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How the Sequestration Could Negatively Impact Travelers

Feb. 25, 2013
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3 min read
Ray LaHood Sequestration
How the Sequestration Could Negatively Impact Travelers
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Budget cuts – also known as sequestration – currently set to take place in Washington on March 1 (Friday!) could mean significant flight delays for U.S. travelers, though the hope is that these cuts can be averted in time to save a lot of these airport nightmares from taking place.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warns of massive flight delays.

In a press conference at the White House last Friday, February 22, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood noted that these sequester cuts, approximately $85 billion sliced from current budgets including those of the FAA, would lead to nationwide flight delays as control towers adjust by using smaller staffs. Worse yet, as many as 100 small airport control towers at (such as those in Boca Raton, Florida and Joplin, Missouri) could be shut down entirely. The crux of LaHood’s message, "Travelers should expect delays." The FAA currently operates more than 400 airport control towers.

While the budget cuts are set for March 1, their impact would be delayed by internal staffing reductions and likely wouldn’t be felt by consumers until April. Once they begin, however, LaHood suggests that 90-minute flight delays would be likely in larger cities during peak hours, effects that would quickly ripple across the country.

In a separate warning, the Homeland Security Department noted that these cuts could also lead to longer airport security lines, never good news for the already weary air traveler. My previous tips on how to get through security lines faster may be of more service if that was to become reality.

Expect security lines to get a lot longer if budget cuts go into effect.

There is hope, however. LaHood noted that his being brought to the White House to make his announcement was a clear attempt to influence Republicans into compromising on a budget deal that would find alternatives to these currently mandatory cuts and avert a crisis. While LaHood’s words have been called a "scare tactic" by many in the GOP, the former Republican congressman noted this morning that he was merely outlining the risks involved in letting these budget cuts take place – not as a scare tactic, but as a "warning flare."

Today, LaHood expressed confidence that a deal would be reached this week while talking with MSNBC. "I'm optimistic about this," LaHood said. "I just think there's an awful lot of shared pain that's going to take place on March 1st if this sequester goes in. I don't think anybody wants that to happen."

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So what can you do? Write to your members of Congress expressing your opinion - loudly. Email, call, tweet and voice your thoughts. Who knows if any of that will make a difference in the currently toxic political environment, but at least you will have registered your doubts and taken a stand for when the next election cycle occurs. Who knows, though, it might just take round-the-block lines at Reagan National and Dulles to open our lawmakers' eyes.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.