 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY 01/22/2019 SHUTDOWN WEARS ON Now entering its second month, the longest government shutdown in history is taking a serious toll on federal workers — especially FAA controllers and TSA screeners, since both groups are required to continue reporting to work, even though they haven't been paid in weeks. As a result, 10% of TSA employees called out sick over the holiday weekend — while we certainly can't blame them, airport security lines continue to grow, although they remain quite manageable for PreCheck. If you're flying soon:
Expert tip: During the shutdown, also look at the TSA's press office, which is posting regular and PreCheck wait times for major airports. It might be more accurate than the app. In many cases, you might not need to wait in that gigantic security line at all — learn how CLEAR can save the day on the latest episode of Talking Points with Brian Kelly. -Zach Honig, Editor-at-Large Posts in this newsletter contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
 A best-ever sign-up bonus? Check. New transfer partners? Yup, Capital One's got that, too. Now all you need to do is add the Spark Miles for Business Card to your wallet. See just how valuable this offer is as you learn how to redeem 300,000 Capital One miles of your own.
 As we deal with our own political issues here at home, the UK is preparing for a potentially devastating exit from the EU. The latest possible casualty: new flights from UK-based carriers, impacting as many as 5,000,000 seats throughout 2019 alone.
 With Southwest's incredible credit card promo on everyone's mind, we asked our TPG Lounge readers to share the most memorable trips they've taken with the airline's Companion Pass. Here's a look at a handful of top picks.
 A routine medical diversion to Northern Canada quickly turned into a crisis when severe cold resulted in a mechanical issue, stranding a United 777-200ER — and the hundreds of passengers onboard. Despite United's best efforts, it took the airline more than 14 hours to get customers on their way back to Newark in what was easily one of the country's most unpleasant "flights to nowhere" to date.
 As TPG's Danielle Vito notes, it looks like the Queen of the Skies may soon become the Queen of the Seas. An "underwater theme park" in the Middle East is planning to make a decommissioned Boeing 747 its main attraction. Serving as "a safe haven for coral reef growth and a habitat for marine life," the largest aircraft to ever be submerged is expected to be a big hit with the locals, too. LOUNGE ACCESS Regardless of where you stand on the government shutdown, we can all agree that not receiving a paycheck for nearly a month makes life trickier. TPG Lounger Becky B. discovered that you can donate small items to furloughed TSA workers by contacting your local airport's branch: "I reached out directly to the Phoenix TSA to see if I could donate anything to them when I travel next week... I encourage everyone who wants to help the TSA to reach out to your airport's TSA directly to see what they can accept. A friend of mine donated 60 Krispy Kreme donuts to the Norfolk TSA today." Have your own tips to share? Sound off in the TPG Lounge. FROM OUR PARTNERS Learn How to Live a Rich Life, Starting Today 400,000+ subscribe to the "I Will Teach You to Be Rich" newsletter for insider techniques on money, psychology, salary negotiation and entrepreneurship. Sign up to learn how to earn more, boost your salary and create new income streams today. Check it out here. NEWS YOU CAN USE • Best Ways to Redeem 300,000 Capital One Miles • Uber May Soon Have Self-Driving Electric Scooters and Bikes • Can I Apply for the Same Credit Card in Two Different Countries? • The Best Places to Travel in February • You Can Soon Earn and Redeem IHG Points at Ultra-Luxe Regent Hotels • 4 Ways You Can Help TSA Agents During the Government Shutdown • 10 Winter Gear Essentials for Traveling With Toddlers and Babies • Delta’s First Airbus A330-900neo Rolls out of the Paint Shop • 11 Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards for 2019 • So Close, Yet so Far: China Eastern (777-300ER) in Business Class From Shanghai to New York       You are receiving this email because you opted in at thepointsguy.com. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities The Points Guy © All rights reserved 2019 |