Global Entry and TSA PreCheck memberships are one of my favorite travel tools. These Trusted Traveler programs enable travelers to speed through security with dedicated lanes and minimal inconvenience. Although the yearly cost of membership is low, there’s no need to pay for them when your travel credit card has you covered. Here are the 12 credit cards that reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
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What is Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are membership programs that allow approved travelers to use dedicated lanes at security while traveling. Because the government has performed a background check on you, the security screening is less invasive and, therefore, takes less time.
TSA PreCheck is for flights originating within the U.S. and costs $85 for a 5-year membership. It provides members with dedicated lanes at airport security. You can keep your shoes, belts, and light jackets on. Plus, your laptop and 3-1-1 liquids can stay in your luggage.
Global Entry is for international travelers and costs $100 for a 5-year membership. It speeds you through U.S. Customs when returning from a foreign country. You use automated kiosks to answer the basic questions of where you’ve been and what you’ve brought home with you. Members also receive the benefits of TSA PreCheck for flights in the U.S.
I love having Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits that save time while going through security because that allows me to spend more time in the airport lounge. Or, when I’m running behind, I’m less likely to miss my flight.
Read: New Passport? How to Update Global Entry
Which credit cards reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees?
Travel credit cards offer a ton of benefits to justify their annual fees. One of these benefits is reimbursing you for application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Here are the 12 credit cards that reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
After you’re done reading, take a look at the latest travel credit card offers.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 5x on flights and pre-paid hotels (through Amex Travel), $200 annual airline fee credit, and airport lounge access. Plus, you receive automatic Gold status with Hilton and Marriott. American Express also offers a business version of this card, which offers benefits geared toward business owners.
The Amex Platinum Card offers reimbursement of up to $100 for application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The Global Entry credit can be used every four years, while the TSA PreCheck credit is good every 4.5 years. As an added plus, all authorized users also receive reimbursement, so every cardholder can also get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.
Read: Hidden Benefits of the American Express Platinum
Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card earns an unlimited 2x points on all travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points on everything else. Clients with larger relationships can get a bonus of 25% to 75% more points, based on the size of their balances.
This card provides a statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. Plus, you’ll also receive statement credits covering up to $100 airline fees for seat upgrades, baggage fees, in-flight services, and airport lounge fees.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns unlimited 2x points on every purchase that you make. These points can be redeemed for 1 cent each towards travel. Now, they can also be transferred to 15 airline and hotel partners for potentially even more value.
Cardholders receive reimbursement up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. This is one of my favorite credit cards that reimburse for Global Entry because the annual fee is low and the miles are so flexible.
Read: Finally Approved for the Capital One Venture Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Experienced travelers love the Chase Sapphire Reserve. It earns 3x points on travel and dining, and the points are worth 50% more when booking travel through Chase. Plus, you receive airport lounge access and a $300 travel credit each year that covers any travel expenses, including flights, hotels, and other travel purchases.
You’re reimbursed up to $100 every four years for the application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Frequent fliers with American Airlines love this card because it includes Admirals Club access for the primary cardholder and all authorized users. It earns 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x miles everywhere else. Cardholders earn 10,000 Loyalty Points every year you spend $40,000 on the card. Plus, cardholders receive priority boarding, free checked bags, and 25% savings on inflight food and beverages.
Every five years, you’ll be reimbursed up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Read: Is the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard Worth $450?
Citi Prestige Credit Card
The Citi Prestige offers a variety of travel benefits. It earns 5x on dining and air travel and 3x on hotels and cruises, while everything else is 1x. Citi offers a $250 travel credit every year that is automatically applied to any travel expense you charge to the card. Cardholders receive the 4th night free twice a year when booking through ThankYou.com. And when you fly, you’ll enjoy airport lounge access with Priority Pass.
The application fees for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck are reimbursed up to $100 every five years.
IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
If you love IHG hotels, you need this hotel credit card. You’ll earn 10x per dollar at IHG (for a total of 25x including elite status) and 2x points on gas, groceries, and dining. It provides automatic IHG Rewards Club Platinum Elite status and one free hotel night (up to 40,000 points) every year. Plus, when you redeem points for hotel stays, you’ll receive the 4th night free.
When you use the card to pay for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you’ll be reimbursed up to $100 every four years. I’m a big fan of IHG because of Kimpton, and I love that this is one of the credit cards that reimburse for Global Entry. We get huge value from this card that has the lowest annual fee of any on this list.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card is perfect for travelers that prefer Marriott hotels and resorts. It earns 6x points at Marriott, 3x at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and flights booked with the airlines, and 2x on all other purchases. You’ll receive a $300 annual statement credit for rooms, resort charges, and more made at Marriott hotels. It includes an annual free night worth up to 50,000 points, automatic Gold status, and a Priority Pass™ Select membership.
Global Entry application fees up to $100 are reimbursed every four years, while TSA PreCheck fees are reimbursed every 4.5 years.
Mastercard Black Card
The Barclays Mastercard Black Card isn’t affiliated with a hotel or airline, but offers some valuable travel benefits. It earns 1x per dollar and points are worth 2% for airfare and 1.5% for cash back. Cardholders receive a $100 credit per year towards airline tickets and fees and a Priority Pass airport lounge membership.
You’ll receive up to $100 for Global Entry or $85 for TSA PreCheck every five years.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Business owners have a second (less expensive) travel credit card option that reimburses your application fees. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card earns 3x points on Southwest flights and with its hotel & car rental partners, plus 2x points on internet advertising and internet, cable, and phone services. You’ll receive four Upgraded Boardings every year and 9,000 bonus points when you renew the card. It also comes with 365 inflight WiFi credits each year.
You’ll be reimbursed for up to $100 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees once every four years.
United Explorer Card
The United Explorer Card earns 2x miles with United and on dining, hotels, and dining purchases. Your first checked bag is free and you’ll get priority boarding, two United Club passes each year, and a 25% statement credit for in-flight food, drinks, and WiFi. You’ll also receive expanded award availability when booking United flights with your miles. The annual fee is waived the first year.
Application fees up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck are reimbursed once every four years.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card has a $325 annual travel credit that covers most of its annual fee. It earns 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through U.S. Bank and 3x on travel and mobile wallet purchases. You’ll also receive a Priority Pass membership and 12 complimentary Gogo in-flight WiFi passes each year.
You’ll be reimbursed up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
Comparing the policies for credit cards that reimburse for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Although the credit cards above each provide reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees, the details vary by card. You should factor in these rules when choosing which travel credit card to apply for.
| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Global Entry | TSA PreCheck |
| American Express Platinum | $550 personal $595 business |
$100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4.5 yrs
|
| Bank of America Premium Rewards | $95 | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4 yrs
|
| Capital One Venture Rewards | $95 | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4 yrs
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4 yrs
|
| Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard | $450 | $100 every 5 yrs |
$85 every 5 yrs
|
| Citi Prestige | $450 | $100 every 5 yrs |
$85 every 5 yrs
|
| IHG Rewards Club Premier | $89 | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4 yrs
|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card | $450 | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4.5 yrs
|
| Mastercard Black Card | $495 | $100 every 5 yrs |
$85 every 5 yrs
|
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business | $199 | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4 yrs
|
| United Explorer Card | $0 intro, the $95 per year | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4 yrs
|
| U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite | $400 | $100 every 4 yrs |
$85 every 4 years
|
Do my children need to sign up for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
Children ages 12 and under do not have to sign up for TSA PreCheck. They can use the security lanes as long as they are traveling with someone who is a member.
Global Entry pairs with your passport and requires everyone to have a membership. We found this out the hard way when we traveled with our kids to Cancun when Scarlett was only six months. We had to sign her up when we returned, but that’s ok because I have several credit cards that offer reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. Plus, signing up a baby for Global Entry is super easy and quick.
Should I sign up for CLEAR?
CLEAR is another travel membership program that I love. While Global Entry and TSA PreCheck streamline security procedures, CLEAR actually brings you to the front of the line using biometrics and a touchless experience.
CLEAR works with both TSA PreCheck lanes and normal airport security lines. Plus, CLEAR works with venues and stadiums around the country, so you can enjoy the benefits even when you’re not traveling.
If you can fit it in your travel budget, the combination of CLEAR and either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is the ideal setup. You’ll move to the front of the lines with CLEAR. Then, you’ll speed through security with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
CLEAR membership is $179 per year. Use our referral link to sign up for a free 2-month trial of CLEAR or use this link to save $30 your first year.
Unfortunately, all of the credit cards above do not reimburse for CLEAR application fees. The only credit card that will cover some of the price is the American Express Green Card. It has an annual fee of $150 but includes a $100 credit towards CLEAR membership and $100 in credits for airport lounge access. Just those two benefits alone cover the annual fee. Plus, you’ll still enjoy the rest of its benefits, like 3x points on travel, dining, and transit, no foreign transaction fees, and travel & purchase protection.
Read: TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: Which Is Right For You?
The Bald Thoughts
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck make the traveling experience so much better. You can use dedicated security lanes, keep your shoes on, and leave your laptop and liquids in your bag. These memberships cost up to $100 to apply, but you don’t have to pay cash for it. Instead, use one of these 12 travel credit cards that reimburse for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
This article was originally published on BaldThoughts.com on September 29, 2020.
We LOVE the Chase Sapphire Reserve! The fee seems steep at first, but when you see the benefits, especially the $300 travel credit, it’s really not much more than any of the others and with more perks!
I believe the AmEx Hilton Aspire card also covers GE/TSA pre,
After seeing your comment, I reviewed the Hilton Aspire benefits page again. The card does not include TSA Pre/Global Entry reimbursement, which is surprising for a premium travel card. Cardholders get a Priority Pass membership and credits for airline fees ($250), Hilton resorts ($250), and property credit at Waldorf and Conrad ($100), but not TSA/GE reimbursement.
Pen Fed visa does
Thanks for sharing the update AK.