Cards that reimburse Global Entry and TSA PreCheck fees
Several credit cards will reimburse you for the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, but the reimbursement works differently depending on which card you hold. Most cards in this category reimburse the full fee — Global Entry costs $100 for five years, TSA PreCheck costs $85 to $100 for five years — but only if you charge it to that specific card. The reimbursement usually appears as a statement credit within one to three billing cycles after the charge posts.
The catch is that not every card offers this benefit, and the ones that do tend to be premium cards with annual fees of their own. You need to do the math: if a card costs $450 a year but gives you a $100 Global Entry credit, you are paying $350 net for the card's other benefits. If you would not use those other benefits, the card does not make financial sense, even with the reimbursement.
Key Takeaways
- Premium travel cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement, but most charge annual fees between $250 and $550.
- The reimbursement is automatic on some cards and requires you to submit a receipt on others — check your card's terms before you pay.
- Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so if you are choosing between the two, Global Entry gives you more for a slightly higher fee.
- The reimbursement typically posts as a statement credit within one to three billing cycles, not as a refund to your original payment method.
- Some cards limit reimbursement to once every four or five years, matching the renewal cycle of the programs themselves.
American Express cards with trusted traveler reimbursement
American Express offers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement on several of its premium cards. The Platinum Card comes with an automatic $200 annual credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or other trusted traveler programs — you do not need to submit a receipt. The Business Platinum Card offers the same benefit. Both cards charge annual fees ($695 for personal Platinum, $595 for Business Platinum), so the trusted traveler credit offsets part of that cost.
The American Express Gold Card does not include this benefit, so do not assume all premium Amex cards offer it. The Centurion Card (the black card, by invitation only) includes the reimbursement as well, but that card is not something you can straightforward request.
Chase cards with trusted traveler reimbursement
Chase's premium travel cards offer trusted traveler reimbursement, but the structure varies. The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes a $300 annual travel credit that can be used for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or other travel purchases like airfare and hotels. You must charge the trusted traveler fee to the card to receive the credit, and it posts as a statement credit.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not include trusted traveler reimbursement, even though it is a premium card. The Chase Ink Business Preferred and Chase Ink Business Premier also do not offer this benefit. Always check the current benefits guide for the specific card you are considering, because card benefits change and vary by card tier.
Capital One and other card issuers
Capital One's Venture X card includes a $300 annual travel credit that covers Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or other travel expenses. Like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you charge the fee to the card and receive a statement credit. The Venture X charges a $395 annual fee.
Discover, Bank of America, Citi, and other major issuers do not currently offer trusted traveler reimbursement on their standard card lineup. This benefit remains concentrated among premium travel cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One. If you hold a card from another issuer, check the benefits guide on your card's website or call the number on the back of your card to confirm whether reimbursement is available.
How the reimbursement process works
On cards like the American Express Platinum, the reimbursement is automatic — you charge Global Entry or TSA PreCheck to the card, and the credit appears on your statement without you having to do anything. On other cards, you may need to submit a receipt or proof of payment through your online account or by calling customer service.
The credit typically posts within one to three billing cycles. It appears as a statement credit, not a refund to your original payment method. If you paid Global Entry with a debit card or cash and then tried to claim the credit on a credit card, the reimbursement would not reverse the original charge — it would just reduce your credit card balance.
Some cards limit reimbursement to once per card membership year, and a few limit it to once every four or five years (matching the renewal cycle of the programs). Read the fine print on your card's benefits page to understand whether you can claim the credit every year or only once during the card's validity period.
Comparing the cost of the card to the reimbursement
A $100 Global Entry reimbursement sounds valuable, but it only makes sense if you would use the card anyway. The American Express Platinum costs $695 annually. If you value the Global Entry credit at $100, the card's net cost is $595. That is only worth it if you use the card's other benefits — airport lounge access, travel credits, concierge service — enough to justify $595 a year.
If you travel once or twice a year and do not use airport lounges, paying $695 for a card just to get a $100 credit is expensive. In that case, paying the $100 Global Entry fee out of pocket and using a no-annual-fee card for everyday spending is the smarter choice. Run the numbers for your own travel habits and spending patterns before you open a premium card.
Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck: which one to choose
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so if you are deciding which program to fund with your card's reimbursement, Global Entry is the better value. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and covers you at U.S. airports plus some international airports. TSA PreCheck costs $85 to $100 for five years and covers only U.S. airports. If you travel internationally at all, Global Entry is worth the extra $15 to $20.
Some cards specify that the reimbursement covers "Global Entry or TSA PreCheck" — they do not care which one you choose. Others may specify one or the other, so check your card's benefits guide. If your card reimburses TSA PreCheck but you want Global Entry, you would need to pay the difference out of pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card to pay for Global Entry to get the reimbursement?
Yes, on most cards. You must charge the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee directly to the card offering the reimbursement. If you pay with a different card or with cash, you will not receive the credit. The exception is American Express Platinum, which offers an automatic annual credit that you can use for any trusted traveler program, even if you pay with a different method — but you still need to request the credit through your Amex account.
What if I have multiple cards that offer this reimbursement?
You can only claim the reimbursement once per program per renewal cycle. If you hold both an American Express Platinum and a Chase Sapphire Reserve, you cannot charge Global Entry to both cards and receive two credits. Charge it to one card, receive one reimbursement, and wait until your next renewal to claim it again.
Does the reimbursement cover renewal fees?
Yes. When your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck expires and you renew, the reimbursement covers the renewal fee the same way it covers the initial fee. Charge the renewal to your card and the credit will post.
What happens if I cancel the card before I use the reimbursement?
If you cancel the card before you charge Global Entry to it, you lose access to the reimbursement benefit. If you have already received the credit and then cancel, you keep the credit — it is yours. Some cards require you to keep the account open for a certain period after receiving the credit, so check your card's terms.
Can I use the reimbursement for other trusted traveler programs like NEXUS or SENTRI?
Some cards specify Global Entry or TSA PreCheck only, while others cover "trusted traveler programs" more broadly. NEXUS and SENTRI are trusted traveler programs, but not all cards that offer reimbursement will cover them. Check your specific card's benefits guide or call customer service to confirm what programs are covered.