If you love to travel, arriving at the airport can be an exciting experience. But if there are long security lines, that elation can evaporate pretty quickly.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry provide travelers with expedited airport security screening, allowing them to skip long lines and get to their gate more quickly. The application fee for the programs are $85 and $100, respectively. But with the right credit card, you can effectively get free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.
Here’s what you need to know about both traveler programs and which credit cards will reimburse you when you apply.
What does TSA PreCheck include?
TSA PreCheck launched in 2011 and has more than 7 million members today. The program is designed to accelerate the security screening process for flights originating in the U.S. There are TSA PreCheck stations at more than 200 airports throughout the country, with 65 airlines participating.
To qualify for TSA PreCheck, you need to submit an application and complete a background check and fingerprinting during an in-person appointment at the airport. If you qualify, the membership lasts for five years. You’ll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you’ll add to your reservation when booking a flight. Your KTN will then appear on your boarding pass. When you get to the airport, you’ll go through a different lane at security and won’t need to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belt, or light jacket.
If you have children who are 12 or younger with you, they can join you in the TSA PreCheck lane. Other family members, however, may be required to go through the standard security lane unless they’re also members of the program.
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 92% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes to get through security in March 2019.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry membership costs a little bit more at $100 for five years. But even if you’re not getting it covered by your credit card, the extra $15 is usually worth it because Global Entry includes eligibility for TSA PreCheck.
The primary purpose of Global Entry, which was introduced in 2008 and has more than 5.4 million members, is to provide expedited screening at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) security checkpoints in 75 airports worldwide.
Instead of going through the regular inspection line, you use an automated kiosk, present your passport or permanent resident card, scan your fingerprints, and submit your customs declaration.
Unfortunately, young family members can’t accompany you as they can with TSA PreCheck. Each person needs to have their own Global Entry membership to use the kiosk.
Depending on the situation, a Global Entry membership can save you a lot of time when returning to the U.S. from a trip abroad.
How to get “free” TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
Several travel rewards credit cards offer free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership in the form of a reimbursement of the application fee or by using rewards points. The statement credit typically happens automatically, so you’ll just need to set up an appointment with the correct agency and use your credit card to pay the fee.
Depending on the card, it can take up to a couple of months to be reimbursed, but you can usually expect to get it sooner than that.
Here’s a list of the credit cards that provide this benefit to cardholders.
| Card | Reimbursement Details | Annual Fee |
Arvest Visa Signature card | Up to $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $0 |
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $95 (See rates and fees) |
| BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards | $85 credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $89 (waived first year) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years or Global Entry every four years | $695 Terms apply |
| Capital One Spark Miles for Business | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $95 (waived first year) |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $95 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $395 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $550 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years | $450 |
| Commerce Bank World Elite Mastercard | $85 toward TSA PreCheck every four years | $95 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years | $250 Terms apply |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years | $550 Terms apply |
| Diners Club Carte Blanche Corporate Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years | Not disclosed |
| HSBC Premier World Mastercard Credit Card | $85 credit toward TSA PreCheck only, every five years | $0 |
| IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $99 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card | Use points to pay for TSA PreCheck | $0 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Use points to pay for TSA PreCheck | $95 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years or Global Entry every four years | $650 Terms apply |
| Mastercard® Black Card™ | $100 credit toward Global Entry only, every five years | $495 |
| Mastercard® Gold Card™ | $100 credit toward Global Entry only, every five years | $995 |
| Navy Federal Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $49 |
| PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $95 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years or Global Entry every four years | $695 Terms apply |
| Provident World+ Travel | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $45 (waived first year) |
| Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $199 |
| SunTrust Travel Rewards | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years | $89 (waived first year) |
| UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $495 |
| United Club℠ Infinite Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $525 |
| United℠ Explorer Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $95 (waived first year) |
| United Quest℠ Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $250 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years | $400 |
| U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold | Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years | $85 |
FAQs about TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
While both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry offer the benefit of expedited airport security, the programs have an important difference. TSA PreCheck accelerates the security screening process for flights originating in the U.S., while Global Entry membership may save you time at U.S. customs after you return from
a trip abroad. Yes, you get TSA PreCheck benefits with a Global Entry membership. U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in NEXUS or SENTRI can also get TSA PreCheck benefits. While you technically can't get a Global Entry membership for free, you can get a fee credit. Several rewards credit cards and certain airline loyalty programs offer
reimbursement for the $100 application fee. Rewards cards that offer this reimbursement include: You can also redeem your United MileagePlus miles for a Global Entry fee credit. Approval times can vary by application, but according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, approvals typically take about six months.Which is better: TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
Do you get TSA PreCheck with Global Entry?
How can I get Global Entry for free?
How long does it take to get approved for Global Entry?
How to pick the right card
As you can see, many of the best travel credit cards offer free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership. While some charge steep annual fees — those cards also come with other premium perks — many of them charge modest fees, and some don't charge an annual fee
at all.
As you compare these cards, consider them holistically, including this benefit as well as their rewards programs, sign-up bonuses, other perks, and annual fees. There’s no single best credit card out there for everyone, so it’s good to know what you want before you apply.
Regardless of which one you choose, you’re one step closer to shorter lines and a quicker security experience at the airport.
Author Details
Ben Luthi Ben is a personal finance and travel writer who loves helping people achieve their money goals. Along with FinanceBuzz, his writing has also been featured on U.S. News, NerdWallet, Experian, Credit Karma, and more.