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☆ Flight delays and cancellations will likely impact millions of Christmas travelers. What to do when your airline experiences disruptions.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The National Weather Service has warned of a strong winter storm expected to affect holiday travel. But, some airlines offer to rebook on their website or mobile app and waive any fees, so it's sometimes easier to make changes online than in person. Carriers offering both are Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines, according to the DoT dashboard. It never hurts to request a meal or hotel during flight disruptions, and you might get lucky with a goodwill gesture from the carrier. For example, in the case of a winter storm, it's likely many passengers will end up stranded in random cities across the US.

Compare the Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited Chase Freedom Flex℠Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. The Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited® are similarly named and have a lot in common, but they're geared to different types of spenders. If you're considering a new cash-back credit card, you'll want to compare the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom Unlimited® to see how they stack up. Differences in benefits between Freedom Unlimited and FlexThe Chase Freedom Flex℠ is unusual because it's a World Elite Mastercard rather than a Visa card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (and most other Chase cards). Benefits shared by both cardsSeveral major benefits apply to both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Chase Freedom Unlimited®.

Below is a complete list of all-inclusive resorts you can book with Hyatt points in Latin America and Europe — and the number of points you'll need to do it. Caribbean/Latin AmericaHotel Category Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana C (25,000 points) Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos C (25,000 points) Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica C (25,000 points) Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia F (50,000 points) Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya C (25,000 points) Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun C (25,000 points) Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort & Spa A (15,000 points) Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino B (20,000 points) Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa A (15,000 points) Sunscape Puerto Plata Dominican Republic A (15,000 points) Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa A (15,000 points) Sunscape Sabor Cozumel A (15,000 points) Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya C (25,000 points) Secrets Aura Cozumel C (25,000 points) Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort B (20,000 points) Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun C (25,000 points) Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen C (25,000 points) Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica C (25,000 points) Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort C (25,000 points) Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort C (25,000 points) Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana B (20,000 points) Secrets St. James Montego Bay C (25,000 points) Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Secrets The Vine Cancun C (25,000 points) Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta B (20,000 points) Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay C (25,000 points) Dreams Acapulco Resort & Spa A (15,000 points) Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya B (20,000 points) Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort B (20,000 points) Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino B (20,000 points) Dreams Dominicus La Romana B (20,000 points) Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Jade Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Karibana Cartagena Golf Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica C (25,000 points) Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana B (20,000 points) Dreams Natura Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana A (15,000 points) Dreams Playa Bonita Panama A (15,000 points) Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort C (20,000 points) Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa A (15,000 points) Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa B (15,000 points) Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana B (20,000 points) Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta B (20,000 points) Dreams Vista Cancun Golf & Spa Resort B (20,000 points) Hyatt Ziva Cancun C (25,000 points) Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos B (20,000 points) Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta B (20,000 points) Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun C (25,000 points) Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana C (25,000 points) Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall C (25,000 points) Hyatt Zilara Cancun C (25,000 points) Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya C (25,000 points) Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana C (25,000 points) Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall C (25,000 points)EuropeHotel Category Alua Atlántico Golf Resort A (15,000 points) Alua Boccaccio A (15,000 points) Alua Calas de Mallorca Resort B (20,000 points) Alua Golf Trinidad A (15,000 points) Alua Gran Camp de Mar A (15,000 points) Alua Helios Bay (opening expected May 1, 2023) A (15,000 points) Alua Illa de Menorca A (15,000 points) Alua Leo (participation effective October 17, 2022) A (15,000 points) Alua Suites Las Rocas A (15,000 points) Alua Tenerife A (15,000 points) AluaSoul Carolina A (15,000 points) AluaSoul Costa Málaga A (15,000 points) AluaSoul Menorca A (15,000 points) AluaSoul Orotava Valley A (15,000 points) AluaSun Cala Antena A (15,000 points) AluaSun Continental Park Hotel & Apartments A (15,000 points) AluaSun Costa Park A (15,000 points) AluaSun Doblemar A (15,000 points) AluaSun Far Menorca A (15,000 points) AluaSun Helios Beach (opening expected May 1, 2023) A (15,000 points) AluaSun Lago Park A (15,000 points) AluaSun Lago Rojo A (15,000 points) AluaSun Marbella Park A (15,000 points) AluaSun Mediterráneo A (15,000 points) Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Dreams Sunny Beach Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Secrets Lanzarote Resort & Spa B (20,000 points) Secrets Mallorca Villamil Resort & Spa C (25,000 points) Secrets Sunny Beach Resort & Spa (opening expected May 1, 2023) B (20,000 p

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In this guide, we'll give you a crash course on how to quickly earn credit card rewards and book free travel. If everyone in the world expertly utilized credit card rewards to travel for free, there wouldn't be such amazing travel opportunities out there. Identify your travel goalsBefore you begin collecting credit card rewards, you should first identify your travel goals. Recommended credit card strategies for beginnersThe best practice for anyone new to credit card rewards is to invest in flexible points. You'll need: An annual fee-incurring Hilton credit card One of the greatest deals in credit card rewards is the free night certificate that comes with select American Express Hilton credit cards.

Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members currently have the opportunity to bid Marriott points on Super Bowl LVII packages through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. Even better, now through Dec. 20, Chase is offering a 40% bonus when transferring points to Marriott, so you'll actually get 1.4 Marriott points for every Chase point you transfer. Bottom lineSuper Bowl tickets are expensive, but if you have a hoard of Marriott Bonvoy points you may be able to win packages available through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments program. These Super Bowl packages are being sold to the highest bidders and include tickets to the game, hotel accommodations, and exclusive experiences. Unfortunately, if you don't have enough Marriott points to win one of the Super Bowl packages you may have a tough time using them to save money on hotel stays.

Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cardholders can activate the Q1 bonus categories through their Chase account starting December 15, 2022, until March 14, 2023. How Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categories workEach quarter of the year, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® cards earn 5% back (or 5x points) on a different set of bonus categories. That's why you can think of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom® bonus categories as earning you either 5% back or 5x points. Previous Chase Freedom quarterly bonus categoriesFor Q4 2022 (October through December), the Chase Freedom bonus categories are Walmart and PayPal. Right now, there are alternative bonuses available directly through Chase for the Freedom cards — find out more in our guide to the current Chase Freedom offers and in our Chase Freedom Flex review.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ is worth considering on its own, but you can actually boost the value of your rewards when you pair it with certain other Chase credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card. Chase Freedom Flex benefits and featuresThe Chase Freedom Flex℠ comes with substantial purchase and travel protections, including select World Elite Mastercard benefits that you don't often find on no-annual-fee cards. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightChase Freedom Flex fees and costsThe Chase Freedom Flex℠ doesn't charge an annual fee, so it's a great long-term keeper card. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® and Chase Freedom Flex℠ are both excellent cards, but they're suited to different types of users. If you're torn between the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, have a look at our comparison of the two Freedom cards to narrow down your choice.

The average cost of travel insurance has increased over the past week, according to travel agency Squaremouth. Travel insurance weekly rates at a glance:Average premium: $263.25Average trip cost: $5,898.96Average trip length: 16 daysWhat is travel insurance? Average cost of travel insurance by most popular destinationsSome countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could increase travel insurance costs. Policy type Average days between purchase to trip Average trip length (days) Average trip cost Average cost of travel insurance Cancellation 53 13 $5,898.96 $377.69 Non-cancellation 16 20 N/A $96.01Source: SquareMouthAverage cost of travel insurance by ageA traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card are both great small-business credit cards from Chase, with no annual fee and identical welcome offers. Chase offers a trio of great credit cards for small businesses: the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, and the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card. Ink Cash vs Ink Unlimited Ink Business Cash® Credit CardInk Business Unlimited® Credit Card Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. As for the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card and Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card (which earn cash back in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards® points), their benefits are quite similar. If you have a card that earns transferable Ultimate Rewards points, you can get even more value from your spending by moving your points from the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card or Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card to one of these cards.

Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are one of the highest regarded rewards currencies in the world of points and miles. Cards that earn Ultimate Rewards pointsBefore jumping in, let's start with a rundown of credit cards that earn transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points:Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Learn More On Chase’s secure site Rewards $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases, and 1X points on all other purchasesWelcome bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott with a 40% bonusAt the time, I hardly had any Marriott points to my name. Bottom lineMarriott Bonvoy probably isn't the first transfer partner for which folks collect Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Thomas Pallini/Business InsiderThe U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card will add valuable new travel benefits in February 2023. According to my most recent account statement, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card will add Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit as of February 2, 2023. Both the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($95 annual fee) and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card ($95 annual fee) come with a Priority Pass Select membership that includes 10 complimentary visits a year. Since the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is at a similar price point, it's possible the new membership will be similar. You can read more about all the card's benefits and perks in our full US Bank Altitude Connect card review.

Interest-free promotional credit card offers are used mostly by those who need to carry a balance. But I chose to carry a balance during the promotional period, so I could pay off my car loan early. Considering the downsidesInterest-free financing can sound too good to be true, but as a credit card expert, I know that there are many potential pitfalls to these offers. I would be carrying a balance and making just the minimum payment, the two things that smart credit card users should never do! Using the 0% intro APR helped me pay off my car loan earlyBy carrying $18,000 in credit card balances for over a year, I was able to really smooth out my finances.

☆ How and where to use your travel points for a ski vacation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Jennifer Yellin | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

Marriott Bonvoy ski vacation hotelsOf the three major hotel chains in the US, Marriott has the largest number of properties catered toward ski vacations. Points required: A Category 7 property, requiring 25,000 to 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Points required: A Category 6 property, requiring 21,000 to 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Points required: A Category 7 property, requiring 25,000 to 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Points required: A Category 6 property, requiring From 21,000 to 29,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Capital One recently added a new benefit to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Anniversary bonusesCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders receive a 10,000-mile bonus each year on their account anniversary. Authorized usersThe Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the clear winner in terms of authorized user access and benefits. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is comparatively inexpensive at $395 per year.

Best credit cards for seniors and retireesSubscribe to the Select Newsletter! How to redeem rewards: Points can be redeemed for cash back or gift cards at a rate of 1 cent per point. How to redeem rewards: Points can be redeemed at a rate of 1 cent per point toward travel, statement credits, gift cards or merchandise through the Rewards Center. Other great perks: Perks include special benefits through Silvercar Car Rental and the Luxury Hotel Collection, 24-hour service via the Visa Signature® Concierge, lost luggage reimbursement and exclusive access to fine dining and entertainment experiences. Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.

The average cost of travel insurance has increased over the past week, according to travel agency Squaremouth. Travel insurance weekly rates at a glance:Average premium: $312.99Average trip cost: $6,075.63Average trip length: 16 daysAverage cost of travel insurance by most popular destinationsSome countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could ultimately increase your travel insurance costs. When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency. Before getting a travel insurance policy, it's essential to make sure that the terms match your needs or concerns. Read the fine print of any travel insurance policy before purchasing.

Thomas Pallini/InsiderThe Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership. But late last week, Capital One quietly updated the Priority Pass lounge access rules for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Now, instead of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card as the undisputed king of Priority Pass credit cards, your Priority Pass-conferring airport credit card will take a bit more deliberation. The Ritz Carlton Credit Card, while not publicly available, is still the best credit card for Priority Pass lounges because: It comes with a Priority Pass Select membership that gives you access to Priority Pass restaurants and non-lounge experiences. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the first Visa credit card to drop access to discounts at participating Priority Pass restaurants and other non-lounge experiences.

It's impossible to name one single best credit card, given the wide range of benefits, rewards, and annual fees available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.74% - 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 20.74% - 27.74% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightBest secured rewards card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 26.74% Variable Editor's Rating 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Here's everything you need to know about paying your taxes with a credit card and the best cards to use. How to pay taxes with a credit cardYou'll have to pay your taxes through a third-party payment processor if you want to use a credit card, and they all charge credit card processing fees. If you want to pay state taxes or local taxes (like property taxes) with a credit card, you can try seeing if your tax agency accepts credit cards and charges reasonable fees. You should only pay your taxes with a credit card if you can afford to pay off your credit card bill immediately. Pay taxes with a credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)Is there a cash advance fee if I pay taxes with a credit card?

You don't need to worry about paying a high annual fee to open a small business credit card that's worthwhile. But the below small business credit cards are the best of the best if you're not willing to pony up just yet. Review: Amex Blue Business Plus card reviewWhy the Amex Blue Business Cash card is worth it: The American Express Blue Business Cash Card earns cardholders straightforward cash-back on all eligible purchases. Review: Chase Ink Business Unlimited card reviewWhy the Chase Ink Business Cash card is worth it: The Ink Business Cash® credit card is a great option for businesses looking to maximize their spending at office supply stores, internet, cable, restaurants, and more. Review: Ink Business Cash card reviewWhy the Triple Cash Rewards Mastercard is worth it: The U.S. Bank Business Triple Cash Rewards Card is ideal if you're looking for a card with a generous bonus and intro APR.

The average cost of travel insurance has increased over the past week, according to travel agency Squaremouth. Travel insurance weekly rates at a glance:Average premium: $268.70Average trip cost: $5,654.61Average trip length: 16 daysAverage cost of travel insurance by most popular destinationsSome countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could ultimately increase your travel insurance costs. When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency. Before getting a travel insurance policy, it's essential to make sure that the terms match your needs or concerns. Read the fine print of any travel insurance policy before purchasing.

It's impossible to name one single best credit card, given the wide range of benefits, rewards, and annual fees available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 18.99% - 25.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.8 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.8 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 19.99% - 26.99% Variable Editor's Rating 4.65 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.65 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightBest secured rewards card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 25.99% Variable Editor's Rating 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

The average cost of travel insurance has increased over the past week, according to travel agency Squaremouth. Travel insurance weekly rates at a glance:Average premium: $295.41Average trip cost: $5,919.12Average trip length: 16 daysAverage cost of travel insurance by most popular destinationsSome countries are naturally more expensive travel destinations due to higher flight and lodging costs, which could ultimately increase your travel insurance costs. Policy type Average days between purchase to trip Average trip length (days) Average trip cost Average cost of travel insurance Cancellation 53 13 $5,919.12 $375.42 Non-cancellation 16 20 N/A $94.03Source: SquareMouthAverage cost of travel insurance by ageA traveler's age is a significant factor in determining the cost of travel insurance. When calculating your travel insurance premium, travel insurance providers consider the likelihood of a medical emergency. Editor's Rating 4.5/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.7/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Editor's Rating 4.45/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Compare quotes On SquareMouth's website Compare quotes On SquareMouth's website Compare quotes On Travelex's websiteWhat does travel insurance cover?

It's impossible to name one single best credit card, given the wide range of benefits, rewards, and annual fees available. Best secured rewards card for building credit Intro Offer Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Best business credit card Intro Offer Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightBest secured rewards card for building credit Discover it® Secured Credit Card 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Intro offer Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Show more Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 25.99% Variable Editor's Rating 5 /5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 5 out of 5 Stars Our editor's ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.

Your credit card could get you access to high-demand events like Taylor Swift's latest concert. Jun Sato/TAS18/Getty ImagesMany credit card issuers offer access to presale, preferred seating, and VIP ticket offers. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightIf you have a Citi credit card or debit card, you can access exclusive ticket offers through the Citi Entertainment program. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application. Don't wait until a day or two before presale to open a credit card that'll give you this access, as you won't receive it in time.

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