Travel Money

YOUR MONEY YOUR WAY

Travel money, hays travel foreign exchange, 4 great ways to buy your holiday money, click & collect.

Great rates & currency expertise come as standard with our Click & collect service & with no minimum spend, your holiday money is just a few clicks away. 

This brings the total quotes to £000.00

£000.00 for currency

£000.00 for Buy Back Guarantee

Guarantee Peace of mind when buying your currency from Hays Travel   

Save money on your unused currency with our Buyback Guarantee^

Return your unused currency for the same rate as you purchased it.   

Available on all currencies sold in cash.   

Available on multiple currency transactions   

Available Instore & online   

Terms & Conditions

Exchange Rates

Always great value and no minimum spend*

  • Euro 1.1429
  • US Dollar 1.2263
  • Australian Dollar 1.8441
  • Bulgarian Lev 2.1434
  • Canadian Dollar 1.6473
  • Czech Koruna 27.1741
  • Danish Krone 8.2761
  • Hungarian Forint 431.4958
  • Icelandic Krona 160.595
  • Indonesia Rupiah 18493.7189
  • Mexican Peso 19.7716
  • New Zealand Dollar 2.0145
  • Norwegian Krone 13.0535
  • Polish Zloty 4.6813
  • South African Rand 22.7721
  • Sweden Krona 12.962
  • Swiss Franc 1.1029
  • Turkish Lira 36.9675
  • Thai Baht 43.0146
  • United Arab Emirates Dirham 4.2796

Travel Money Card

  • Use anywhere Mastercard® prepaid is accepted worldwide.
  • Carry less cash.
  • Top up in 15 currencies including Euro, US Dollar, Australian Dollars and UAE Dirhams.
  • Phone support available worldwide 24/7.
  • Manage on the go via Hays Travel Currency Card App.

hays travel money today

Connect to your google pay wallet

You can now link your Hays Travel Mastercard with Google Pay for swift and secure transactions wherever you go. Say goodbye to carrying physical cards and hello to effortless payments with just a tap of your phone. Simplify your travel experience today!

Hays Travel Money Card

BUY YOUR HAYS TRAVEL MASTERCARD

The Hays Travel Money Card is the safe and easy way to take your money on holiday!

It is free to use in millions of locations worldwide where Mastercard Prepaid is accepted: including restaurants, bars, and shops when you spend in a currency loaded on the card.

This easy-to-use pre-paid card allows contactless transactions, chip and PIN, worldwide cash withdrawals wherever you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark, and also 24/7 phone support.

Take your money card with you on every holiday, simply top up and go!

  • BUY IN BRANCH

WHY CHOOSE HAYS TRAVEL?

For your next departure, buy your holiday money from Hays Travel. Always commission free currency with competitive online and high street exchange rates.

  • Wide selection of currencies available
  • Hundreds of nationwide Hays Travel branches offering on-demand Foreign Exchange; buy from branch to receive high quality customer service from the travel experts or order online for convenient home delivery
  • 0% commission when we buy and sell foreign currency

Home Delivery

Ordering currency from the comfort of you own home has never been easier, with our great rates & over 60 currencies to choose from as well as next day delivery why not chose your currency to be delivered to your doorstep? 

Hays Travel Home Delivery

Holiday Money to your door

Order before 3pm for next working day home delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery. *Customer must be home to sign for delivery. Over 60 currencies to select from. Free delivery on all orders £500 and over Convenient Saturday delivery available for no extra charge Minimum order value of £200 up to a maximum of £2500 Peace of mind, your local Hays Travel branch will buy back any leftover currency purchased through Hays Home Delivery commission free

Call Into a Branch

With over 400 branches to choose from arranging your holiday money has never been more convenient – Why not call into branch today where one of our experienced & Friendly Foreign Exchange Consultants will be on hand with our great rates, expert advice & fantastic service. 

Hays Travel Holiday Money In Branch

Bank on our branches for your Holiday Money

Over 400 branches Nationwide - Use our branch locator to find your nearest Hays Travel branch.

A wide selection of currencies & Hays Travel Money Cards available Instantly in-store

Competitive high street rates and always commission free

Exotic Currency Ordering service – Over 70 currencies available to order

Buyback Guarantee – Save money on your leftover Currency.

All major currencies Bought Back Commission Free

Experienced & Friendly Staff instore

  • FIND YOUR NEAREST BRANCH

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Hays Travel Currency Card

Content rating

About this app

Data safety.

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What's new

App support.

Hays Travel Currency Card 4+

Hays travel ltd.

  • 4.7 • 4K Ratings

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Description.

The official app for Hays Travel Prepaid Travel Card.   Hays Travel Card is free to use worldwide in millions of locations.  Use the app to fully manage your travel card account and stay in control of your holiday finances.  Travel Card is not linked to your bank account and is a safer option than carrying cash.  Take your Hays Travel Card with you on every holiday, simply top up and go ▪ Use worldwide anywhere Mastercard is accepted ▪ Easy to use, contactless transactions and chip & pin ▪ Worldwide cash withdrawals ▪ Phone support available worldwide 24/7 FEATURES OF THE APP ▪ 16 different currencies available to instantly top up and reload multiple currencies – from anywhere in the world. ▪ Real time balance check ▪ Lock-in exchange rates so you’ll know exactly how much money you have to spend ▪ Transfer between currencies ▪ Keep a track of your spending, view your transactions ▪ Report your card lost or stolen and check your card pin ▪ Manage your personal details

Version 6.0.0

▪ We've addressed various defects and improvements to ensure a smoother and more reliable app experience.

Ratings and Reviews

Generally accepted where other credit/debit cards are accepted. Only had a couple of occasions when it wasn’t able to be used, eg a theatre in New York - had to be a credit card to purchase tickets. Used in NY and in Norway so far and not had any problems to speak of. The biggest problem was initially trying to add funds in the US but the problem was with my phone roaming, not the card/app. Doesn’t allow for Norwegian Krone so we switched to Euros from US dollars as some shops in Norway accepted Euros. It’s easy to switch funds between currencies. Heading to Rome next and have loaded more Euros - fingers crossed it will be accepted with no problems. I wouldn’t recommend it as your only option but it’s definitely worth having as your main card.

Developer Response ,

Thank you for your kind review. We hope you continue to enjoy the benefits of your Hays Travel Money Card

Brilliant card to use abroad

Instead of using your own card abroad, you can use the Hays travel card you can see on the app how much money you’ve got, and you can also keep a check on the money being used, easier than trying to access your own bank abroad. So if you need to use the card abroad, use the travel card and once you are home, you can transfer the money back to your own account or I have used the card back home in the UK after transferring the money back to sterling, well recommended
Thank you for your kind review and feedback. We hope you continue to enjoy the benefits of your Hays Travel Money Card

Good until it goes wrong

Just used this on one trip so far. Whilst in the country I was visiting it was great to know that I wasn’t attracting exorbitant fees and it was all smooth. That was until I tried to top up my funds and it kept going wrong. I phoned the helpline and the only advice they had was to try from a computer browser. (Rather than in the app) I did and I still had no luck. The helpline suggested that I tried calling my own bank. I did that, I should also at this point declare that I work within the payment card industry. I was able to get my bank to trace exactly what was happening. We did see the attempted transaction. However Mastercard was not responding to the 3D secure challenge (a form of 2Factor verification) This left me having to use my normal debit card. I couldn’t top up my travel card. It sort of left me disappointed that the Hays side of things couldn’t give me answers and caused me to have bank charges that should’ve been avoided. Otherwise it would have been five stars. A bit of advice if you are considering this card. Check before travelling that you can top up from your source of funds.
Sorry to hear to hear you have experienced issue with the App, Mastercard have been carrying out intermittent maintenance which could have affected the App verification function. If you can send full details of the issues including any error messages to [email protected] they will investigate this further for you as to exactly why this has happened.

App Privacy

The developer, Hays Travel Ltd , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

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Important Notice: We are performing essential maintenance on 27th April between 09:00 AM UTC to 28th April 11:00 AM UTC. As a result, the websites and mobile app may be unavailable. You will however still be able to use your card for purchases and at ATMs. We apologies for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

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Hays Travel Money Prepaid Currency Card is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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Hays travel money review | your ultimate companion for financial ease on travelling, more in reviews:.

hays travel money today

Are you tired of the hassle involved in managing currencies and worrying about hidden fees? If thats the case it sounds like you’re someone who travels frequently and finds these issues troublesome.

Look no further than Hays Travel Money—it’s the solution you need. With this partner you can enjoy simple and effortless transactions no matter where your activities take you.

Table of Contents

What is Hays Travel Money?

Hays Travel Money is a platform specifically designed to simplify currency exchange and money management for travelers. It offers a user interface and ensures high levels of security. With Hays Travel Money accessing your funds in currencies becomes a breeze without having to worry about excessive fees or unfavorable exchange rates. Whether its a business trip or a well deserved vacation Hays Travel Money has got you covered.

How Hays Travel Money Works?

It’s quite straightforward! When using Hays Travel Money you have the convenience of preloading your account with funds, in currencies. You can then use these funds for purchases while traveling. Hays Travel Money offers an secure solution for managing your finances while traveling. It eliminates the need to carry amounts of cash or incur hefty fees for transactions in foreign countries.

How to Create an Hays Travel Money Account?

Getting started with Hays Travel Money is an efficient process. To begin using their services simply visit their website. Download their mobile app. Signing up is easy to understand; you just need to verify your identification and provide some information. Once you’ve completed these steps you can start adding funds to your account away.

How to Use Hays Travel Money?

Using Hays Travel Money is incredibly simple—just swipe your card. Use the app on your phone. Once you have funds loaded onto your account you can enjoy activities such, as making purchases withdrawing cash from ATMs and sending money to other users. The best part is that there are no fees or exchange rates to worry about.

Hays Travel Money Features

Hays Travel Money boasts a range of features designed to make your travel experience as smooth as possible. These include:

  • Multi-currency support: Load funds in multiple currencies onto your account.
  • Low fees: Enjoy competitive exchange rates and minimal transaction fees.
  • Security: Benefit from robust security measures to protect your funds from unauthorized access.
  • Convenience: Access your funds anytime, anywhere, with the Hays Travel Money card or app.

Hays Travel Money Pros and Cons

  • Convenient and easy to use.
  • Competitive exchange rates and low fees.
  • Multi-currency support.
  • Secure transactions.
  • Limited availability in certain regions.
  • May not be suitable for travelers who prefer cash transactions.

Does Hays Travel Money Have an App?

Yes, Hays Travel Money offers a user-friendly mobile app available for download on both iOS and Android devices. The app provides all the functionality of the web platform, allowing you to manage your account, track transactions, and access customer support on the go.

Hays Travel Money Comparison with Other Similar Platforms

Compared to platforms Hays Travel Money stands out due, to its highly intuitive layout, competitive currency rates and robust security features. Some platforms offer similar services but what sets Hays Travel Money apart from its competitors is their strong commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction.

Hays Travel Money Benefits

The benefits of using Hays Travel Money are clear:

  • Convenience: Access your funds anytime, anywhere.
  • Savings : Enjoy competitive exchange rates and low fees.
  • Security: Benefit from robust security measures to protect your funds.

Code Promo Hays Travel Money

Hays Travel Money occasionally offers promotional codes and discounts to its users. Be sure to keep an eye out for these offers to maximize your savings and make the most of your travel budget .

Hays Travel Money Pricing

Hays Travel Money’s pricing is transparent and competitive, with low fees and favorable exchange rates. While specific fees may vary depending on the type of transaction and currency involved, users can rest assured that they are getting excellent value for their money.

Who Owns Hays Travel Money

Hays Travel Money is owned by Hays Travel, a reputable travel agency with a long-standing reputation for excellence in customer service and satisfaction. With Hays Travel’s backing, you can trust that your funds are in safe hands.

Is Hays Travel Money Legit

Yes, Hays Travel Money is a legitimate and reputable platform trusted by travelers around the world. With robust security measures in place and a commitment to customer satisfaction, you can use Hays Travel Money with confidence.

Is Hays Travel Money Ethical

Hays Travel Money operates with the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, fairness, and integrity in all its dealings. With a focus on customer satisfaction and responsible business practices, Hays Travel Money sets the bar for ethical conduct in the travel finance industry.

Is Hays Travel Money a US Company

While Hays Travel Money is not based in the US, it offers its services to travelers worldwide, including those from the United States. With global accessibility and multi-currency support, Hays Travel Money is the perfect companion for US travelers exploring destinations near and far.

Hays Travel Money Review Conclusion

In conclusion, Hays Travel Money is a game-changer for travelers seeking convenience, savings , and security on their journeys. With its user-friendly interface, competitive exchange rates, and robust security features, Hays Travel Money sets the standard for excellence in travel finance. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a first-time adventurer, Hays Travel Money is your ultimate companion for financial ease on the go.

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Hays Travel Euro Exchange Rates Compared

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What Currency do you want to buy?

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Hays Travel is in position 34 for Euros

About buying travel money.

Buying travel cash online is typically the easiest and cheapest way of buying travel cash. Compare Travel Cash is a free resource to help you find the best currency deals on the internet right now.Our Clever technology is constantantly updating rates from over 60 suppliers to ensure the price you see is what you pay*, we even factor in delier costs into the prices you see you can see at a glance what are the best currency deals in the UK right now.

Currency delivered is normally delivered the next day is fully insured by the Royal Mail.

Questions about Hays Travel

How does the process work for buying currency online.

You need to place an order on the currency suppliers’ site you decide on, and pay for your currency. Each currency supplier will have different payment options, but the options are usually bank transfer, debit card, with some suppliers offering payment by Apple pay and Android pay. Once your order has been confirmed your order will prepared and your currency sent to you by registered delivery, some suppliers even offer next day delivery.

Can I collect my money in person?

We currently only compare currency suppliers that deliver currency.

Is the money sent to me fully insured?

Yes, all currency sent is fully insured.

Is it safe to order money online?

YAll the currency suppliers we show on our website are FCA regulated and we also carry out our own checks. We do however advise all customers to conduct their own due diligence and checks.

Are the rates always the same on the supplier website as on the Compare Travel Cash site?

We constantly update our exchange rates as they change for each supplier, and whilst we try to do this in almost real-time, there will be times when we our data is slightly out of date (in normal circumstances not more than 1 minute).

How can I sell my unused travel currency online?

Once you have made your choice of which currency buyback company you wish to use click on the “More Info” button next to your chosen supplier. You will then be automatically redirected to the website to be able to sell your currency.

What is the process for selling back my unused travel money?

To exchange your unused travel currency, fill in the form on the currency buyback company website and print the order details form and send it together with your currency to the currency company. The equivalent Sterling pounds wills be transferred into your bank within a few days.

How long does it take to receive the money in my bank account?

Typically a few days.

How up to date are your tourist exchange rates?

Our tourist rates are virtually realtime, we update our tourist rates approximatly every minute at least.

Why do the tourist exchange rates change so often?

The foreign exchange market is always open, so exchange rates are constantly moving, suppliers react to this and periodically set their tourist exchange rates based on what the market dictates.

Can I get better tourist exchange rates if I go direct?

The simple answer is no, in fact we have preferential rates from some suppliers so you will hopefully save money when using our site to find the best tourist exchange rates.

If I buy now from a supplier will they honour the tourist exchange rate at the point of order?

Yes, as long as you adhere to a suppliers terms and conditions, some suppliers accept bank transfers so they may need to receive the money in a certain time period to guaranatee any tourist rate you ordered. The best advice is to review the terms and conditions on the website of supplier you choose.

What is the Hays Travel Euro rate?

The Hays Travel Euro rate is currently 1.1427.

The best pound to euro exchange rate now is 1.1575, which is available from Covent Garden FX.

The worst exchange rate is 1.1133. The difference between the highest and the lowest is 3.82%. This means that if you are buying £750 worth of euros you will get €33.15 more euros by buying with the best euro provider.

This shows you it pays to shop around and get the best rates on travel money!

Euro exchange rate over the last week.

This shows you the best pound to euro exchange rate recorded daily from our UK suppliers over the last week.

In the last 7 days, the rate for Euros has fallen by 0.39%.

If you were to order £1,000 today you would get €4.50 less euros for your money than last week.

How do we source the data above? We receive rate feeds travel money suppliers and aggreate the data each evening we save the average rate that occured during the day, and also include the current best rate

How to get the best euro exchange rate.

We compare the pound to euro exchange rates from many of the UK’s biggest travel money providers including exclusively online providers as well as some of the well-known high street banks and supermarket travel money services. Our clever algorithms ensure you get the latest euro rates and see who is offering the best euro to pound currency deals .

Compare Travel cash is a free service that takes the pain and effort out of finding the best exchange rates for buying euro online . Don't forget the price we quote is the price you pay, we calculate the amount including any fees and delivery costs!

pound to euro

Buying Euros online FAQs

Hundreds of customers safely buy euros through online travel money providers sites every day and have a great experience. However, as with ordering anything online, the process is never completely risk-free and you should always take care when transferring money to any company. Compare Travel Cash undertake comprehensive checks on all of our online travel money providers and monitor them to make sure they meet our high standards and continue to do so. Having said that, no company is guaranteed not to come into trouble and we cannot guarantee the solvency of any of the providers listed on our website. We always recommend that you conduct your own due diligence before placing an order with any company.

Its simple! Choose the travel money provider you would like to buys euros from, then: 1. Fill in your details. 2. Select your preferred payment option and make the payment. - Each currency supplier will have different payment options, but the options are usually bank transfer, debit card, with some suppliers offering payment by Apple Pay and Android pay. 3.Enter your delivery preferences whether you want your currency delivered to your door or collection (depending on the supplier). 4.Once your order has been confirmed your order will be prepared and your currency sent to you by registered delivery, some suppliers even offer next day delivery.

Not Usually! We constantly update our exchange rates as they change for each supplier, we try to do this in almost real-time, (in normal circumstances not more than 1 minute difference). Also we sometimes have exclusive offers that you won't find by going direct.

Of course! If you want to exchange euros into pounds you can see the best buy back rate on euros and many other currencies using our buy back comparison tool .

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CompareTravelCash.co.uk is a price comparison service that's designed to help you save money – whilst we do our best to ensure the site is 100% up-to-date, we cannot guarantee this. We advise you to carry out your own due diligence before buying or selling travel money.

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Clermont county man accused of pretending he was kidnapped to get money.

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A Clermont County man is facing charges after police said he pretended he was being kidnapped in an effort to receive money.

According to police, Travis Hays, 21, sent a victim text messages pretending to be someone holding Hays against his will and demanding $2,500 for his release.

After an investigation and speaking with Hays' friends and family, police said the victim and Hays' family became suspicious that it was Hays sending the text messages because he had done other things to get money from them.

Police learned that at the time those messages were sent, Hays was safe and in the care of Clermont Mercy Hospital.

Hays has now been charged with extortion, telecommunications fraud and intimidation.

Hays Travel Mastercard

Travel Money Card With Hays Travel

Free spending money with the hays travel mastercard ®.

Enjoy FREE holiday spending money until February 29th 2024 when you buy a Hays Travel Mastercard® online or in branch.

Load a minimum of £50 on purchase and get an extra £10 on us!

No wonder we're the Nation's Favourite Foreign Exchange provider.

The Hays Travel Mastercard® is free to use in millions of locations worldwide where Mastercard® Prepaid is accepted when you spend in a currency loaded on the card: including restaurants, bars, and shops. This easy-to-use pre-paid card allows contactless transactions, chip and PIN, worldwide cash withdrawals, and also 24/7 phone support. Take your currency card with you on every holiday, simply top up and go! Just call into your local Hays Travel branch today to purchase your Hays Travel Prepaid Travel Money Card. *Valid ID required in branch (Driving license, Passport)

Hays Travel Money Card

BUY YOUR HAYS TRAVEL MASTERCARD

The Hays Travel Money Card is the safe and easy way to take your money on holiday!

  • BUY IN BRANCH

mobile app

Connect to your google pay wallet

You can now link your Hays Travel Mastercard with Google Pay for swift and secure transactions wherever you go. Say goodbye to carrying physical cards and hello to effortless payments with just a tap of your phone. Simplify your travel experience today!

The Hays Travel Currency Card app

The Hays Travel Currency Card App enables you to fully manage your travel card account and stay in control of your holiday finances at home and abroad. The app enables you to:

  • Instantly top up multiple different currencies from anywhere in the world
  • Check your real time balance
  • Lock-in exchange rates when you top up and transfer money between currencies
  • Keep track of your spending and view transactions
  • Freeze/Unfreeze your card
  • Check your card PIN
  • Manage your personal details

Guarantee Peace of mind when buying your currency from Hays Travel   

Save money on your unused currency with our Buyback Guarantee *  

Return your unused currency for the same rate as you purchased it.   

Available on all currencies sold in cash.   

Available on multiple currency transactions   

Available Instore & online   

Terms & Conditions

Download our app here

Manage the card on the go via Hays Travel Currency Card App

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Two large banks that cater to the tech industry have collapsed after a bank run , government agencies are taking emergency measures to backstop the financial system, and President Joe Biden is reassuring Americans that the money they have in banks is safe.

It's all eerily reminiscent of the financial meltdown that began with the bursting of the housing bubble 15 years ago. Yet the initial pace this time around seems even faster.

Over the last three days, the U.S. seized the two financial institutions after a bank run on Silicon Valley Bank, based in Santa Clara, California. It was the largest bank failure since Washington Mutual went under in 2008.

How did we get here? And will the steps the government unveiled over the weekend be enough?

Here are some questions and answers about what has happened and why it matters:

WHY DID SILICON VALLEY BANK FAIL?

Silicon Valley Bank had already been hit hard by a rough patch for technology companies in recent months and the Federal Reserve’s aggressive plan to increase interest rates to combat inflation compounded its problems.

The bank held billions of dollars worth of Treasuries and other bonds, which is typical for most banks as they are considered safe investments. However, the value of previously issued bonds has begun to fall because they pay lower interest rates than comparable bonds issued in today’s higher interest rate environment.

That's usually not an issue either because bonds are considered long term investments and banks are not required to book declining values until they are sold. Such bonds are not sold for a loss unless there is an emergency and the bank needs cash.

Silicon Valley, the bank that collapsed Friday, had an emergency. Its customers were largely startups and other tech-centric companies that needed more cash over the past year, so they began withdrawing their deposits. That forced the bank to sell a chunk of its bonds at a steep loss, and the pace of those withdrawals accelerated as word spread, effectively rendering Silicon Valley Bank insolvent .

WHAT DID THE GOVERNMENT DO SUNDAY?

The Federal Reserve, the U.S. Treasury Department, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation decided to guarantee all deposits at Silicon Valley Bank, as well as at New York's Signature Bank, which was seized on Sunday. Critically, they agreed to guarantee all deposits, above and beyond the limit on insured deposits of $250,000.

Many of Silicon Valley's startup tech customers and venture capitalists had far more than $250,000 at the bank. As a result, as much as 90% of Silicon Valley's deposits were uninsured. Without the government's decision to backstop them all, many companies would have lost funds needed to meet payroll, pay bills, and keep the lights on.

The goal of the expanded guarantees is to avert bank runs — where customers rush to remove their money — by establishing the Fed’s commitment to protecting the deposits of businesses and individuals and calming nerves after a harrowing few days.

Also late Sunday, the Federal Reserve initiated a broad emergency lending program intended to shore up confidence in the nation’s financial system.

Banks will be allowed to borrow money straight from the Fed in order to cover any potential rush of customer withdrawals without being forced into the type of money-losing bond sales that would threaten their financial stability. Such fire sales are what caused Silicon Valley Bank's collapse.

If all works as planned, the emergency lending program may not actually have to lend much money. Rather, it will reassure the public that the Fed will cover their deposits and that it is willing to lend big to do so. There is no cap on the amount that banks can borrow, other than their ability to provide collateral.

HOW IS THE PROGRAM INTENDED TO WORK?

Unlike its more byzantine efforts to rescue the banking system during the financial crisis of 2007-08, the Fed's approach this time is relatively straightforward. It has set up a new lending facility with the bureaucratic moniker, “Bank Term Funding Program.”

The program will provide loans to banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions for up to a year. The banks are being asked to post Treasuries and other government-backed bonds as collateral.

The Fed is being generous in its terms: It will charge a relatively low interest rate — just 0.1 percentage points higher than market rates — and it will lend against the face value of the bonds, rather than the market value. Lending against the face value of bonds is a key provision that will allow banks to borrow more money because the value of those bonds, at least on paper, has fallen as interest rates have moved higher.

As of the end of last year U.S. banks held Treasuries and other securities with about $620 billion of unrealized losses , according to the FDIC. That means they would take huge losses if forced to sell those securities to cover a rush of withdrawals.

HOW DID THE BANKS END UP WITH SUCH BIG LOSSES?

Ironically, a big chunk of that $620 billion in unrealized losses can be tied to the Federal Reserve's own interest-rate policies over the past year .

In its fight to cool the economy and bring down inflation, the Fed has rapidly pushed up its benchmark interest rate from nearly zero to about 4.6%. That has indirectly lifted the yield, or interest paid, on a range of government bonds, particularly two-year Treasuries, which topped 5% until the end of last week.

When new bonds arrive with higher interest rates, it makes existing bonds with lower yields much less valuable if they must be sold. Banks are not forced to recognize such losses on their books until they sell those assets, which Silicon Valley was forced to do.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES?

They're very important. Legally, the FDIC is required to pursue the cheapest route when winding down a bank. In the case of Silicon Valley or Signature, that would have meant sticking to rules on the books, meaning that only the first $250,000 in depositors' accounts would be covered.

Going beyond the $250,000 cap required a decision that the failure of the two banks posed a “systemic risk." The Fed's six-member board unanimously reached that conclusion. The FDIC and the Treasury Secretary went along with the decision as well.

WILL THESE PROGRAMS SPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS?

The U.S. says that guaranteeing the deposits won't require any taxpayer funds. Instead, any losses from the FDIC's insurance fund would be replenished by a levying an additional fee on banks.

Yet Krishna Guha, an analyst with the investment bank Evercore ISI, said that political opponents will argue that the higher FDIC fees will “ultimately fall on small banks and Main Street business.” That, in theory, could cost consumers and businesses in the long run.

WILL IT ALL WORK?

Guha and other analysts say that the government's response is expansive and should stabilize the banking system, though share prices for medium-sized banks, similar to Silicon Valley and Signature, plunged Monday.

“We think the double-barreled bazooka should be enough to quell potential runs at other regional banks and restore relative stability in the days ahead,” Guha wrote in a note to clients.

Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics, said the Fed's lending program means banks should be able to "ride out the storm.”

“These are strong moves,” he said.

Yet Ashworth also added a note of caution: “Rationally, this should be enough to stop any contagion from spreading and taking down more banks ... but contagion has always been more about irrational fear, so we would stress that there is no guarantee this will work.”

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light-rail Blue Line

Branham Escalator Out of Service

light-rail Orange Line

Milpitas Station Light Rail Elevator Out of Service

Orange line: bus bridge due to light rail rehab (04/24/24-04/28/24), great mall station elevator #1 out of service.

frequent Rapid 522

Routes 22, 64B & 522: Reroute Due to Preston Pipelines Construction - 4/16/24-5/26/24 (7:00PM-5:30AM)

Routes 21, 59, & 60: reroute due to lam research heart & souls run - 4/27/24 (6:30am-10:30am).

frequent 22

Route 22: Temporary Bus Stop Closure at El Camino & Rengstorff (03/01/24-11/01/26)

Route 22: temporary bus stop closure at el camino & portage (2/22/24-till further notice), route 22 & 64b: temporary bus stop closure at the alameda & morrison ave (10/2/23 - 1/18/24).

For more information about the April 24-28 Bus Bridge, please visit our Light Rail Rehab page .

2 Hours of FREE Transfers when you purchase a single-ride fare using Clipper.

Please have exact change ready when boarding.

Available for purchase using:

Single Ride

  • YES See afternote for more information

8-Hour Light Rail Pass

Monthly Pass

Annual Pass

The Day Pass Accumulator feature ensures the Clipper® cash rider will never pay more than the price of a Day Pass.

Just load your Clipper card with cash, tag it upon boarding, and once you’ve paid the equivalent of a Day Pass, any further local rides that day will be free.

VTA light rail operates on a proof-of-payment system. All light rail passengers must have a valid fare before boarding light rail. Clipper patrons must tag their Clipper card before boarding a light rail vehicle. 

Fare inspectors regularly patrol the system and ask passengers at random to produce a valid transit pass. Violators are subject to fines and can lose their transit privileges. Failure to comply with VTA's fare policy is in violation of California Penal Code 640. Violation of California Penal Code 640 is punishable up to the maximum penalty allowed by law.

If you have been cited for not having valid fare and need information on how to pay the fine, you can use the Santa Clara County Public Access Traffic Case Information Website. Information can be found by visiting the Santa Clara County Superior Court's website.

Payment for a single ride with Clipper will be valid for 2 hours of FREE transfers across VTA buses and light rail. Express bus fare is required for any trip that includes express service.

Adult passengers traveling from a local bus to an Express bus will have to pay a surcharge of $2.50: 

  • Adult Clipper card users must pay the surcharge in the form of Clipper cash (only). Cash value must be loaded prior to tagging on the express route. The same Clipper card must be used when tagging from local to express routes. See details for SmartPass holders.
  • Youth and Senior/Disabled/Medicare riders who transfer from local to express service will not have a surcharge.

Monthly passes are valid for the calendar month purchased. They are not 31-day passes.

Monthly passes are available for purchase from the 16th of the previous month through the 15th of the pass month. For example, a monthly pass for July is available for purchase from June 16 through July 15.

Express bus fare is required for any trip that includes express service.

Express Fares are for Express Bus routes only. Youth and seniors pay their regular fare on Express Buses.

To qualify for the Senior/Disabled/Medicare fare, you must present one of the following:

  • Medicare Card
  • Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card or a valid card from another California transit provider
  • DMV Disabled License Plate registration
  • DMV Disabled Parking Placard printout
  • Proof of age (65 and older)

A valid picture I.D. may be required.

May ride VTA Express Bus service without an upgrade.

  • A valid picture I.D. may be required
  • May ride VTA Express Bus service without an upgrade
  • Children under five ride free
  • Youth Clipper Card will automatically convert into an adult card on your 19th birthday

A Clipper card makes it easy and affordable to ride VTA with free two-hour transfers.

You can load a Monthly Pass on your card, as well as cash value for Single Rides or a Day Pass.

SmartPass is a deeply discounted annual calendar-year pass institutions can provide to employees, residents or students

Fare Programs

Whether you’re going to festivals, movies, parades or other leisure destinations, the 8-Hour Excursion Pass is your ticket to fun on Light Rail!

Excursion Passes are sold only at light rail station ticket vending machines for use during major Levi's Stadium events.

They make getting there, and back, so much easier!

  • One pass is good for eight hours from the time of purchase
  • Passes cost the same as two Single Rides
  • After the fun, just hop onboard – you’ll already have your pass

Per VTA Board Approved Fare Policy: No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen Day Passes or Monthly Passes shall not be replaced.

For Conventions/Hotels only, the Convention Pass is just the ticket for savings and unlimited rides on VTA Light Rail and bus during any convention, seminar, meeting and other large gatherings.

  • Passes are 25% off of the regular Day Pass price from groups of 100 or more.​
  • Passes come in multiple day options (1-Day, 3-Day & 5-Day) for varying schedules.​
  • Scratch-off design allows cardholder to select days of use.
  • Orders must be submitted a minimum of 10 business days prior to the date needed.
  • For more information, please contact [email protected].

Per VTA Board Approved Fare Policy: Convention Passes are available only to Conventions/Hotels and not valid on Highway 17 Express. No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen Day Passes or Monthly Passes shall not be replaced.

Youth 18 and under enjoy unlimited rides on VTA bus and light rail with the Summer Youth Pass from June through August. That’s three months of travel for the price of two Youth Monthly passes!

Learn more about Summer Youth Pass.

This popular program allows teachers, grades K - 12, within Santa Clara County the opportunity to take their students on field trips traveling by VTA buses and light rail for free.

Each teacher is eligible to receive up to two “class passes” every school year. This allows students, teachers and chaperones to ride VTA buses and light rail to museums, cultural events, libraries, and other popular destinations for free.

The Class Pass Program transports over 50,000 teachers and students during each school year.

  • Complete our Class Pass Field Trip Application form at least three weeks prior to the scheduled trip for consideration and processing.
  • Once approved, your Class Pass and trip itinerary will be sent to you 2 weeks prior to your scheduled trip.

Learn more about the Class Pass Program.

Passengers with a valid Paratransit ID Card receive free rides on VTA Local, Express bus service and Light Rail. The pass is not honored on Highway 17 Express, Dumbarton Express, Caltrain and Sports Service.

You can pre-purchase monthly Adult, Youth, Senior/Disabled Passes for an entire year and have them sent to you each month. It's simple, saves you money and you can start anytime of the year.

The Annual Pass Subscription Program allows you to pre-purchase 12 monthly passes (for 12 consecutive months) for the price of 11 monthly passes.

Annual Pass Application  with Terms and Conditions.

​​Per VTA Board Approved Fare Policy: No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen Day Passes or Monthly Passes shall not be replaced.

Clipper START is a region-wide pilot program providing single-ride discounts to eligible riders.

Starting January 1 ,2024, patrons using a personalized START Clipper card are eligible to receive 50% discount on their Adult single-ride eCash fares upon tagging on VTA bus and light rail Clipper device.

To qualify you must be:

  • Be a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Be 19-64 years old.
  • Not have an RTC Clipper Card for people with disabilities.
  • Have a household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less.

For more information and to apply, visit Clipper's START page .

Regional Transfers

VTA has agreements with area transit operators to provide convenient transfers. These include:

  • Highway 17 Express

Regional Transit Connection

The Regional Transit Connection Discount Card is a version of the Clipper card issued to persons with disabilities.

With the card you can buy discounted VTA Senior/Disabled monthly passes using Clipper or load cash value onto the card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does vta require and enforce proof of payment on light rail, how do i use a ticket vending machine, where can i buy or load value on a clipper card, what are vta's regional transfer rules, what are the age limits for discounted fares, how do i use the farebox on vta buses, can i get a refund for lost or stolen passes.

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It is free to use in millions of locations worldwide where Mastercard Prepaid is accepted: including restaurants, bars, and shops when you spend in a currency loaded on the card.

This easy-to-use pre-paid card allows contactless transactions, chip and PIN, worldwide cash withdrawals wherever you see the Mastercard Acceptance Mark, and also 24/7 phone support.

Take your money card with you on every holiday, simply top up and go!

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Order before 3pm for next working day home delivery via Royal Mail Special Delivery. *Customer must be home to sign for delivery. Over 60 currencies to select from. Free delivery on all orders £500 and over Convenient Saturday delivery available for no extra charge Minimum order value of £200 up to a maximum of £2500 Peace of mind, your local Hays Travel branch will buy back any leftover currency purchased through Hays Home Delivery commission free

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Money latest: 'One of the most expensive decisions a person can make' could cost £163,000

New research has revealed the cost of having children. Crisps are on the menu today as we see where you can make healthier choices for the best value. And the boss of Sainsbury's has insisted customers like self-checkouts - do you agree? Leave your thoughts in the box below.

Friday 26 April 2024 14:18, UK

  • New research reveals cost of having children
  • Sainsbury's boss insists customers like self-checkouts
  • FTSE 100 hits another record high
  • Halifax hikes mortgage rates - as entire market moves upwards

Essential reads

  • Do smart meters actually save you money?
  • How to buy the healthiest crisps
  • The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical and where can you go?
  • Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
  • Savings Guide : Why locking into fixed-rate bond could be wise move
  • Cheap Eats : Michelin chef's secret lasagne tip - and expensive ingredient you shouldn't use

Ask a question or make a comment

Rishi Sunak has hailed the arrival of pay day with a reminder his government's additional National Insurance tax cut kicks in this month for the first time.

At last month's budget, the chancellor announced NI will be cut by a further 2p - so some workers will pay 8% of their earnings instead of the 12% if was before autumn.

The prime minister has repeated his claim this will be worth £900 for someone on the average UK salary.

While this additional cut - on top of the previous 2p cut in January - does equate to £900 for those on average full-time earnings of £35,000, there are two key issues with Mr Sunak's claim:

  • Once the effect of all income tax changes since 2021 are taken into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies reports an average earner will benefit from a tax cut of £340 - far less than £900;
  • Moreover, anyone earning less than £26,000 or between £55,000-£131,000 will ultimately be worse off.

In short, this is because NI cuts are more than offset by other tax rises.

We explain below how this is the case...

Tax thresholds

This is partly down to tax thresholds - the amount you are allowed to earn before you start paying tax (and national insurance) and before you start paying the higher rate of tax - will remain frozen. 

This means people end up paying more tax than they otherwise would, when their pay rises with inflation but the thresholds don't keep up. 

This phenomenon is known as "fiscal drag" and it's often called a stealth tax because it's not as noticeable immediately in your pay packet.

That low threshold of £12,570 has been in place since April 2021. 

The Office for Budget Responsibility says if it had increased with inflation it would be set at £15,220 for 2024/25.

If that were the case, workers could earn an extra £2,650 tax-free each year.

Less give, more take

Sky News analysis shows someone on £16,000 a year will pay £607 more in total - equivalent to more than three months of average household spending on food. 

Their income level means national insurance savings are limited but they are paying 20% in income tax on an additional £2,650 of earnings.

In its analysis , the IFS states: "In aggregate the NICs cuts just serve to give back a portion of the money that is being taken away through other income tax and NICs changes - in particular, multi-year freezes to tax thresholds at a time of high inflation."

Overall, according to the institute, for every £1 given back to workers by the National Insurance cuts, £1.30 will have been taken away due to threshold changes between 2021 and 2024.

This rises to £1.90 in 2027.

The UK could face a shortage of cava due to a drought in the sparking wine's Spanish heartlands.

The Penedes area of Catalonia is dealing with its worst drought on record, with vineyards across the region so parched the roots of 30-year-old vines have died.

It's left shrivelled red and green grapes languishing under intense sun, fuelled by fossil-fuel driven climate change.

Cava is an increasingly popular drink in the UK, with 17.8 million bottles sold in 2023 - an increase of 5% from the previous year, when Britons stocked up on 16.8 million bottles, according to the Cava Regulatory Board.

That makes the UK the fourth-biggest buyer, behind only the US, Belgium and Germany.

Workforce slashed

The problems have been compounded after Catalonia-based cava producer Freixenet announced it will temporarily lay off 615 workers, almost 80% of its workforce.

Under Spanish law, companies facing exceptional circumstances can lay off staff or reduce working hours.

This measure is expected to take effect from May and it is not known how long it will last.

Price rises

One industry source told retail publication The Grocer  that cava shortages would push up prices "certainly for next year" if there isn't enough supply.

This could last for years if the drought persists, they added.

Consumer expert Helen Dewdney told MailOnline the staff cuts at Freixenet can only mean one thing - price rises.

However, she added, supermarkets say they are not experiencing any issues right now.

Parents are being hammered by rising childcare costs, according to a new study that suggests they may spend more than £160,000 raising their child to the age of 18.

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown has found that parents with children pay £6,969 a year more than couples without.

Over 18 years and assuming an annual inflation rate of 3%, that amounts to a whopping £163,175, the investment platform said.

Its study also found that parents were less likely to have money left at the end of the month.

Single parents carry the biggest burden, with the research suggesting they have just £85 left on average compared to £365 for couples with children.

Hargreaves Lansdown also found just 23% of single parents reported having enough emergency savings to cover at least three months' worth of essential expenses, compared to 63% of couples with children.

Parents are also at a slight disadvantage when it comes to pensions, the research found, with only 43% of couples with children on track for a moderate retirement income, compared to 47% without. Only 17% of single parents have a decent projected pension fund.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the firm, said "having children is one of the most expensive decisions a person can make".

She adds that as a result of having a child, "financial resilience suffers across the board", and added: "For single parents, life is even tougher, and they face far lower resilience on almost every measure.

"It means we need all the help we can get."

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

One of the top stories shaking up the markets this morning is that UK-based mining company Anglo American has rejected a major $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover bid.

Details of the attempted buyout by Australian rival BHP emerged yesterday  - sending Anglo American shares soaring.

The deal would have created the world's biggest copper mining company - with the news coming as the price of the metal hit record highs this week.

However, Anglo American has now dismissed the proposal as "opportunistic" and said BHP had undervalued the company.

Anglo's shares are slightly down by 0.8% this morning - suggesting investors may not have given up hopes that a deal could eventually be agreed.

However, overall the FTSE 100 is up around 0.4% this morning, buoyed by strong reported earnings from US tech giants Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet.

It's helped the index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, hit yet another intraday (during the day) record of 8,136 points this morning.

The winning streak comes after a week of all-time highs on the index - including a record close of 8,078 points yesterday. The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Among the companies doing well this morning is NatWest - despite the bank reporting a fall in pre-tax profits of nearly 28% for the first quarter of the year.

Shares in the lender are up more than 3% after its results were better than expected by analysts.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, almost on a par with yesterday.

Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil has crept up slightly to $89 (£71).

Self-checkouts - they're like marmite, people seem to either love them or hate them.

But the boss of Sainsbury's has claimed that his customers do  enjoy using self-checkouts, despite criticism that that machines don't always provide the convenience promised.

Simon Roberts told The Telegraph that there are more of them in Sainsbury's stores "than a number of years ago" as shoppers like the "speedy checkout".

But despite this, he said there won't be a time when they'll replace cashiers completely.

"Over the last year, where we've put more self-checkouts in, we're always making sure that the traditional kind of belted checkout is there," he said.

His comments come after northern supermarket Booths ditched self-checkouts at all but two of its sites after customer feedback. 

Walmart and Costco in the US have also scaled back on the systems.

Let us know in the comments - do you love or hate self-checkouts?

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Smart meters save you money'

For this one, we've enlisted the help of Dr Steve Buckley, also known as the Energy Doctor and head of data science at Loop...

So do smart meters help you save? 

"The short answer is both yes and no," Steve says.

"Installing a smart meter by itself won't magically reduce your energy consumption. But, by giving you easy access to your energy usage data, smart meters pave the way for savings that you couldn't achieve otherwise."

Before smart meters, most households only found out how much energy they had used when the bill arrived. 

By that stage it's too late to address wasteful usage, leading to what's known as "bill shock". 

"With a smart meter, you can see your usage and costs in real-time through an in-home display or an app provided by your supplier," Steve says. 

"This immediate feedback encourages you to use less energy. If you measure it, you can control it."

In 2022, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero found that homes with smart meters used about 3.4% less electricity and 3% less gas. 

"This might not seem like a lot, but it adds up to a saving of over £50 per household annually," Steve says.  

If all homes in the UK made similar cuts, that would amount to savings of around £1.5bn and a potential reduction in CO2 emissions by about 2.7m tonnes each year. 

"Good for individual households but also great for the planet," Steve says. 

Smart meters are often installed at no extra cost to the consumer - it's effectively free data for households. 

Limitations

Smart meters are more or less what you make of them - a simple, free tool that allows you to see headline figures. 

However, "without detailed analysis, it's tough to identify and eliminate" where you could be wasting money, Steve says. 

Apps like Utrack, Loop and Hugo Energy can help you work out where you might be losing money by offering a more detailed breakdown if connected to your smart meter. 

Those tools are often free, but you may need to register your card details as proof of address. 

The tools give a number of useful insights, including looking at consumption in other households of similar size or monitoring where chunks of your money are going, such as to a faulty boiler or the "phantom load" (energy wasted by devices left on unnecessarily).

Myth or must?

Although smart meters alone don't reduce energy bills, they are a vital tool to help energy efficiency and cost savings. 

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without spending a lot.

In this series, which ends today after digging into yoghurt, bread, pasta, fruit juice and plant-based milk, we've tried to find the healthiest options in the supermarket for the best value.

Sunna Van Kampen,  founder of  Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing food in the search of healthier choices, has given his input for the past six weeks.

And for the final part of the series, we're looking at the nation's favourite snack: crisps. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, but to help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

We're a people obsessed: in the UK, we get through six billion packets of crisps a year.

Sunna has three easy tips for finding the tastiest options that are kinder to your body...

1. Understand the fat facts

"Typical crisps can be oil sponges and contain over 30% fat from low-quality vegetable oils that have been fried," Sunna says. 

"What we are on the lookout for those that buck the trend and stay away from the fat." 

So, he says, aim for crisps that contain less than 15% total fat.

2. Fibre up your snack time

"While crisps aren't exactly salad, some can offer more nutritional value than others," Sunna says.

"Check the labels for options that have more fibre or protein."

These help you feel fuller for longer and also keep your digestive system happy.

3. Portion control

"It's easy to demolish an entire bag in one sitting - however, many brands offer multipack bags that are portion-controlled, usually around 25g a bag," Sunna says.

Sticking to these helps to manage calorie intake and stops overindulging.

The big picture

"Small changes might not immediately seem like a lot but if you eat a bag a day with your lunch, we are talking about up to a whopping two litres of oil cut from your diet over the course of the year," Sunna says,

"This is not permission to eat crisps every day (enjoy as an occasional treat) but rather an indication of how small changes add up quickly overtime."

The good news is Sunna's recommendations are all similar in price to their popular, fattier rivals - so you don't need to make a bigger investment to reap some health benefits. 

We've included the prices for the brands' standard multipacks at Tesco - correct as of time of writing. 

Walkers Oven Baked - £1.95 for six-pack

"Around £1.95 for a pack of six, these crisps are baked, not fried, slashing the fat content to 13%, so a great option."

Popchips - £2.25 for five-pack

"These have just 13% fat content as they're popped rather than fried so are a great way to go reducing fat without compromising on the crunch."

And for some non-crisp options...

ProperCorn Popcorn - £2 for six-pack

Often described as "the healthier, lighter option", Sunna says ProperCorn "isn't actually the best option on the market for fat content at 17.4%".

That being said, you do get "double the fibre of standard crisps at 10.9g per 100g". 

At only £2 for a pack of six, it's well-priced, too.

Snack A Jacks - £2.20 for five-pack

"At only 8.3% fat per 100g, it's a great option at £2.20 for a pack of five."

Penn State Baked Pretzels - £1.50 for 175g bag

Now for Sunna's winner.

"The German classic is a great option at only 4.6% fat per 100g," he says.

One downfall is that they are not available in portioned bags, so be careful with the whole 175g bag for £1.50.

Want another option altogether?

"If you want to be even healthier, consider the switch to nuts, seeds or even dried cheese snacks," Sunna says.

"Higher in calories yes, but higher in good healthy fats too and are more satiating which will limit the chance of overeating."

The nutritionist's view -  from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food and health sciences at Teesside University...

"Baked instead of fried crisps is definitely a way forward as well as the popcorn suggestion," she says.

"We should also be aiming to look at the amount of protein and fibre found in products. For example, lentil and pea snacks are growing in popularity due to their higher protein and fibre values, so the focus should be more on looking for ingredients other than potatoes, oil and salt. 

"I also feel 'crisp' based snacks made in an air fryer are becoming more popular. These can include a wholemeal wrap with a small amount of oil added, and placed in the air fryer with paprika and other seasoning added for flavour. 

"Also, chickpeas in the air fryer make for a super delicious protein and fibre rich snack. They are cheaper than crisps and lower in fat since no oil has to be added."

Read more from this series... 

Halifax has become the latest major lender to up mortgage rates.

They are putting up a range of deals by 0.2%.

BM Solutions also announced increases today.

It follows similar moves by TSB, NatWest, Virgin, Barclays, Accord, Leeds Building Society, HSBC and Coventry last week.

Lenders are responding to swap rates - which dictate how much it costs to lend money - rising on the back of higher than expected US inflation data, and concerns this could delay interest rate cuts there. 

US trends often materialise elsewhere - though many economists are still expecting a base rate cut from 5.25% to 5% in the UK in June.

This is what average mortgage rates look like as of today...

Justin Moy, managing director of EHF Mortgages, told Newspage: "Yet more bad news for mortgage borrowers, as two of the biggest lenders announce increases to their fixed-rate products. 

"As mortgage rates creep up and past 5% even for those with the largest deposits, we seem to be lacking a clear strategy of the government or the Bank of England on how rates will eventually fall. 

"Even 2% inflation may not be enough to reverse the recent trends in rates."

Morrisons has launched two major changes for shoppers – with stores now offering travel money and trolleys featuring advertisements.

Announcing their bureau de change service, Morrisons said customers could exchange currencies in select stores or could place their money orders online at Morrisonstravelmoney.com.

Using the online service means customers can either click and collect their cash in certain Morrisons stores or at any of Eurochange's 240 branches. Alternatively, they can go for home delivery.

Services director at Morrisons, Jamie Winter, said the service "will provide our customers with easy access to a wide range of currencies at competitive exchange rates".

So far, stores in the following areas have travel money kiosks:

  • Basingstoke

In other news, the supermarket chain rolled out a new trolley advertising across 300 stores in a partnership with Retail Media Group.

A sweetener used in drinks, sauces, savoury and sweet foods and chewing gum can cause serious damage to people's health, according to a new study.

Neotame, a "relatively new" sweetener, could damage the intestine by causing damage to healthy bacteria in the gut, according to the study, leading it to become diseased and attack the gut wall.

The study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, found the negative effect of neotame "has the potential to influence a range of gut functions resulting in poor gut health", potentially impacting metabolic and inflammatory diseases, neuropathic pain, and neurological conditions.

The illnesses this could lead to include irritable bowel disease or insulin resistance.

Read the full story here ...

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Woman wins $1M in Oregon lottery raffle, credits $1.3B Powerball winner for reminder

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A forgotten lottery ticket stuffed in a Tupperware container made an Oregon woman a millionaire.

Leslie Carr, 52, a Portland resident, bought the $1 million lucky Raffle ticket for the March 15 drawing at a Fred Meyer in Happy Valley, the Oregon Lottery said .

“I had no idea I was the winner,” Carr told lottery officials. “If it weren’t for the billion-dollar Powerball winner making news, I would have forgot. We don’t check our tickets.”

After learning about the $1.326 billion Powerball win in her state, Carr took a trip to the grocery store where she purchased the tickets to check them. After checking almost all the tickets within her stash Carr checked the last one that gave her the message to visit the Oregon Lottery Headquarters. In disbelief she asked a Fred Meyer staff member to check her lucky ticket, the lottery said.

“I can’t cash this because your prize is worth over $1,000," the staff member told her.

The thought of winning cash from the lottery brought excitement to Carr.

“That’s when I started getting butterflies,” Carr told lottery officials.

Michigan woman wins: $2M lottery jackpot after buying ticket on the way to pick up pizza

'A dream come true': $1 million lottery win will help Oregon woman pay bills and travel

Claiming her $1million prize on Monday Carr, a medical receptionist, plans to take care of some bills before enjoying the rest of her money.

Starting with her mortgage Carr plans to pay off the home that she lives in with her husband. A nice gift to herself is buying a new truck. Carr told Oregon Lottery officials that the one she currently owns has a broken windshield.

After getting those tasks done Carr said she’d love to take a vacation in Hawaii.

Carr told lottery officials that the lottery win was, “a dream come true.”

What are the odds of winning the Raffle?

The odds of winning the $1 million top prize for the Raffle is 1 in 250,000 , the Oregon Lottery said .

The overall odds of winning the Raffle are 1 in 138.8 , the lottery said.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

In order to purchase a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store - and in a handful of states, you can get tickets online.

You can also order tickets online through  Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network , in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit  jackpocket.com/tos  for full terms.

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Trump's hush money trial

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Trump criminal trial wraps for the day after opening statements and first witness

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell in the courthouse

Key takeaways from opening statements and the first witness in Trump's hush money trial

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys delivered opening statements and the first witness — a former National Enquirer publisher — was called Monday in the historic and unprecedented criminal trial of a former president.

Each side got their first chance to lay out a theory of the case for jurors. Prosecutors told jurors that the reimbursement of hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels was part of a larger conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The former president’s attorneys responded by telling the jury that Trump was innocent and not involved in the creation of the 34 business records he’s charged with falsifying. They also pointedly added that there’s “nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.”

Here are key takeaways from Monday:

  • Prosecutors say Trump schemed "to corrupt the 2016 presidential election": The district attorney’s office framed the case for jurors as illegal payments to try to influence illicitly influence the 2016 election that Trump then tried to illegally cover up by falsifying business records. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo walked the jury through Trump’s efforts, along with Michael Cohen and former American Media Inc., chief David Pecker, to keep damaging information from coming to light during the 2016 election.
  • Defense says Donald Trump is innocent: Defense attorney Todd Blanche began his opening statement with a simple assertion: “Donald Trump is innocent.” Blanche told the jury that the story isn’t as simple as prosecutors laid out and argued that Trump was not involved with any of the business records he’s accused of falsifying beyond signing the checks. Blanche didn’t dispute the paper trail existed, but he argued to the jury there was nothing illegal about signing non-disclosure agreements — or trying to influence an election.
  • Tabloid publisher testifies first: Prosecutors called former AMI CEO David Pecker as the first witness in their case against Trump. He testified for less than 30 minutes Monday morning before the trial adjourned for the day. He’s expected to continue testifying Tuesday. Colangelo teed up the former tabloid publisher as a key player in Trump’s “catch and kill” scheme to control the public narrative about him ahead of the 2016 election.
  • Gag order hearing will lead off court on Tuesday: Before the trial resumes Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan is holding a hearing on allegations that Trump violated the judge’s gag order barring discussion of witnesses. The district attorney’s office asked the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each of several gag order violations leading up to and since the trial started. In addition to the fines, prosecutors want the judge to remind Trump he could be imprisoned if he continues to disobey the order.
  • Trump was thinking about the $175 million bond hearing down the street: Meanwhile, other lawyers for Trump were in a courtroom a block away arguing over the legitimacy of the $175 million bond Trump posted to appeal the judgment in his civil fraud trial. Trump, who could not attend the civil hearing because he’s required to attend each day of the criminal trial, railed against Attorney General Letitia James.

Fact check: Trump falsely claims Michael Cohen’s crimes "had nothing to do with me"

From CNN’s Daniel Dale

Speaking to reporters Monday after opening statements in his criminal trial in Manhattan, former President Donald Trump declared that the crimes committed by his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen “had nothing to do with me.” 

Cohen is expected to be a key  witness for the prosecution . Trump said: “The things he got in trouble for were things that had nothing to do with me. He got in trouble; he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me. This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned – and medallions and borrowing money and a lot of things – but it had nothing to do with me.” 

Facts First:  Trump’s claim that Cohen’s prison sentence “had nothing to do with me” is false. Cohen’s three-year sentence in 2018 was for  multiple crimes , some of which were directly related to Trump. Most notably, Cohen was sentenced for  campaign finance offenses   connected to a hush money scheme  during the 2016 presidential campaign to conceal Trump’s alleged extramarital relationships -- the same hush money scheme that is central to this prosecution against Trump. Cohen was  also sentenced to two months in prison , to run concurrently with the three-year sentence, for  lying to Congress in 2017 in relation to previous talks about the possibility of building a Trump Tower in Moscow, Russia , including about the  extent of Trump’s involvement in the aborted Moscow initiative  and about when in 2016 the discussions ended. (The discussions continued into June 2016, the month after Trump  became the presumptive Republican nominee , and did not conclude in January 2016 before the first votes were cast, as Cohen had claimed.)

Referring to Trump as “Individual-1,” Cohen  said  at the time of his 2018 guilty plea for making false statements to the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: “I made these statements to be consistent with Individual-1’s political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual-1.” When Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to the campaign finance violations, he  said  he broke the law “in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,” Trump. 

David Pecker is an important witness in prosecutor's quest to prove criminal intent, legal analyst says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

This court sketch shows David Pecker testifying during former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial.

David Pecker will be back on the stand on Tuesday to continue testimony in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. Not only is he the first witness to answer questions from the prosecution, but he is also a critical piece of how the state is trying to prove criminal intent, one former federal prosecutor said.

Criminal intent means that “not just an act happened, but an act happened for a purpose,” said Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst. “The defendant did something wrong to carry out some criminal purpose.”

As the then-chairman of American Media Inc., which publishes the National Enquirer, Pecker was involved in numerous “catch-and-kill” schemes he orchestrated on behalf of Trump, and he allegedly helped broker the deal with adult film star Stormy Daniels which is at the center of  the case.

“It’s not just the catch-and-kill payments, but catch-and-kill payments for the purpose of concealing information from voters in the context of an election,” Williams explained, referring to the 2016 presidential election. 

Williams said it’s likely that prosecutors will focus much of their questioning trying to uncover what was discussed in meetings between Pecker and Trump.

The question at the heart of the argument, Williams said, is if the payments were intended to conceal information from voters, “or was it just Donald Trump saying, ‘Well, you know, this is embarrassing to my wife and my kids, I really want to keep this hidden.’”

Read about the stages of Trump's criminal trial — and what they mean 

From CNN's Lauren del Valle, Jhasua Razo and Gillian Roberts

Former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial is expected to take six to eight weeks from start to finish.

This trial, related to a  hush money payment  to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, is the first of  four ongoing criminal cases  that are expected to head to trial for the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee.

Now that opening statements are done, prosecutors are presenting trial evidence through witness testimony and exhibits. David Pecker, the ex-publisher of the National Enquirer, will resume testimony Tuesday.

Defense attorneys can cross examine the prosecution’s witnesses and typically aim to discredit their testimony. Witnesses’ responses are considered evidence, but not the questions posed by an attorney.

Read more about the stages of the trial, and what they mean here.

Michael Cohen jabs back at Trump's claim that Cohen's crimes have nothing to do with him

From CNN's Laura Dolan

In this October 2023 photo, Michael Cohen leaves for a break during the civil business fraud trial of former President Donald Trump at New York Supreme Court in New York.

Michael Cohen, who is expected to be a key witness in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, jabbed back at his former boss in response to comments Trump made about him outside the courtroom Monday.

Speaking to reporters in the courtroom hallway after court concluded, Trump said Cohen’s crimes have “nothing to do with me."

“He got in trouble, he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me,” said Trump. “This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned — and medallions and borrowing money.”

Shortly after those comments. Cohen posted on social media, “Hey Von ShitzInPantz … your attacks of me stink of desperation. We are all hoping that you take the stand in your defense. 

Cohen, who is Trump’s former attorney, served time in federal prison after pleading guilty to breaking federal campaign laws when he facilitated the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, which is directly linked to the charges against Trump.  As for the taxi medallions that Trump referenced, Cohen was also sentenced for tax evasion related to a taxi medallion enterprise and lying to a bank in relation to a home loan. 

Trump is under a gag order and was ordered by Judge Juan Merchan not to comment about any witnesses in the trial.

CNN's Daniel Dale contributed to this post.

See courtroom sketches from today's Trump trial

No cameras are allowed inside the Manhattan courtroom where Donald Trump's hush money trial is underway, but a sketch artist captured the scene as opening statements unfolded and the first witness took the stand.

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo speaks at the lectern Monday morning in opening statements in Day 5 of former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial taking place in Manhattan, New York, on April 22.

Biden builds early advertising edge as Trump spends millions on legal fees

From CNN's David Wright

President Joe Biden and his allies have nearly tripled Donald Trump’s network in ad spending over the last month and a half while the former president has had to devote millions of campaign funds to legal expenses — and sit in a New York courthouse for his hush money trial.

Since March 6, after Super Tuesday when Trump effectively secured the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, through April 21, Biden’s campaign and other Democratic advertisers spent $27.2 million on advertising for the presidential race, while the Trump campaign and GOP advertisers spent about $9.3 million, according to AdImpact data.

Ad spending data (presidential race, March 6 to April 21)

  • Democrats: $27,153,293
  • Republicans: $9,344,948

During that time, Biden's campaign has spent millions in key battleground states, including $4.1 million in Michigan, $3.9 million in Pennsylvania, and at least $2 million in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia. And the Biden network has used its plentiful airtime to promote the administration’s first-term record and slam Trump, focusing on key issues such as the  cost of living  and  abortion rights .

Meanwhile, Trump’s network has failed to match that effort since he became the presumptive nominee, though a pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., recently ramped up its advertising, booking over $1 million worth of airtime in Pennsylvania to coincide with Biden’s recent campaign swing through the state last week.

Trump has also benefited over that stretch from a nearly $3 million anti-Biden campaign from outside groups aligned with the oil and gas industries, which have been  running ads  in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, criticizing California fuel standards  defended  by the Biden administration. But despite some recent signs of activity, Trump’s network has been significantly outspent on the airwaves since his general election matchup with Biden came into focus. And  the latest round of FEC filings  shows how Biden’s fundraising edge is enabling that advertising advantage, as Trump’s ongoing legal battles drain millions from his campaign coffers.  

How we got here: A timeline of the Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels hush money case

From CNN’s Lauren del Valle, Kara Scannell, Annette Choi and Gillian Roberts 

The first criminal trial of a US ex-president is underway in New York, where former President Donald Trump faces charges from the Manhattan District attorney related to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. 

This is the first of four criminal cases expected to go to trial for Trump, also the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee. CNN compiled a timeline of the key events leading up to the historic trial. 

Here’s how we got here: 

  • September 2016: Donald Trump discusses a $150,000 hush money payment understood to be for former Playboy model Karen McDougal with Michael Cohen who secretly records the conversation . McDougal has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump beginning in 2006, which he has denied. 
  • October 7, 2016: The Washington Post releases an "Access Hollywood" video from 2005 in which Trump uses vulgar language to describe his sexual approach to women with then show host Billy Bush. 
  • October 27, 2016: According to prosecutors, Cohen pays Daniels $130,000 to her attorney through a shell company in exchange for her silence about an affair she allegedly had with Trump in 2006. This $130,000 sum is separate from the $150,000 paid to McDougal. Trump has publicly denied having any affairs and has denied making the payments. 
  • November 8, 2016: Trump secures the election to become the 45th president of the United States. 
  • February 2017: Prosecutors say Cohen meets with Trump in the Oval Office to confirm how he would be reimbursed for the hush money payment Cohen fronted to Daniels. Under the plan, Cohen would send a series of false invoices requesting payment for legal services he performed pursuant to a retainer agreement and receive monthly checks for $35,000 for a total of $420,000 to cover the payment, his taxes and a bonus, prosecutors alleged. Prosecutors also allege there was never a retainer agreement. 
  • January 2018: The Wall Street Journal breaks news about the hush money payment Cohen made to Daniels in 2016. 

See the full timeline.  

Trump is also facing charges in 3 other criminal cases

From CNN’s Devan Cole, Amy O'Kruk and Curt Merrill 

Former President Donald Trump's motorcade outside of the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, August 24.

The hush money criminal trial against former President Donald Trump is just one of  four criminal cases  he faces while juggling his presidential campaign.

The former president is facing at least  88 charges  over the four criminal indictments in Georgia, New York, Washington, DC, and Florida. Trump has pleaded not guilty to every charge in these cases. 

Here's a recap of each case: 

  • Hush money:  Trump was first indicted in March 2023 by the Manhattan district attorney on state charges related to a hush-money payment to an adult film star in 2016. Prosecutors allege Trump was part of an illegal conspiracy to  undermine  the integrity of the 2016 election. Further, they allege he was part of an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including the $130,000 payment. 
  • Classified documents:  Trump was indicted in June 2023 by a federal grand jury in Miami for taking classified national defense documents from the White House after he left office and resisting the government’s attempts to retrieve the materials. The National Archives said in early 2022 that at least 15 boxes of White House records were recovered from the estate, including   some that were classified . The charges were brought by special counsel Jack Smith. 
  • Federal election interference:  Smith separately charged the former president last August with four crimes over his efforts to reverse the 2020 election results. The indictment alleges Trump and a co-conspirator "attempted to exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol by calling lawmakers to convince them ... to delay the certification" of the election. That case is currently on hold as the Supreme Court weighs Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in the matter. 
  • Fulton County:  State prosecutors in Georgia brought a similar election subversion case against Trump and others. An Atlanta-based grand jury on August 14, 2023, indicted Trump and 18 others on state charges stemming from their alleged efforts to overturn the former president’s 2020 electoral defeat. A trial date has not yet been set in that case. 

Read more about  the four criminal cases  Trump faces.  

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Airlines must cough up cancellation cash and can no longer hide fees under new federal rule

A federal rule announced Wednesday will require airlines to quickly give cash refunds — without lengthy arguments — to passengers whose flights have been canceled or seriously delayed, the Biden administration said.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

The rule from the Transportation Department says passengers who decline other reimbursement like travel credits are to get cash refunds.

Image: Salt Lake City travellers

It applies when a flight is canceled or has a “significant change,” the administration said.A “significant change” includes when departure or arrival times are three or more hours different from the scheduled times for domestic flights or six hours for international flights, and when the airport is changed or connections are added, it said.

Passengers are also to get refunds when their baggage is 12 hours late in delivery for domestic flights.

The new rule comes after promises to hold airlines accountable after major disruptions that made travel hell for passengers, including the 2022 Southwest Airlines meltdown , which resulted in almost 17,000 significantly delayed or canceled flights and a missing baggage nightmare.

The Transportation Department said that the new rule means refunds are automatic and that "airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops."

Also announced Wednesday was a rule requiring airlines to more clearly disclose so-called junk fees upfront, such as surprise baggage or other fees, the department said.

It said that rule is expected to save fliers around $500 million a year.

The surprise fees are used so tickets look cheaper than they really are, and then fliers get the unwelcome surprise of fees on checked bags, carry-on bags or reservation changes — or even discounts that are advertised but apply to only part of the ticket price, officials said.

Airlines will also have to tell fliers clearly that their seats are guaranteed and that they don't have to pay extra to ensure they have seats for flights, according to the Transportation Department.

Airlines for America, an industry trade group, said that its member airlines “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers from first search to touchdown” and that they do offer cash refunds.

The 11 largest U.S. airlines returned $10.9 billion in cash refunds last year, an increase over $7.5 billion in 2019 but slightly down from $11.2 billion in 2022, the group said.

“U.S. airlines are providing more options and better services while ticket prices, including ancillary revenues, are at historic lows,” Airlines for America said.

Left out of the federal changes announced Wednesday are those involving "family seating fees," but the Transportation Department said in a statement that "DOT is planning to propose a separate rule that bans airlines from charging these junk fees."

Travelers have complained to the Transportation Department that children weren’t seated next to accompanying adults, including in some cases young children, department officials said last year.

Fees on bags specifically have made up an increasing amount of airline revenues, the Transportation Department said Wednesday in announcing the new rules.

A Transportation Department analysis found that airline revenue from baggage fees increased 30% from 2018 to 2022, while operating revenue — which is from the flights themselves — increased by only half that amount, the department said.

Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.

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Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

A blue airport screen showing extensive cancellations and delays is shown in close up with a man standing in front of it.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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