they can earn customer loyalty or rewards program points.

More small-business data from NerdWallet

A version of this article originally appeared on Fundera, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Planning a Walt Disney World vacation includes several steps — especially in recent years.

Choosing flights, booking hotels and purchasing theme park tickets isn’t enough anymore. Nowadays, you’ll also need to make a park reservation before you visit any Disney theme parks.

Thankfully, even if availability for Disney reservations is limited for your desired dates, you’re not out of luck.

Here’s how to make park reservations, some tips for visiting the theme park you want to see and how to get Disney tickets when it’s sold out.

Making Disney park reservations

Whenever you purchase Disney tickets, you also need to make a park reservation. This policy, started in 2020, can make it a little difficult if you’re not planning a trip well in advance.

You’ll want to book your reservations as soon as possible to ensure you’re able to visit your preferred parks. Reservations are made automatically for all single-day ticket purchases. However, if you have a multi-day ticket or an annual pass, you’ll need to make the reservations.

Before doing so, look at the availability calendar, which shows the theme parks available for your desired dates.

In this example, we’ve selected “Theme Park Tickets,” which shows availability in all four parks in July 2023:

If you select the “Annual Passes” option, you’ll be taken to a new page where you’ll choose the type of pass you have and which park you want to visit.

In this example, if you have the Pirate Pass, you aren’t able to make a reservation for Magic Kingdom during specific holiday weekends in May or July 2023:

In this case, reservations aren’t available due to blackout dates on this pass. This doesn’t mean reservations for Magic Kingdom are sold out for all ticket holders, so there may still be other ways for you to visit on these dates if you’re blocked out.

After you’ve confirmed that your dates are available, log in to your Disney account and make reservations on the reservation page.

How to get Disney reservations when it’s sold out

Maybe you’ve waited too long or you’re planning to visit on a busy day and the Disney World park you want to visit is sold out.

Luckily, there still are options available even when a park is out of reservations.

Park hop

It’s actually fairly unusual for Disney World tickets to be completely sold out. Even if a specific park’s reservations are sold out, other parks are typically available.

For example, Magic Kingdom reservations may be sold out, but Animal Kingdom may have reservations available.

And with park hopping tickets, visiting Magic Kingdom is still possible even if reservations aren’t initially available.

This is because you can go from one park to another without a reservation after 2 p.m.

So if you’ve made a reservation to visit Epcot, then, you could get on the monorail at 1:30 p.m. to head to Magic Kingdom. As soon as 2 p.m. hits, you can scan your ticket and enter Magic Kingdom — no reservation required.

Refresh the reservation page

Is it looking like Disney tickets are sold out? Ticket sales may appear to be static, but that’s not actually true.

Guests make and cancel reservations all the time, which means it’ll benefit you to keep checking back. If your preferred park is sold out, you’ll want to periodically refresh Disney’s reservation page.

This is especially the case as your dates move closer. There are times when guests make reservations but are unable to go at the last minute.

If you have the page open and refreshing, you’ll be the first to find those newly available reservations and can snap them up.

Switch your site

Do you speak another language? If that’s the case, you may want to try loading Disney’s park reservation page in that language.

It’s not clear why you’ll see available reservations on one version of the site and not another, but you can use this quirk to your advantage.

Book a resort

There are three types of park reservations available to guests: those with day tickets, those staying at select resorts and those with annual passes.

If you want to visit but your particular dates are blocked out, look at the availability calendar referenced above and choose “Select Resort Hotels.” Booking a night at a Disney resort may unlock a park pass reservation during even the busiest periods.

Buy an annual pass

Earlier in 2023, Walt Disney World expanded the benefits of those holding annual passes.

Now, anyone with an annual pass can visit any Disney park after 2 p.m. without a reservation. The only exception to this is at Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays — pass holders are still required to have reservations during those times.

Disney reservations availability recapped

Walt Disney World is a popular vacation destination for many travelers, whether it’s a family heading out for their first trip to the Magic Kingdom or a group of friends committed to drinking around the world at Epcot.

However, it’s necessary to plan in advance if you’re going to visit Disney World. This is true for dining reservations, hotel bookings and especially for theme park reservations.

If you’ve planned a vacation when reservations are no longer available, try these tips to still enjoy time at your favorite theme park.

(Top photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)

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:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Higher education could soon become more affordable for more than 700,000 of the incarcerated people in the U.S. Starting July 1, they’ll become eligible for Pell Grants for the first time in nearly 30 years, regardless of sentence length or conviction.

Pell Grants are a type of need-based financial aid from the federal government that gives recipients up to $7,395 per academic year to cover college costs like tuition, books and other fees. Unlike a loan, the grants never need to be repaid; students qualify based on financial need.

Incarcerated people — those in juvenile justice facilities and local, state and federal correctional facilities — will be able to use these Pell awards to pay for prison education programs (PEPs), which can lead to credentials like a professional certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree from a partner university.

Though the change is effective July 1, students may not be able to enroll in a PEP using Pell Grants immediately, says Ruth Delaney, associate initiative director at the Vera Institute of Justice focused on education reform in prisons. Some programs may start this fall, she says, but even then, enrollment won’t begin until later in the summer.

Here’s what you need to know about the Pell Grant expansion for prison education programs and how incarcerated students can access these funds.

Impact of Pell expansion for incarcerated students

Without access to Pell Grants, higher education has been virtually out of reach for most incarcerated people, who earn an average minimum wage of 86 cents per hour in typical prison jobs, according to a 2017 analysis by the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit public policy think tank. There were nearly 800 PEPs in the early 1990s, but after a 1994 crime bill blocked incarcerated students from receiving Pell Grants, the number of PEPs shrank to eight by 1997, according to the Vera Institute, a nonprofit that supports criminal justice reform.

Obtaining a higher education degree or certificate can help incarcerated students find stable careers and better pay when they reenter the workplace. People who participate in correctional education are also 43% less likely to return to prison within three years than those who don’t participate, according to a 2018 report by the Rand Corp., a public policy research organization.

Some incarcerated students have been able to access Pell Grants for years as part of an experimental program called Second Chance Pell established by President Barack Obama in 2015. As of 2022, incarcerated students had earned more than 7,000 credentials through the program. For example, Georgetown University launched its Prison Scholars Program in 2018 to bring higher education to incarcerated students in Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

“Financial aid is one piece of this puzzle,” says Rachel Rotunda, director of government relations at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. “This is a big change for students, but it’s also a big change for institutions and really the whole higher ed prison education community.”

Submit FAFSA to qualify for a Pell Grant

To be considered for a Pell Grant, incarcerated students must fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Because correctional facilities may offer limited or no internet access, students may need to submit a paper copy of their FAFSA application to partner college representatives at their facility. Then the partner college will submit the FAFSA on the student’s behalf to the office of Federal Student Aid, which will evaluate the application and determine the student’s eligibility and grant amount.

“A lot gets facilitated through the college, which means that the prospective student likely already knows what college they’re going to be applying to,” Delaney says. “The other side to that is that it’s rare to see more than one college program at a single prison.”

Though incarcerated students can legally submit the FAFSA as early as July 1, they may need to wait until their facility’s education staff is ready to accept applications and a PEP course is slated to begin.

Incarcerated students shouldn’t worry about filing the FAFSA months ahead of time; they’ll likely need to submit the FAFSA around the time they’re slated to enroll in a PEP, Delaney says. Deadlines will vary by program.

“There tends to be a bit more of a condensed timeline for enrollment [in prisons] compared to the more community-based timeline,” Delaney adds.

Other grants and scholarships to pay for prison education programs

Incarcerated students are blocked from receiving federal student loans, which can provide undergraduates with up to $12,500 in funds each year that must eventually be paid back.

But if a Pell Grant award is not enough to cover the cost of a prison education program, students may turn to other funding sources. This may also be necessary if a student embarks on multiple degrees or takes extra time to finish a program because Pell Grants can be used for no more than six years.

And in many cases, the colleges running PEPs are putting their own resources into making them affordable, Rotunda says, “to ensure that they’re able to offer high-quality programming and to provide students the same level of support that they would be providing for any other student.”

Where to get answers to your questions

If you’re incarcerated and have questions about the FAFSA, Pell Grants or PEPs, you can reach out to the following resources:

A financial aid administrator or other education representative at your correctional facility:

Varies by correctional facility.

Send questions to the Education Department by mail. Address letters to:

U.S. Department of Education

c/o Prison Education Programs

400 Maryland Ave SW

Washington, DC 20202

If you have internet access, send questions to the Education Department by email:

Incarcerated students with defaulted student loans

If you’ve defaulted on student loans in the past, you can sign up for a temporary government program called Fresh Start. This program will return your loans to good standing, allowing you to submit the FAFSA and receive a Pell Grant while incarcerated.

If you now have a loan in default, you’ll need to send a letter to:

P.O. Box 5609

Greenville, TX 75403

In your letter, include your full name, Social Security number, date of birth and the following statement: “I am a confined or incarcerated individual. I would like to use Fresh Start to bring my loans back into good standing.”

Source: nerdwallet.com

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After more than three years on the back burner, monthly federal student loan payments will finally resume 60 days after June 30 — and 1 in 5 borrowers could struggle when that happens, according to a new analysis from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Many borrowers could also fall behind on other debt obligations when student loan payments resume. More than 1 in 13 student loan borrowers are currently behind on other bills, an increase from before the pandemic, per the June 7 CFPB report, which analyzed a sample of about 32 million borrowers with outstanding federal student loans.

President Joe Biden’s one-time debt cancellation plan could impact these findings. The Supreme Court is expected to decide by the end of June whether the proposal to erase up to $20,000 in student loan debt per borrower can be implemented. But even if the Supreme Court upholds Biden’s student debt plan, payments will still resume on any remaining debt later this summer.

The CFPB report also touched on risk factors, such as borrower age and the fact that millions of loans are being transferred to different servicers. If you think you’ll struggle when repayment resumes, there are steps you can take now to put yourself in a better position.

Younger borrowers face budget concerns

Borrowers who left school and exhausted their six-month payment grace period during forbearance will need to fit student loan payments into their budget for the first time. That could be a challenge, especially if they’ve rented a pricier apartment, financed a car or taken on other debt with the assumption that they could afford those monthly bills.

And many have done just that, the CFPB found. Today, younger borrowers (ages 18-29) face higher monthly bills than they did prior to forbearance. The typical younger student loan borrower now has median nonstudent loan, nonmortgage monthly debt payments north of $200, up from about $65 in March 2020.

Servicer switches complicate repayment

To make matters even more confusing, the servicer that manages your student loan payments may have switched over the past three years. More than 14 million borrowers — 44% of the CFPB’s sample — will have to work with at least one federal student loan servicer that’s new to them since March 2020.

As a result, these borrowers may need to find out who their new servicer is, in addition to creating new logins with their new servicer and signing up for automatic payments again.

What to do if you’ll struggle when student loans resume

Although this report paints a bleak picture of what’s to come in a few months, student loan borrowers still have time to get ahead of payments and make a plan. Making a plan will be crucial, since the consequences of not paying your bills when they resume can be severe: It could lead to student loan default, a damaged credit score and seized paychecks.

Here are a few steps you can take today to set yourself up for success and avoid missing payments.

If your income fell, or you’re already struggling with other bills

An income-driven repayment (IDR) plan can cap your monthly student loan bills at a set percentage of your income and erase remaining student debt after you make payments for a set number of years. You could owe as little as $0 per month.

To sign up, contact your student loan servicer. You can submit paperwork now so that you’re set to go into an IDR plan when payments resume.

If your servicer has switched

Your federal student loan servicer landscape may have changed over the past few years. You’re supposed to get a letter or email from both your old and new servicer if this happens, but you may have missed a notification if you moved, for example.

If you’re not sure who your servicer is, log in to My Federal Student Aid using your FSA ID to find out. There, you can see your current servicer, view loan details, apply for a direct consolidation loan or sign up for an IDR plan.

If you’re preparing to pay student loan bills for the first time

If it’s your first time paying student loans, you may need to log in to your FSA account to figure out who your servicer is and how much you owe. Your servicer will be able to tell you how much your monthly payment could be under various repayment plans.

And if you have other major monthly bills beyond student loans, now’s the time to take a good look at your spending habits and budget. This could mean reevaluating your current lifestyle.

If you already have student loans in default

If you had student loans in default before forbearance began, you should enroll in a temporary government program called Fresh Start, which allows you to get your student loans back in good standing, build your credit score and sign up for an IDR plan.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Heading out on vacation can be fun, but what happens when you have pets at home? Whether it’s a beloved cat or the family dog, leaving them behind can leave you with more stress than it’s worth.

Thankfully, there are a number of airlines that’ll allow you to travel with your pets, whether that’s in the cabin or as cargo. Alaska Airlines is one of these — and it’s one of the best options out there for those traveling with pets.

Let’s take a look at the Alaska Airlines pet policy, what it looks like to fly with pet cargo and requirements for bringing your pet in the cabin.

Alaska Airlines pet cargo policy

There are two ways Alaska Airlines allows you to bring your pet as cargo: traveling on the same flight as you or separately — and the requirements are different for each.

Traveling on the same flight

If you’re going to be flying at the same time as your pet, you’ll need to check your pet to travel within the climate-controlled baggage compartment.

Here are the criteria for doing so:

  • Pet and carrier combined cannot exceed 150 pounds. 

  • The fee is $150 one way.

  • Accepted animals include cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, household birds, nonpoisonous reptiles, potbellied pigs, rabbits and tropical fish.

  • You must have a health certificate issued by a veterinarian. 

For travel within the state of Alaska or active duty military (and their dependents) the cost to check a pet is $100.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Recent NerdWallet analysis found the average pet fee to be $113 across major U.S. airlines.

In order to book your pet’s travels, you’ll want to either call Alaska Airlines at 800-252-7522 or use its website’s chat feature to secure a reservation.

This can be done after booking your own flight, but it’s better to do so sooner rather than later as the number of pets allowed in the baggage compartment is limited.

There are some restrictions for breeds and younger animals. For example, pets with snub noses, such as bulldogs and Persian cats, are unable to travel in the baggage compartment.

Finally, there are some limitations when it comes to traveling during certain periods of the year.

Those on Alaska flight numbers 2000-2999 or 3300-3499 are unable to check pets in the baggage compartment from Nov. 15 to Jan. 10 each year due to weather.

Shipping separately

If you won’t be traveling on the same flight as your pet, it’s still possible for them to catch their own flight. Alaska Airlines’ Pet Connect service is available on specific flights subject to weather conditions and destination.

Like checking your pet as baggage, you’ll need to meet a series of requirements, including providing access to food and water, a comfortable and sturdy carrier and a health certificate.

For unaccompanied pets, Alaska only allows travel during periods when the temperature is between 45 and 85 degrees. It’s possible to make an exception provided you have a vet letter stating that your pet is acclimated to more extreme weather types.

Pet Connect reservations can be made between 30 days and 24 hours prior to travel, though there are different requirements if some of the travel takes place on another airline.

The same breed restrictions apply for Pet Connect flights as for checking your pet as baggage, so be sure to double-check before booking.

Alaska Airlines in-cabin pet options

If your pet is small enough to fit under an airline seat, they’ll be able to travel in the cabin with you. Alaska Airlines doesn’t specify a weight requirement for pets, though they must be able to stand up and turn around in their carrier under the seat.

  • The fee is $100 one way. 

  • Acceptable animals include cats, dogs, rabbits and household birds. 

  • You must be 18 or older to travel with a pet in the cabin. 

  • Your pet counts toward your carry-on allotment. 

  • You can travel with a maximum of two pet carriers in the main cabin if you also purchase an adjacent seat. 

  • Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old. 

  • The pet must stay in the carrier at all times. 

  • Up to two pets of the same species can travel in one carrier provided they fit comfortably. 

There is a limited number of pets allowed in the cabin on each flight. In first class, up to three pets can be accommodated. In the economy cabin, up to eight pets are allowed per flight.

How flying with pets on Alaska compares to other airlines

It beat out all other competitor airlines to take the top spot for those traveling with pets. This is thanks to a number of factors, including how many animals you’re allowed to bring, the cost of traveling with a pet and the types of animals allowed.

Other things that were considered include whether the airline offers cargo services, if you’re allowed to bring your pet to the lounge and how well they handle pet transport.

Final thoughts on Alaska Airlines pet cargo

Alaska Airlines’ pet policies are some of the best in the business, with great options for those looking to travel with their pets.

This is true whether you’re planning to bring them in the cabin or check them as cargo. Its prices are among the lowest for airline pet travel and the variety of animals it accepts is more generous than most.

However, you’ll want to note that there are still some restrictions involved with the breed of animal that can fly, as well as dates during the year when traveling with pet cargo is unavailable.

Before you book, do your research to ensure that your pet meets all the requirements of traveling on Alaska Airlines.

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:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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KrowdFit is a digital wellness engagement platform that makes it possible to earn cash-back rewards when you use its app to track activities like steps, sleep and meals. The company also offers the $0-annual-fee KrowdFit Wellness Rewards Mastercard, which can help improve your financial fitness when you spend on self-care.

Cardholders can earn an impressive and uncapped 4% cash back on an expansive list of eligible “health, wellness, medical and lifestyle partners” — including Walmart and Target — in addition to 2% back on grocery purchases and 1% back everywhere else. Better yet, those rewards are issued instantly, so you won’t have to wait until the end of your billing cycle to redeem them.

According to a KrowdFit representative, you’ll need a FICO score above 650 to qualify for the card, which comes with a virtual card number for immediate use upon approval.

Here are five things to know about the KrowdFit credit card.

1. Earn outsized cash back on wellness purchases and more

The KrowdFit Card offers 2% cash back at grocery stores (excluding membership stores like Costco) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. While those rates are unspectacular, the card stands out thanks to the breadth of categories that qualify for its stellar 4% rate. Some of those categories include:

  • Food: Restaurants, specialty markets and “miscellaneous” food stores.

  • Fitness: Sporting goods stores, bicycle shops, membership clubs and dance studios.

  • Health care: Medical and dental providers, health insurance and drugstores.

  • Wellness: Massage parlors, spa services, and health and beauty shops. 

  • Clothing: Family clothing stores, sports apparel and shoe stores.

  • Outdoor activities: Public and private golf courses, country clubs, and sporting and recreational camps.

  • Transportation: Including boat, motorcycle and snowmobile dealers. 

  • Discount stores: Including Walmart, Target and others.

As of this writing, more than 30 merchant category codes (MCC) qualify for 4% cash back — a massive number for a no-annual-fee card that doesn’t require active management, such as tracking a bonus calendar or opting into bonus categories.

Also, if you make a purchase that you think should qualify for bonus cash back and it doesn’t, you can request to have the MCC code added to KrowdFit’s list.

2. Get one year of KrowdFit Premium and extra cash giveaway entries

Like many apps, KrowdFit has two versions: a free one with advertisements, and a premium one without the ads that promises a few additional perks. Cardholders will receive a one-year complimentary membership to KrowdFit Premium, normally $1.99 per month.

To incentivize healthy living and activity, KrowdFit offers cash giveaways that are paid out Monday, Wednesday and Friday of every week, in addition to a $5,000 physical activity cash giveaway on the first day of every month. The more you use the app to track things like sleep, diet and activity, the more entries you get.

3. See your credit line and interest rate before the hard pull

When you apply for a credit card, the issuer will typically conduct a hard inquiry to determine your creditworthiness. That inquiry can often lead to a temporary decrease in your credit scores, even though it’s generally conducted before you know what credit limit and interest rate you’re being offered.

But the KrowdFit card lets you see whether you’ll be approved — including the credit limit and interest rate — before you receive a hard pull. That way you know exactly what you’re being offered and whether it’s worth the impact to your credit scores. A hard pull is conducted only after you accept the offer.

Who doesn’t want to be rewarded?

Create a NerdWallet account for personalized recommendations, and find the card that rewards you the most for your spending.

4. Receive an instant virtual card number

Once you accept the credit line and interest rate provided through the preapproval process, you’ll immediately receive a virtual card number. This number gives you instant access to your credit line and can be added to your virtual wallet or used online for purchases.

Once you receive the physical card in the mail, simply replace your virtual card number with the number on the front of your card.

5. There’s no sign-up bonus

The ongoing rewards structure for the KrowdFit card is solid, but the card lacks something other no-annual fee cards offer — a sign-up bonus. Whether you’re looking for cash back or travel miles, a sign-up bonus is the easiest way to pile up rewards.

The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card card has a $0 annual fee and offers the following sign-up bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s a $200 cash redemption value. You’ll also earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel, dining, gas, public transportation, streaming services and phone plans.

Or there’s the Chase Freedom Flex℠, which also has a $0 annual fee and features the following sign-up bonus: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. In addition, you’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories you activate each quarter; 5% back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; and 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases. All other nonbonus-category purchases earn 1% back.

Source: nerdwallet.com

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If Memorial Day 2023 was any indication, travelers should brace for big Fourth of July crowds at airports. On the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened roughly 2.7 million people at U.S. airports, the highest checkpoint volume thus far in 2023.

And summer travel is only just getting started. In 2019, the Friday before Memorial Day was the third-busiest day at U.S. airports for the entire year, losing only to the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the Sunday after July Fourth. This may indicate that airports could be even busier around Independence Day than Memorial Day weekend.

Making Fourth of July travel predictions is tricky this year because the holiday falls midweek, on a Tuesday. Some folks may take Monday off to enjoy a long weekend, while others may save their vacation time for a different holiday.

With that in mind, here’s some guidance around booking July Fourth weekend air travel and how you might be able to avoid the crowds (and potentially save money on airfare).

The best and worst days to fly July Fourth weekend

TSA collects data daily to capture the number of passengers screened at its U.S. checkpoints. NerdWallet analyzed the past four years of this data for the seven days before and after July Fourth.

In each of the past four years, the Friday before July Fourth was the busiest travel day ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. If that trend continues this year, travelers should expect U.S. airports to be especially full on Friday, June 30.

Are airports busy on July Fourth? The data shows the holiday is the least busy day to fly, with airport crowds averaging just 81% of what they are relative to the busiest travel day.

Based on an average of the past four years, here are the worst days to travel around July Fourth weekend, ranked from most to least crowded.

Pre-holiday:

  1. Friday before.

  2. Thursday before.

  3. Monday before.

Post-holiday:

  1. Sunday after.

  2. Monday after.

  3. Thursday after.

Instead, consider these options. Here’s what the data showed as the best days to travel over July Fourth, ranked from least to most crowded:

Pre-holiday:

  1. Saturday before.

  2. Tuesday before.

  3. Sunday before.

Post-holiday:

  1. Saturday after.

  2. Friday after.

  3. Wednesday after.

The smarter, cheaper Fourth of July travel itinerary

Based on recent historical trends, most people will kick off their Fourth of July weekend as early as possible, jetting off on Friday, June 30 — or even ducking out of the workweek early by departing on Thursday, June 29. Most travelers will likely maximize their weekends, waiting until Sunday, July 9, to fly home.

But following typical July Fourth holiday travel patterns could mean costs in terms of airfare and time spent waiting in line at the airport. Deviate from that schedule to find lighter crowds and perhaps better July Fourth flight deals, too.

Try these travel days instead:

Embrace Saturday travel: Rather than rush out from work on Friday afternoon to jump on a flight, relax at home that evening and depart Saturday morning instead. Simply shifting your trip by one day could likely result in going from one of the busiest to lightest travel days of the July Fourth travel period.

The same goes for traveling back home. While it can be tempting to extend your trip as long as possible before work starts on Monday, skip the Sunday flight and fly home on Saturday instead. Bonus: You’ll give yourself a day at home to rest and recover before you hit the next workweek (how responsible of you).

Fly on July Fourth: If you don’t mind traveling on the holiday, you’re looking at the single emptiest air travel day of the period.

Do one better by flying out early on the holiday. Travel booking app Hopper’s spring 2023 Flight Disruption Outlook found that flights that depart from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. are half as likely to be delayed versus flights with scheduled departure times after 9 a.m.

Plus, a morning flight improves your odds of catching the fireworks at your final destination.

Fly on Wednesday, July 5: Will July 5 be a busy travel day in 2023? Likely no. This year, July 5 falls on a Wednesday, one of the cheapest days to fly year-round. Plus, according to TSA’s data, July 5 has been a consistently light travel day. In 2019, July 5 was the lightest travel day for the week after the holiday (July 5 fell on a Friday that year).

Moreover, for U.S. domestic economy tickets in 2022, Wednesdays were about 22% lower than peak prices on Sundays, according to a NerdWallet analysis of Hopper data.

July Fourth travelers in 2023 can feel confident that a July 5 flight itinerary will afford them cheaper airfare plus less congested airport queues.

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:

Source: nerdwallet.com

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Imagine for a moment that it’s morning and you’re about to wake up: Your alarm rings and you grab your smartphone from the bedside table. You’re still disoriented, but you decide to check your emails and something you see on the screen jolts you wide awake.

It’s a cheap flight alert to Japan from a subscription service you’d signed up for ages ago.

The deal looks too good to pass up, but there’s one problem: You don’t have a passport. So you wonder, “Can I book an international flight without a passport?”

Whether someone has never held a passport or they’re still waiting on a passport renewal, not everyone has a passport on them at all times.

So, can you book an international flight without a passport? Let’s take a closer look.

Do you need a passport to book an international flight?

Thankfully for daydreaming travelers, the answer is no.

In most cases, U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to book an international flight. However, you do need one to check in for your flight and get on a plane, and the document has to be valid. For instance, European countries that are in the Schengen area require at least six months of passport validity. Otherwise, you won’t be able to board a plane to countries in the region.

Other countries have different rules. For example, Mexico only requires your passport to be valid at the time of travel, so make sure to check the U.S. Department of State website for your destination’s requirements before traveling abroad.

Domestic trips within the United States don’t require a passport as long as you have a state ID or are enrolled in Clear.

How much does a U.S. passport cost?

The cost of a U.S. passport depends on whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing an expired passport.

First-time adult applicants will pay the following to get a new U.S. passport:

  • Passport book: $130.

  • Passport card: $30.

  • Passport book and card: $160.

  • Execution (acceptance) fee: $35.

The execution/acceptance fee must be paid for first-time applications, so all in: First-time passport book applicants can expect to pay around $165 total.

Applicants requesting to renew their passport will pay less because the acceptance fee doesn’t apply, so they’ll just pay the passport book or passport card cost listed above.

If you need a fast turnaround, expedited service costs an additional $60, and two-day delivery is listed for another $19.53.

How to apply for a U.S. passport

If you’re applying for a passport as a first-time applicant, follow the steps for an in-person application at a passport acceptance facility.

  • Fill out a form (new passport, renewal, data corrections, name changes).

  • Provide evidence of U.S. citizenship (with a photocopy).

  • Present ID (with a photocopy).

  • Provide a photo.

  • Calculate fees and provide a check or a money order payable to the U.S. Department of State (debit or credit cards aren’t accepted).

  • Submit all the documents to a passport acceptance facility.

  • Track your application status online.

Note that the acceptance fee will be charged separately. To locate a passport acceptance facility in your area, enter your ZIP code on this page.

In most cases, it’ll be a public library, a post office or a local government office.

Some states have passport agencies that can process your passport application within 14 days of international travel or within 28 days if you need to apply for a visa, but they’re open by appointment only.

How to renew a U.S. passport

Renewing a U.S. passport requires sending an application by mail. In fact, it’s not possible to renew a U.S. passport at a passport acceptance facility unless you don’t qualify for a mail-in renewal.

To be eligible for a renewal by mail, the following must be true:

  • You can submit your old passport with your application.

  • The passport isn’t damaged.

  • It’s never been reported lost or stolen.

  • It was issued in the last 15 years.

  • It was issued when you were 16 or older.

  • It was issued in your current name (unless you have a marriage certificate or a divorce decree to support a name change).

  • It wasn’t limited to fewer than 10 years because of multiple issues with passport theft, loss or damage.

Note that once you renew your passport, you’ll get a new passport number, so if you saved your passport number in a frequent flyer account, you’ll have to update the number and the expiration date before you can check in for an international flight.

The U.S. Department of State also has tested online renewals, but the service has been put on hold for now.

How long will you wait for a U.S. passport?

In 2023, the U.S. Department of State is on track to set the record for the number of passports processed. The department estimates 10 to 13 weeks for routine passport service and seven to nine weeks for expedited service.

It’s worth noting that mailing times aren’t included in the estimate, so you’ll have to account for that as well.

In short, you will need plenty of lead time to receive it before the travel date.

The bottom line

You don’t need a passport number to book an international flight. However, make sure to leave enough time for a passport renewal or a new application because it can take a while to process.

If you think you’re going to travel internationally, we recommend applying as soon as possible to have a passport ready. You don’t want to miss out on a great flight deal to Japan — or anywhere else — simply because you don’t have the required documents for international travel.

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:

Source: nerdwallet.com