Four Credit Cards That Pay for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Adam Luehrs October 28, 2019
This undated image released by the Transportation Security Administration shows a sign promoting the TSA PreCheck program at at Reagan National Airport in Washington. The Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program is open to some elite frequent fliers as well as travelers enrolled in one of the Customs & Border Protection's expedited entry programs: Global Entry, Nexus and Sentri. These travelers are considered less of a terrorist risk and therefore don't have to go through as stringent of a screening process. (AP Photo/TSA)
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You don’t get a ton of things that make it feel like Christmas morning as an adult. However, knowing that you can sail through the airport before your flight without getting held up by long lines and red tape is one of those things that can definitely put a little bit of joy in your heart. Until you have Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, you don’t know just how much you can get excited about expedited security screening. It is a game-changer for people who are in and out of airports on the regular.
The only thing better than getting Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is getting Global Entry or TSA PreCheck for free. The good news is that several credit cards will pay for both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. Take a look at a quick guide to getting someone else to foot the bill for your quick-as-lightning airport arrivals.
The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
The good news is that the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card offers free TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. However, you will need to jump through a few hoops before you can enjoy the perk. Capital One will actually reimburse you after you pay your application fee. The only small catch is that you’re going to have to remember to pay the fee using your Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card. You will receive a reimbursement amount of up to $100 within two billing cycles. In addition, you will receive one statement credit to cover the renewal cost every four years.
Read more about this and other Capital One credit cards in the FlyerTalk forum thread here.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Getting free TSA PreCheck and Global Entry through this card works pretty much the same way as getting it through the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card. You will receive a statement credit of up to $100 every four years as your reimbursement for your application fee. You just have to remember to pay your application fee using your Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. The other nice thing about this card for cardholders with serious wanderlust is that you’ll get $300 in travel credits annually.
Read more about Chase Sapphire Reserve and other Chase Credit Cards in the FlyerTalk forum threads here.
The Platinum Card® From American Express
The Platinum Card® is another card that takes care of you when it comes to Global Entry and PreCheck. You’ll get your fee for either application reimbursed once every four years. American Express will also cover additional applications for every additional card you have on qualifying accounts. The Platinum Card® by American Express also hooks you up with $200 in statement credits for airline fees and access to lounges that are part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
For everything you need to know about getting a new Platinum Card head to this thread FlyerTalk forum page here.
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card will reimburse cardholders for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees that are charged. The credit is good for up to $100 every four years. This travel-friendly card also offers perks like waived foreign transaction fees, travel insurance, baggage insurance and more.
To read more about the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, head here.
Get Global Entry and PreCheck for Free With the Right Card
Did you know that travelers with PreCheck status typically wait less than five minutes to board their flights? What’s more, Global Entry and TSA PreCheck members don’t need to worry about removing their shoes, belts, jackets, laptops or liquids when they show up at security lines. You’ll notice that the cards that pay for Global Entry and PreCheck all essentially have one big detail in common. Cards that cover Global Entry and PreCheck fees also tend to offer some pretty robust travel perks in general. That means that getting your application fee covered is really only the beginning when it comes to getting some supreme travel rewards. Of course, you’ll need to be patient enough to deal with the fact that cards that cover Global Entry and PreCheck costs will reimburse your payments instead of covering them in real-time.
If you want to apply for Global Entry, you should do so quickly, especially if you are planning a trip soon. Flyertalk forum members have reported long processing times and have waited months for approval. Here are a few tips for getting a faster global entry appointment.
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Unfortunately, even though I have a CSR, the credit doesn't help. As a traveller that goes with family between the US and Canada, typically 2-4 times a year, we all have Nexus - which includes Global Entry but adds the ability to be a trusted traveler into Canada as well (a slightly different, but similar, expedited entry process). While Nexus is half the cost ($50 per 5 year membership, and free to children under 16 (or maybe 18)), Chase refused to allow a credit for this (even though the charge is also done by US CBP). Don't know about the other cards, though.
I wish they would start covering Nexus as well. Nexus is half the price of GE and you still get Global entry and precheck