Even if you travel just a few times a year, having either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can make your time at the airport much better – and faster. And with long lines expected at airports as we head into the busy summer travel season, having one of these programs could be more important than ever.
TSA PreCheck will get you through those long security lines faster and allow you to leave on your coat, shoes, and belt – plus keep electronics and liquids tucked inside your bag. Global Entry, meanwhile, is your fast-track ticket through immigration after landing back in the U.S. But Global Entry is a two-for-one: It also includes a TSA PreCheck membership, making it the best choice if you're planning any international travel.
Of course, neither program is free: Global Entry currently costs $100 for a five-year membership … and come Oct. 1, that cost will increase to $120. Meanwhile, TSA PreCheck clocks in at $78 for a five-year membership (and now just $70 for online renewals).
But if you hold the right travel credit card, you can cover the enrollment cost of either program. Pay your application fee with one of the cards below, and a credit will kick in to automatically cover the charge. It works once every four years.
Even better: Children under 18 can now accompany parents a parent or guardian with PreCheck through those designated security lanes. And come Oct. 1, children under 18 can join Global Entry for free if their parent or guardian is already enrolled – though even kids will still have to apply and be approved separately. Together, those changes mean the TSA Precheck or Global Entry you get with these cards essentially covers your kids, too.
Whether you've already got one of these cards in your wallet or are looking for a new card with this perk, read on for our list of the best credit cards offering Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits.
Best Credit Cards Offering TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Credits
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One officially launched the *venture x* in late 2021 and it has been an immediate hit. The card offers a slew of premium benefits like a $300 annual travel credit for bookings made via the Capital One Travel Portal, Capital One Lounge access as well as access to Priority Pass lounges, and a credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of enrolling in either Global Entry or PreCheck.
All that for a $395 annual fee – a fraction of what other top-tier cards charge. To take advantage of the PreCheck or Global Entry credit, all you have to do is pay your application fee with your new Venture X Card. Within a few days, that credit will kick in automatically to cover the cost.
But you may want to enroll in Global Entry soon: Capital One hasn't yet said whether it will increase the Global Entry credit on the cards like the Venture X or Venture Rewards cards to match the new, higher $120 application fee when it goes into effect on Oct. 1.
Better yet, the card allows you to add up to four authorized users to your account at no additional fee. While those users won't get their own TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, they will get their own lounge access privileges with the ability to bring up to two guests for free with them on each visit.
Already have a regular Capital One Venture Card? You can still get the Venture X!
Capital One Venture miles can be redeemed for any travel expense – flights, hotels, cruises, etc. – just put the travel expense on your Venture X Card, then go back and cover the purchase using miles. Every mile is worth 1 cent toward travel, so 50,000 miles for example gets you $500 in flights, hotels, Airbnbs, and more. You can also transfer Venture Miles to nearly 20 different partner airline programs to get even more punch for your points.
Read more: Are You Eligible to Open the Capital One Venture X Card?
Learn more about the *venture x*.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Want Global Entry or TSA PreCheck from an even cheaper card? You're looking for the *capital one venture card*
Think of the card as the smaller sibling of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Card, with fewer perks … but a much smaller price tag, too: The annual fee on the card is only $95. You'll be on the hook for the $95 fee right away in year one – Capital One does not waive the annual fee for the first year.
But even for that modest annual fee, you still get the same credit of up to $100 to cover a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. Pay for your membership fee in either program with your Venture Card, and you're set.
Again, you might want to apply for Global Entry soon: Capital One hasn't yet said whether it will increase the Global Entry credit on the Venture card to cover the entire cost of the new, higher $120 enrollment fee come Oct. 1.
We still think the Venture X Card makes more sense thanks to the host of benefits that make it easy to recoup that fee. But this is a solid option at a lower price point.
Read next: Cheap Credit Cards That Get You Free TSA PreCheck & Global Entry
Learn more about the *capital one venture card*
The Platinum Card® from American Express
*amex platinum* is one of the best premium travel cards on the market … and it's priced accordingly. With an annual fee of $695 (see rates & fees), it isn't for everyone.
But credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck are one of the reasons we urge readers to do the math before ruling out cards with a big annual fee. Not only does the card offer up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, but it also offers a host of other premium benefits like a $200 airline incidental credit, up to a $200 hotel credit for hotel bookings made through Amextravel.com (though a two-night minimum stay is required for Hotel Collection bookings), up to a $200 annual credit for Uber rides, up to a $240 annual entertainment credit, up to a $100 annual credit to spend at Saks Fifth Avenue, and more.
Additionally, the card offers the best airport lounge access available from any credit card out there. There simply isn't a card that will improve your airport experience more than the Platinum Card from American Express.
Critically, the Platinum Card is also one of the only cards that also will reimburse you for for CLEAR®. Each year, the card provides up to $189 – enough to cover the annual cost of CLEAR membership. That means you could speed through security as fast as possible with both CLEAR and TSA PreCheck and whisk through immigration thanks to Global Entry – all covered by your Platinum Card.
The card also has a welcome bonus of 80,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership … but it can get much better. Be sure to check and see if you are eligible for a 175,000-point welcome bonus via CardMatch or seek out a friend or family member who can send you a referral link for the same bonus!
Card members can receive no more than one credit for up to $78 for TSA PreCheck or a $100 credit for Global Entry. You won't get a credit for each program. But unlike other cards on this list, Amex Platinum authorized users can get their own credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry!
Note: Amex hasn't yet said whether it will increase the Global Entry credit on the cards like the Platinum Card to match the new, higher $120 enrollment fee when it goes into effect on Oct. 1.
Read next: 8 Great Ways to Use a Platinum Card Welcome Bonus
Learn more about *amex platinum*.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve
The *chase sapphire reserve* is another option for securing up to a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS once every four years. Best of all, Chase has said that credit will increase to $120 to cover the higher Global Entry enrollment fee come Oct. 1.
Outside of the $100 (soon $120) credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit it offers, the Sapphire Reserve also comes with Priority Pass Lounge access, access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, an annual $300 travel credit that can be used for any travel expense, and a host of other premium travel perks.
The Sapphire Reserve card comes with a $550 annual fee.
Read next: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Still Worth the Annual Fee?
Learn more about the *chase sapphire reserve*.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
A few years back, the *delta skymiles platinum card* joined the long list of cards that cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment once every four years. If you've already got this card in your wallet, just pay for your application with it and that credit will automatically kick in.
On top of that, the card earns 3x SkyMiles per dollar spent at both hotels and on Delta purchases and earns 2x SkyMiles per dollar spent at both restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. You'll also get a bunch of statement credits to help offset the annual fee including up to a $120 rideshare credit (doled out in $10 monthly installments), up to a $240 annual Resy credit (doled out in $20 monthly installments), and up to a $200 annual Delta Stays credit. You'll also get a companion pass for a buy-one-get-one free ticket each year on your cardmember anniversary.
But the card's annual fee is $350 (see rates & fees). So if it's just signing up for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck that you're after, there are better options. The top-tier *delta reserve card* also offers the same credit of up to $100 to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Cardholders can receive no more than one credit for up to $85 for TSA PreCheck or a $100 credit for Global Entry. You won't get a credit for each program. And Amex hasn't said whether it will increase the Global Entry credit on these cards to cover the full cost of the new, higher enrollment fee when it increases to $120 on Oct. 1.
Learn more about the *delta skymiles platinum card*
The United℠ Explorer Card
The *united explorer* is another great, affordable option to get signed up for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. If you're a frequent United flyer, this card can make sense for several reasons.
For starters, it's one of the cheapest options to get Global Entry or PreCheck through a credit card on this list. The card has an annual fee of $95, but that's waived for the first year of card membership. The credit can also be used to reimburse a NEXUS membership which currently costs just $50 for a five-year membership.
The United Explorer card also earns 2x points per dollar spent on purchases at United, restaurants, delivery services, and hotel stays. And if you pay for your flight with your United card, you'll also get your first checked bag free. You'll also get priority boarding privileges and two, one-time passes to the United Club lounge each year on your cardmember anniversary. These passes normally cost $50.
But one of the best benefits of holding the United Airlines Explorer co-branded credit card is the increased access it unlocks for award seats on United Airlines flights. Just for holding the card, you will see more saver-level award seats available when you search for ways to redeem your miles. Oftentimes, there is additional award availability during peak travel times and/or more popular routes.
The newer *united quest* also offers a credit to cover the cost of Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, albeit with a steeper annual fee of $250.
Beginning Oct. 1, Chase will increase the credit on its travel cards, including the United cards, from $100 to $120 to cover the full, higher cost of Global Entry enrollment.
Learn more about the *united explorer*.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The *ihg rewards club premier* is another great option. This card offers up to $100 credit to cover the enrollment fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS, which will increase to $120 on Oct. 1.
On top of that application credit to cover the cost of any of those three programs, the card offers a free night each year on your card anniversary for properties that cost 40,000 points or less.
You will also get automatic IHG Platinum Elite Status as soon as you get the card. Platinum Elite status with IHG gets you complimentary room upgrades when available and a 50 percent point bonus on paid reservations. It also gets you guaranteed room availability, priority check-in, and free late checkout.
You will earn 26x points per dollar spent at IHG hotels, 5x points per dollar spent on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 3x points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
The card has an annual fee of $99.
Read next: The Best Ways to Use the IHG Free Night Certificate
Learn more about the *ihg rewards club premier*.
How Global Entry & PreCheck Work
Signing up for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is fairly straightforward. But the two programs are quite different.
Both start the same: You must fill out an online application and pay the fee with one of the cards from this list. Once conditionally approved, you'll head to a certified enrollment center for a short interview (bring your passport), fingerprinting, and a photo. If everything checks out, you should get the OK within a week or two.
However, Global Entry can be more time-consuming, no question. While it often just takes a few days to a week, getting conditionally approved can sometimes take months or more. Plus, you need to schedule an in-person interview – and that's not always easy.
Read our tips for scoring a Global Entry interview!
Your first time through the PreCheck lane, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to join the program. The security lines are often drastically shorter, but that’s only half the benefit. You can leave your shoes, a belt, and a light jacket on while going through security. Your laptop and the carry-on approved liquids in your bag can also stay put as they go through the baggage screeners.
But Global Entry is a bonafide two-for-one, as you'll get a quicker trip through customs and immigration when returning to the U.S. and PreCheck benefits to speed through security. If you can stomach a potentially longer wait to finalize your enrollment, go for Global Entry if you plan to do any international travel.
Renewing an existing Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership? Using your card with one of these credits to pay for the cost will work for that as well.
What About Authorized Users On These Credit Cards?
Adding an authorized user to your credit card means that a person will get their own physical card, which they can use to make purchases on your behalf.
It can be a great way to work toward the minimum spending requirement to earn a big welcome bonus. It’s a good option for spouses, families, or employees – especially if you want to share some sweet travel benefits. But for most cards on this list, authorized users will not get their own credit of up to $100 for this benefit … except for just one.
Authorized users on *amex platinum* do get their own credit of up to $100 to apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Like the benefit for primary cardholders, that credit is available once every four years. That's another great way to share some great travel perks by adding authorized users to your account.
For the rest of the cards on this list, that's not the case.
Read more: How to Get TSA PreCheck for the Whole Family with 1 Credit Card
Use Your Credit to Help a Friend or Family Member!
Already have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership? You can use the credit from these cards to pay the application fee for a friend, family member, or significant other instead!
No matter who you are paying for, the transaction will show up the same on your card statement and the automatic reimbursement of up to $100 (or $120) will kick in. Just keep in mind that while you can pay online for Global Entry, you'll likely be required to pay in person for your TSA PreCheck account. That may mean you want to accompany them to their in-person appointment.
Read more: Can Someone Else Use My Credit Card's Global Entry Credit?
Bottom Line
Getting Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is a slam dunk, as more and more credit cards offer these credit to reimburse your application fee. While these aren't the only credit cards offering Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, they are the cards that will give you the most bang for your buck.
And remember: Global Entry includes a TSA PreCheck membership. So if you plan on doing any international travel in the next five years, Global Entry may be the better option.