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TSA App Might Help Foresee Shutdown-Related Security Delays

Jan. 16, 2019
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2 min read
TSA Agents' Pay Uncertain As Government Shutdown Continues
TSA App Might Help Foresee Shutdown-Related Security Delays
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If you haven't already done so — we highly recommend downloading the myTSA app.

Since Dec. 22, the partial shutdown of the US government (which has now become the longest in US history) has been taking a toll on airports throughout the country, particularly affecting the employees. Some TSA agents have been calling out sick, while others are working long hours without pay. Either way, in the past three weeks there has been a pattern of delays, terminal closures and enormous lines at security.

Although it's not a solution for avoiding lines (TSA PreCheck and CLEAR might be more effective methods of that), the myTSA app uses a combination of crowdsourcing and history to inform its users on how long it will take to get through security at any designated US airport.

In times like these, the crowdsourcing aspect is crucial to the effectiveness of the myTSA app -- the more recent the updates are, the better. So we asked the TPG Lounge on Facebook to see if anyone had used the app to combat the shutdown, and more importantly, if it was accurate. TPG Lounge member Kevin Sauer used the app at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), which had been suffering from extra long wait-times at security, and said using the app was "quick and easy," and that since it had been updated recently, it was accurate. Other lounge members also reported it was accurate for Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Washington, DC's Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

TPG staffer Ethan Steinberg also found the app was pretty much on the nose at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) Tuesday, with wait-times falling between 10-15 minutes both on the app and in person.

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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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.