Best credit cards for TSA PreCheck & Global Entry
Airport security is notoriously long and tedious to get through, and lines seem even longer when you’re in a time crunch. Fortunately, programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry offer a potential solution. Through these programs, you can bypass some of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of going through airport security, helping to expedite the process so you can get to your destination faster.
Various travel credit cards reimburse the application fees for these programs. We’ve listed some of the best ones below.
More info on credit cards that reimburse TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
Reimbursement details: $78 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry once every four years.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is ideal if you don’t love the idea of tracking various bonus categories— it earns 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on other purchases. Plus, it has a lower annual fee than many of the cards on this list, making the fact that it has a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck even better. If you’re willing to track categories another card may reward you more highly, but if you’re looking for affordable simplicity, the Venture delivers.
Other notable perks: $50 experience credit when booking a hotel in the Lifestyle Collection, no foreign transaction fees.
▶︎ Read more: Capital One Venture Rewards Card review
Reimbursement details: Up to $100 credit every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus
It’s easy to earn points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, with valuable rewards on travel and everyday purchases in various categories. Arguably, the best part about this card is that points earned are worth significantly more than most cards— 1.5 cents each when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel. But if you’re not a frequent traveler, it may be hard to justify the annual fee.
Other notable perks: $300 annual travel credit, points worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, Priority Pass lounge access, great travel insurance benefits, and more.
▶︎ Read more: Chase Sapphire Reserve review
Reimbursement details: $78 statement credit for TSA PreCheck once every 4.5 years or $100 for Global Entry once every 4 years. Terms apply.
It does boast an insanely high $695 annual fee, but for the frequent traveler who prioritizes the life of luxury, The Platinum Card® from American Express is full of benefits to help make that happen. It takes some dedication on your part to make sure you can maximize those benefits, but if you can, it can be well worth the cost.
Other notable perks: Up to $200 airline fee credit yearly, up to $200 hotel credit per year, up to $240 digital entertainment credit per year, Centurion lounge access, Priority Pass lounge access, and so much more. Enrollment may be required.
▶︎ Read more: Amex Platinum card review
Reimbursement details: Up to $100 credit every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus
If you like the idea of accessing the United Club airport lounge but don’t want to fork over the $59 per entry or $650 per year for a membership, the United℠ Explorer Card offers 2 free passes per year. Its perks are great for as low of an annual fee as it charges ($0 the first year, then $95), but if you want more than 2 lounge passes per year, a different card may be a better fit.
Other notable perks: 2 complimentary one-time United Club passes per year, free checked bag, 25% in-flight discount, priority boarding benefits.
▶︎ Read more: United Explorer card review
Reimbursement details: Up to $100 credit every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus
For IHG hotel loyalists, this card is a great option. Benefits like a free night award every year can offset the annual fee entirely. But if you like to switch up where you stay or prefer more flexibility in redeeming your rewards, this card might not be the best option.
Other notable perks: Free anniversary night award, fourth night free on consecutive 4-night stays at IHG hotels, automatic Platinum Elite status.
Reimbursement details: $78 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or $100 for Global Entry once every four years.
If you factor the $300 annual travel credit into the yearly cost of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, its annual fee effectively drops to $95— the same cost as the Capital One Venture Rewards Card. It also has the added benefit of lounge access and a higher reward rate on hotels, rental cars, and flights. If you can use it enough to maximize the additional rewards, this card is definitely a step up from its lower-fee counterpart.
Other notable perks: $300 annual travel credit, Capital One Lounge access, Priority Pass lounge access, hotel experience credits and upgrades when available.
▶︎ Read more: Capital One Venture X review
Reimbursement details: Up to $100 credit every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus
If you fly a lot and choose United when you do, the United Club℠ Infinite Card is chock-full of benefits to help make your travels more comfortable. The biggest perk that makes or breaks this card is complimentary United Club access. If you can utilize that greatly (10+ times per year), its annual fee essentially pays for itself. If you can’t, however, you might want to consider a different card.
Other notable perks: Complimentary United Club access, free first and second checked bags, priority boarding benefits, CLEAR Plus discount, Saver award discount
▶︎ Read more: United Club Infinite review
Other cards that pay for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
These cards didn’t make the list but may still be worth a look:
Airline cards and hotel cards for personal use
Business cards
Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program that gives you access to faster security lanes at U.S. airports. Global Entry has the same perks as TSA PreCheck but also allows for faster security screenings when re-entering the U.S. from abroad.
If your credit card covers either, we recommend going for Global Entry since it also comes with a TSA PreCheck membership.
▶︎ Learn more: Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which Should You Get?
How credit card reimbursement works for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
To be reimbursed from your credit card for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, simply use your eligible credit card to pay the application fee. You should receive reimbursement on your credit card statement within a few weeks.
Your statement credit only covers the first one you apply for, so choose wisely.
How to apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Applying for Global Entry
- Get a credit card that reimburses your Global Entry application fee (optional but highly recommended).
- Go to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website
- Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.
- Fill out and submit your application.
- Schedule an interview appointment at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
Global Entry interview centers are typically located at larger airports and appointment availability may be sparse depending on the time of year you apply.
The CPB will conduct a background check based on the information submitted in the application. The interviewer asks questions about your travel plans, job, and life. Global Entry interviews usually take less than 15 minutes.
Applying for TSA PreCheck
- Get a credit card that reimburses your application fee (optional but highly recommended).
- Go to the TSA website and then the TSA PreCheck application page.
- Fill out and submit your application.
- Schedule an interview appointment at a TSA Enrollment Center.
The interview process is quick and simple, with a background check and fingerprinting to make sure you’re a trustworthy person. It should take about 10 minutes.
If you’re approved, you should receive notice within 3-5 days but it could take longer. Upon approval, you’ll get a “known traveler number,” which you’ll enter when booking a flight. That’ll put the TSA PreCheck logo on your boarding pass so you can access the TSA PreCheck security screening lines.
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