According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage rates are 6.65% and 15-year rates are 5.95% as of August 20, 2026. The following chart shows the 30-year mortgage rate trend over the last year.

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Take note, last-minute travel planners: American Airlines, once known for its generous 24-hour refund policy, is changing its rules.

Until now, you could get a full refund on flights purchased up to two days in advance, as long as you canceled within 24 hours of booking.

Now you must buy those tickets one week before departure to qualify — matching the minimum requirement from the Department of Transportation.

It’s not all bad news. Travelers who buy “most non-basic tickets” within the week can still get refunded in flight credits (but not in dollars).

One travel expert says American is counting on some passengers failing to use those credits they’ve already paid for before the expiration date. So “the airline will come out ahead with this move.”

United, JetBlue and Southwest already required a seven-day advance booking period to qualify for a refund, though United and Southwest agents often override the requirement in practice.

This comes the same month that American announced it will stop upgrading elite flyers from coach to business on long domestic flights. (Airlines are working to give away less of their priciest seats.)

But American Airlines taketh and also giveth. The company announced it will reinstate screens on the backs of every narrow-body seat.

Delta and United “made embedded entertainment a key part of their passenger experience programs. … In contrast, American Airlines opted for austerity and became the only major U.S. legacy carrier with essentially no embedded entertainment across its standard domestic narrowbody fleet.”

That will change, but in some cases, it will take years to get planes with the added seatback screens.

American also committed to installing Starlink for better internet connectivity.

It’s time for "Clark Stinks!" Christa reads the latest "Clark Stinks!" submissions and Clark responds. Also, online medical services promising quick prescriptions for sensitive conditions seem convenient, but they could be costing you more than just money—they might be handing over your private health data. Clark discusses the broader boom of direct-to-consumer online doctor services and why you need to protect both your wallet and your privacy.

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.