United CEO Oscar Munoz to Lawmakers on Shutdown: 'Make Something Happen'

Jan. 10, 2019

•

2 min read

United CEO Oscar Munoz to Lawmakers on Shutdown: 'Make Something Happen'

The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Thursday morning, United CEO Oscar Munoz traveled to Los Angeles to show off the airline's latest Polaris Lounge, which opens its doors to flyers this Saturday.

But while Munoz was happy to chat about the amenities and this week's 787-10 Dreamliner launch, there was clearly something else on his mind: the federal government shutdown.

Given Munoz's concern, I asked him to explain how the shutdown is impacting the travel industry. We stopped to chat as we toured the airline's latest wide-body plane — which, fortunately for United, narrowly escaped landing a spot in FAA limbo:

Soon entering its 20th day, the shutdown has begun to impact countless agencies, including many that are absolutely crucial to our nation's ability to safely carry out commercial airline operations.

TSA agents are among the hardest hit, considering many may live paycheck to paycheck. But there's more to it than that — as Munoz explains:

"It's tough to work without a paycheck, and I can't urge our elected officials more that they get back together and make something happen for us. While it's impacting our company to some degree, more importantly our customers, it's also impacting others in the industry beyond TSA - you've got CBP, you've got FAA, you've got certification of aircraft across the industry. And of course, there's people beyond our industry that are also going to be affected."

Munoz stops short of placing the blame on any party or individual, instead speaking to "elected officials" to work together to solve the current crisis.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

For more on how the government shutdown has impacted travel, see:

TPG featured card

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

3.5 / 5

Go to review

Apply now

at American Express's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

3X	Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
1X	Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles

Annual fee

$650

Regular APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros

Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
Ability to earn MQDs through spending
Various statement credits for eligible purchases

Cons

Steep annual fee of $650
Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories

Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
$240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
$120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
$650 Annual Fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.
See Rates & Fees