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The Fed Just Hiked Rates. Here's What It Means for Your Canadian Mortgage.

  The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points yesterday — the first hike in three years. The Bank of Canada hasn't moved. That gap is now the biggest story in Canadian personal finance. MoneySavings.ca  |  September 17, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief Yesterday afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 to raise the U.S. federal funds rate by a quarter point, pushing it to a target range of 3.75%–4.00%. It's the Fed's first rate hike since July 2023, and Chair Kevin Warsh made clear it almost certainly won't be the last. The Bank of Canada, by contrast, has held its overnight rate at 2.25% through seven straight meetings. It doesn't decide again until October 28. For Canadians with a mortgage, a renewal coming up, or a home equity line of credit, this matters more than it might look at first glance. 3.75–4.00% New U.S. Fed Rate 2.25% Bank of Canada Rate 1.625% Rate Gap (vs. 1.375% yesterday) ~71.5¢ Loonie (post-hike low) What th...
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Tips for Getting Your Luggage First at Baggage Claim

 

While waiting for your checked luggage at the airport can feel like an eternity, there are a few tricks you can try to improve your chances of having your bag pop out early. Although there’s no guaranteed method, these strategies might give you an advantage:

  1. Travel Business or First Class: Passengers who fly in business or first class often receive better service, including the perk of their luggage being among the first to arrive at baggage claim. If you have the opportunity to upgrade, consider it for a smoother baggage experience.

  2. Frequent Flyer Status: Airlines offer priority baggage services to frequent flyers with elite status tiers. If you fall into this category, make sure the agent affixes a priority tag to your bag during check-in. While these bags are technically supposed to be offloaded before others, it’s not always guaranteed.

  3. Gate Check Your Bag: Arrive at the gate early and ask to gate check your bag. This means you’ll bring your suitcase through security and it will be loaded last onto the plane. Sometimes, this results in your bag being among the first to appear at baggage claim.

  4. Last One In, First One Out: If you’re checking your bag, consider doing so as late as possible. Bags loaded into the cargo hold last are often the first to be unloaded. However, keep in mind that the loading order isn’t always predictable.

  5. Get a “Fragile” Sticker: When checking in, request a “fragile” sticker for your bag. Representatives at the counter can affix this sticker, which might prioritize your luggage for early retrieval.

Remember, even if you follow these tips, there are no guarantees. However, you can also use technology to keep track of your bag’s whereabouts. Attach trackers like Apple AirTags or Tiles to your luggage, or check if the airline uses RFID tracking to monitor your bag’s journey from the cargo hold to the baggage claim.

Lastly, make sure to remove old bag tags from your suitcase before checking it in, but leave your personal tag with contact information and address. Safe travels!

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