Credit Cards That Cover Global Entry & TSA PreCheck

Global Entry costs $100. TSA PreCheck costs $78. Both are valid for five years. And dozens of credit cards will reimburse one or both of these fees automatically, making the out-of-pocket cost exactly zero.

If you fly even twice a year, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is one of the highest-value travel perks available. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so if you ever travel internationally, it is the better choice at only $22 more. And when your credit card picks up the tab, the decision becomes effortless.

This guide covers which cards offer the credit, how the reimbursement works, and which card makes the most sense depending on your travel frequency and overall spending profile.

How the Credit Works

Most credit cards that cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck issue the benefit as a statement credit. Here is how it typically works:

1. You apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck through the official government websites (ttp.cbp.dhs.gov for Global Entry, universalenroll.dhs.gov for TSA PreCheck).
2. You pay the application fee with the eligible credit card.
3. The charge posts to your account.
4. Within one to two billing cycles, a statement credit for the same amount appears on your account, effectively zeroing out the cost.

The credit is usually available once every four or five years, aligning with the membership renewal cycle. Some cards specify "every four years" while others say "once per cardmember." Read the fine print on your specific card.

Important: you must pay with the card that offers the benefit. If you accidentally use a different card, you will not receive the reimbursement, and most issuers will not retroactively apply the credit.

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck: Which Should You Get?

TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) gives you access to expedited security screening at airports. You keep your shoes on, your laptop stays in the bag, and you go through a shorter line. It works on domestic flights and some international departures.

Global Entry ($100 for 5 years) includes all TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs and immigration processing when you re-enter the United States from international trips. Instead of waiting in the regular customs line, you use an automated kiosk that takes about 30 seconds.

If you ever leave the country — even once in five years — Global Entry is worth the extra $22. Since most credit cards reimburse up to $100, there is no cost difference between the two when using a card with this benefit.

Best Cards With Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

Premium Travel Cards (Best Overall Value)

Chase Sapphire Reserve — $550 annual fee. The Reserve has offered the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit since its launch and remains one of the best overall travel cards. The credit applies once every four years. Beyond this perk, you earn 3X points on travel and dining, receive a $300 annual travel credit, and get Priority Pass lounge access. If you travel three or more times per year, the Reserve pays for itself.

American Express Platinum — $695 annual fee. The Platinum Card reimburses Global Entry every four years or TSA PreCheck every four and a half years. The Platinum is the most perk-dense card on the market with Centurion Lounge access, airline fee credits, hotel elite status, and a long list of monthly statement credits. It is a strong choice for very frequent travelers.

Capital One Venture X — $395 annual fee. The Venture X covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years and adds a $300 annual travel credit (applied against Capital One Travel bookings), 10,000 bonus miles on your card anniversary, and Priority Pass lounge access. At $395, it delivers premium travel perks at a lower price point than the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum.

Mid-Tier Travel Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred — $95 annual fee. The Sapphire Preferred covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years. At $95, this is one of the most affordable cards with this benefit. You also earn 3X on dining and 2X on travel, making it a solid all-around travel card for moderate travelers.

Amex Green Card — $150 annual fee. The Green Card reimburses the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee and earns 3X on travel and transit and 3X on dining. The $150 annual fee is reasonable given the earning rates and this perk.

United Explorer Card — $95 annual fee. This airline-specific card covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and also offers a free first checked bag on United flights, two United Club passes per year, and priority boarding. If you are a United loyalist, this card makes the perk essentially free.

Business Cards

Chase Ink Business Preferred — $95 annual fee. The Ink Business Preferred covers the application fee and is the most popular business card with this perk. It earns 3X on travel, shipping, internet, and advertising.

Amex Business Platinum — $695 annual fee. Like its personal counterpart, the Business Platinum covers Global Entry every four years with extensive travel and business perks on top.

Stacking the Credit for Families

Here is where this benefit gets particularly valuable. If you and your partner each have a card that covers Global Entry, you can both enroll for free — that is $200 in savings. Some cardholders even cover family members by having the family member apply for Global Entry and paying the fee with the cardholder's eligible card.

For example, if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve and your spouse has a Capital One Venture X, that covers two Global Entry applications across two different cards. Your teenager is not eligible for their own credit card, but you can pay their Global Entry application fee on your card and the credit will still apply.

This strategy works because the benefit is tied to the charge appearing on the card, not to the identity of the person applying.

The Application Process

Global Entry requires an online application, a background check, and an in-person interview at an enrollment center (usually located at major airports). The entire process takes four to six months in normal times, though processing speeds vary.

Tips for a faster approval:

• Apply through the Trusted Traveler Programs website directly, not through a third-party service.
• Complete the application thoroughly. Incomplete answers lead to delays.
• Schedule your interview at a less popular enrollment center. Airports like JFK and LAX have months-long waits. Smaller airports or land border crossings often have availability within weeks.
• Use Enrollment on Arrival if available. Some airports allow conditionally approved applicants to complete their interview upon arriving from an international flight, skipping the need to schedule a separate appointment.

TSA PreCheck is simpler. You apply online, then visit an enrollment center for a brief in-person appointment where they verify your identity and take your fingerprints. Most people can complete the process within two weeks.

Is It Worth Getting a Card Just for This Perk?

No. The Global Entry credit is worth $100 every five years, or $20 per year. That is a nice bonus but not a reason to choose a card. Instead, choose a card that aligns with your spending patterns and travel habits, and treat the Global Entry credit as icing on the cake.

That said, if you are deciding between two similar cards and one offers the Global Entry credit while the other does not, it is a meaningful tiebreaker — especially if you have family members who also need enrollment.

Renewal Reminder

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck both expire after five years. Set a calendar reminder to renew three months before expiration, and make sure to pay the renewal fee with an eligible credit card. The statement credit applies to renewals just as it does to initial applications.

If you have changed credit cards since your original enrollment, verify that your current card still offers this benefit before renewing. Card terms change, and a perk that existed when you signed up may have been modified since then.

The bottom line: if you fly at all, Global Entry is one of the easiest travel wins available. Pair it with a credit card that reimburses the fee, and you get five years of faster security and customs processing for free.