Heat Wave Expected to Hit Most of the U.S. — Major Cities Brace for Power Outages

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Summer is here. And longer days and weekends spent poolside means warmer weather — or as is the case this week, dangerously high temperatures. Over the next several days, a heat wave is expected to hit the central and eastern United States, and several of the country’s major cities will be impacted.

New York City, Chicago, Detroit, and Washington, D.C. are all expected to see their hottest days of summer so far. And as temperatures rise, people turn to their air conditioners for relief, which can lead to power outages. Allan Drury, the spokesperson for the energy company Con Edison, told USA Today on Tuesday that in New York, they’re prepared for “scattered outages” in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

All told, USA Today reports that over 50 million Americans will see some level of heat alert where they live, with temperatures expected to approach 100 degrees over the next several days.

Meteorologists also warn that the temperatures will feel much worse thanks to the heat index. The heat index is what the temperature feels like when air temperature and humidity are combined — and according to BAM Weather Meteorologist Ryan Maue, it will feel like its 108 degrees in Washington D.C. and 109 degrees in Chicago and Detroit. Maue tweeted on Tuesday that “Friday will be suffocating across much of the Eastern U.S. with heat index 100°-110°F from the Plains to Great Lakes and Middle-Atlantic to NYC.”

Friday will be suffocating across much of the Eastern U.S. with heat index 100°-110°F 🌡️from the Plains to Great Lakes and Middle-Atlantic to NYC. 🔥

108° Washington D.C.
109° Chicago
109° Detroit pic.twitter.com/fe5DOLGNhL

— Ryan (@RyanMaue) July 16, 2019

In response to the upcoming heat wave, the National Weather Service has issued excessive heat watches and heat advisories for two-thirds of the country, reminding people that “It is never safe to leave a toddler, disabled person or pet locked in a car, even in the winter. If you have a toddler in your household, lock your cars, even in your own driveway. Kids plays in cars and can get locked in. Already 9 toddlers have died in hot cars in 2019! Cars can heat up quickly when left in the sun.”

The 14 Best Airline Frequent Flier Loyalty Programs

The loyalty programs of the six biggest U.S.-based carriers have received major overhauls in recent years, with some of them adding spending minimums for achieving elite status, reducing the amount of miles earned per flight, and even limiting the rules for redeeming them for free travel.

Because of those overhauls, many travelers might find it worthwhile to consider the mileage programs of international carriers.

Here’s how you can earn miles, attain elite status, and book award flights on more than a dozen domestic and foreign frequent-flier programs—each of which has at least one major U.S. partner. They are listed in alphabetical order, with the U.S.-based frequent flier programs first, followed by those of the foreign carriers.

*NOTE: All award flights are subject to availability and, for most carriers, are priced by regional zones. Award prices can vary (and are sometimes cheaper) if you fly on a partner airline, which may require telephone booking. Also check the special offers on airline websites for award-redemption discounts.