RSS
Consumer News
Consumer Reports
Trusted reliable news sources from around the web. We offer special news reports, topic news videos, and related content stories. Truly a birds eye view on news.
Consumer Resources
- Details
- Written by Bing News Search Results
- Category: Vehicle News Articles
Within three months of the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, the average price of gasoline for American drivers climbed from US$2.94 to $4.35 a gallon. If there was ever a moment for ...
Original Image Link
Source:www.msn.com
Original Image Link
Source:www.msn.com
- Details
- Written by CNET Reviews
- Category: Reviews
Apple’s iPhone Duo, its first foldable phone, is a hot ticket, judging by the preorders. Preorders for the iPhone Duo began on Friday at 5 a.m. PT, on Apple’s website and the Apple Store app. Although the phone has an Oct. 23 release date, as of now preordered models won’t ship until Jan. 29. If…
Photo By CNET
Photo By CNET
- Details
- Written by CNET Reviews
- Category: Reviews
Lori Grunin/CNET Nvidia and its partners have marketed the hell out of its Arm-based RTX Spark N1X chip, and Microsoft has taken the opportunity to highlight updates to Windows that take advantage of it, like its AI developer tools and overhauled Arm support. The company’s showcase device for all that is the new Surface Laptop…
Photo By CNET
Photo By CNET
- Details
- Written by CNET Reviews
- Category: Reviews
Save $95: We’re fans of Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro wireless earbuds, but that doesn’t mean you should have to pay full price — and they’re on sale at Woot today for just $155. For the next 15 days, you can snag these top-tier buds for $95 less than their listed price of $250. This…
Photo By CNET
Photo By CNET
- Details
- Written by Consumer Affairs News
- Category: Consumer Daily Reports
of ConsumerAffairs
October 16, 2026
Southwest Airlines is overhauling its Rapid Rewards loyalty program, introducing three membership tiers Silver, Gold and Platinum beginning January 1, 2027.
Frequent flyers will have new opportunities to earn free companion travel, while Southwest credit cardholders will find it easier to qualify for elite status.
The airline is expanding ways to redeem points, including international flights, seat upgrades and rental cars, while also planning premium airport lounges and faster onboard Wi-Fi.
Southwest Airlines is making another major change to its business model, this time revamping its Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program with new membership levels, expanded rewards and additional benefits for its most loyal customers.
The airline has announced that it will introduce a three-tier loyalty structure in January 2027, replacing its current A-List and A-List Preferred designations with Silver and Gold, while adding a new top-level Platinum membership.
The changes are part of Southwest's broader transformation, which has already included assigned seating, checked baggage fees and new fare categories.
The company says the latest changes are designed to make its loyalty program more attractive to travelers.
"Rapid Rewards was built on a simple idea: make it easy for Customers to earn and use rewards," said Nandika Suri, Southwest's vice president of Rapid Rewards.
Suri said customers have asked for more meaningful rewards as they increase their spending and travel with the airline.
A new top tier with unlimited companion travel
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of Platinum status, which will sit above Silver and Gold.
Platinum members will receive unlimited Companion Pass trips, allowing them to designate another person to travel with them on qualifying Southwest flights, subject to seat availability and program rules.
Southwest is also introducing Milestone Rewards, which will allow travelers to earn benefits before reaching the next membership level.
For example, members working toward Silver status will be able to choose rewards such as additional Rapid Rewards points or seat certificates. Travelers progressing between Gold and Platinum will have opportunities to earn three Companion Pass trips.
The change means customers won't necessarily have to reach an elite membership level before receiving additional benefits.
- Details
- Written by Consumer Affairs News
- Category: Consumer Daily Reports
of ConsumerAffairs
October 16, 2026
Mortgage rates held steady this week, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remaining at 7.40%, according to Freddie Mac.
The pause ended seven consecutive weeks of increases, but rates remain at their highest level since November 2023.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with higher borrowing costs, elevated home prices and economic uncertainty keeping many prospective buyers on the sidelines.
After nearly two months of steadily rising borrowing costs, prospective homebuyers finally got a break this week although it wasn't much of one.
The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained unchanged at 7.40% for the week ending October 15, according to Freddie Mac's latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey. That matched last week's rate and ended a seven-week streak of increases.
Despite the pause, mortgage rates remain at their highest level in nearly three years. The last time rates were higher was November 16, 2023, when the average reached 7.44%.
A year ago, the average 30-year mortgage rate was just 6.27%, underscoring how dramatically borrowing costs have increased over the past 12 months.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage, often used by homeowners refinancing an existing loan, edged lower to 6.71% from 6.73% last week. A year earlier, it averaged 5.52%.
What higher rates mean for homebuyers
The increase in mortgage rates has significantly reduced purchasing power, particularly for first-time buyers already struggling with elevated home prices.
Consider a buyer taking out a $350,000 mortgage. At this week's average rate of 7.40%, the monthly principal and interest payment would be approximately $2,423.
At the 6.27% average rate a year ago, that same loan would have required a monthly payment of about $2,160.
That's an increase of approximately $263 a month, or more than $3,100 a year, without accounting for property taxes, homeowners insurance or other housing expenses.
The increase also means some buyers who qualified for a mortgage a year ago may no longer qualify for the same loan amount.
Why mortgage rates remain elevated
Mortgage rates are closely tied to yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds, which have risen sharply amid persistent inflation concerns, higher energy prices and uncertainty about future Federal Reserve interest rate decisions.
Consumer Daily Reports Article Count: 6597
Environmental News Articles Article Count: 22
Reviews Article Count: 1916
Vehicle News Articles Article Count: 906
Related Product Search/Búsqueda de productos relacionados
