There are some fantastic programs that can save you a lot of time at the airport, including Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. While these programs have enrollment fees, one of the nice things is that there are many credit cards that offer credits that can help offset these.
In this post I wanted to share a consolidated list of the cards with the major issuers that offer credits that can be used for these programs.
In this post:
Best credit cards for Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
I’ve written in the past about Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, so I won’t get into too much detail on the programs as such here. Let me just broadly recap a few points:
- Global Entry gets you expedited immigration, whereby you can use a kiosk upon arrival in the United States, and generally don’t have to be interviewed by an immigration officer; then there’s also a special customs lane for those with Global Entry (see my guides to applying for Global Entry and renewing Global Entry)
- TSA PreCheck gets you access to special security lanes at airports, whereby you don’t have to take off your shoes, can leave your laptop and liquids in your bags, and can go through an x-ray rather than a full body scanner
- You can pay to register for either program individually, though in general your best bet is registering for Global Entry, as it also comes with TSA PreCheck (TSA PreCheck, on the other hand doesn’t come with Global Entry)
With that out of the way, let’s look at the credit cards with the five biggest card issuers in the points space, and which of their cards offer these credits (you can find a full list of eligible cards here).
American Express cards with credits
Select American Express cards offer either a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. American Express cards have the following terms associated with this:
- The application fee must be paid with the card, though you can use your credit for someone else
- The credit is valid every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck, or every four years for Global Entry
- The credit should post to your account within eight weeks of making an eligible purchase
The following American Express cards offer this perk:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (review)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review)
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (review)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (review)
Bank of America cards with credits
Select Bank of America cards offer either a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. Bank of America cards have the following terms associated with this:
- The application fee must be paid with the card, though you can use your credit for someone else
- The credit is valid every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- The credit should post to your account within three weeks of making an eligible purchase
The following Bank of America cards offer this perk:
Capital One cards with credits
Select Capital One cards offer either a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. Capital One cards have the following terms associated with this:
- The application fee must be paid with the card, though you can use your credit for someone else
- The credit is valid every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- The credit should post to your account within two billing cycles of making an eligible purchase
The following Capital One cards offer this perk:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) (Rates & Fees)
- Capital One Venture X Business (review) (Rates & Fees)
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review) (Rates & Fees)
- Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card (review) (Rates & Fees)
Chase cards with credits
Select Chase cards offer either a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit (something that sets Chase apart is that you can use this credit toward NEXUS as well, which other card issuers don’t allow). Chase cards have the following terms associated with this:
- The application fee must be paid with the card, though you can use your credit for someone else
- The credit is valid every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS
- The credit should post to your account within one to two billing cycles of making an eligible purchase
The following Chase cards offer this perk:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (review)
- Aeroplan® Credit Card (review)
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (review)
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (review)
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (review)
- United Club℠ Infinite Card (review)
- United Quest℠ Card (review)
- United℠ Explorer Card (review)
Citi cards with credits
Select Citi cards offer either a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. Citi cards have the following terms associated with this:
- The application fee must be paid with the card, though you can use your credit for someone else
- The credit is valid every five years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- The credit should post to your account within one to two billing cycles of making an eligible purchase
The following Citi cards offer this perk:
Bottom line
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and NEXUS, are all incredibly useful programs for frequent travelers. While the enrollment fee isn’t unreasonable to begin with ($50-100 for a membership lasting five years), you can get the best value by using a credit card that reimburses this fee.
All major card issuers have some cards offering this feature, and Chase especially stands out for offering credits with NEXUS as well. Cards with these features aren’t just ultra-premium cards with high annual fees, but in some cases they’re also cards with annual fees of under $100.
Have you used a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit from a credit card? If so, which one?
I just used my Delta Platinum Amex to renew my son’s global entry. As soon as the credit posts to my account, I am cancelling that card…
Cool, I didn't know about Chase also covering NEXUS. Go figure, I just renewed this summer. I'll know for next time though!
You missed US Bank Altitude Reserve.
He missed quite a few (credit unions have cards that will do this). These are the cards that fuel this space.