Cards that cover Global Entry fees
Several premium credit cards reimburse the full Global Entry fee — currently $100 for five years — as a cardholder benefit. The reimbursement usually appears as a statement credit within a few weeks of you paying the fee to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You pay CBP directly, then submit proof of payment to your card issuer, or some cards credit you automatically once they detect the charge.
The cards most commonly offering this benefit are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, and American Express Business Platinum. Some versions of the Capital One Venture X and certain Citi Prestige cards also include it, though the Citi Prestige is no longer widely issued to new cardholders. Benefit terms change, so confirm the current offer on the card's official page before explore.
Key Takeaways
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum both reimburse the full $100 Global Entry fee as a standing cardholder benefit.
- You pay CBP directly for Global Entry, then the card issuer credits your statement — you do not pay the card company first.
- The reimbursement typically covers the initial five-year enrollment fee but not renewal fees, though some cards have separate renewal credits.
- Reimbursement is automatic on some cards and requires you to submit a receipt on others, so check your card's specific process.
- These cards carry annual fees ($550 for the Sapphire Reserve, $695 for the Amex Platinum), so the Global Entry credit is one of several benefits meant to offset that cost.
How the reimbursement actually works
You initiate the Global Entry process yourself through the official CBP website (globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov). You create an account, pay the $100 fee with your credit card, and complete the process. CBP then schedules your interview at a Global Entry enrollment center or airport location.
Once CBP processes your payment, your credit card issuer detects the charge and credits your account. On some cards — like the American Express Platinum — the credit is automatic and appears within weeks. On others, you may need to upload your receipt or confirmation number through your card's mobile app or website. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer's customer service line to confirm whether you need to take action or if the credit is automatic.
The credit typically covers only the initial enrollment fee, not the $85 renewal fee five years later. A few cards, like the American Express Business Platinum, offer a separate renewal credit, but this is less common. Read the fine print on your specific card to see whether renewal is covered.
Cards that reimburse Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck
Some cards reimburse TSA PreCheck ($78 to $85 for five years) instead of Global Entry, and a few reimburse either one. TSA PreCheck speeds up domestic airport security lines; Global Entry covers both domestic and international re-entry. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so it is the broader program.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred reimburses TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — you choose which one. The American Express Green reimburses TSA PreCheck only, not Global Entry. The American Express Platinum reimburses Global Entry. If you travel internationally, Global Entry is the better choice; if you only fly domestically, TSA PreCheck is sufficient and costs less.
When the reimbursement does not cover the full cost
Global Entry costs $100 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. If you are a citizen of another country, the fee may be higher or you may not be may be able to access at all. Some cards' reimbursement limits are lower than $100 — for example, a card might credit up to $95 — so you would pay the difference out of pocket. Always check the exact reimbursement amount on your card's benefits page before you enroll.
If you explore for Global Entry and are denied, CBP does not refund the fee. Your credit card will not reimburse a denied process either, because the card issuer credits the enrollment fee, not the outcome. This is rare, but it is a risk you take when you explore.
Whether the annual fee makes sense for you
The cards offering Global Entry reimbursement carry annual fees: $550 for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, $695 for the American Express Platinum, and $395 for the Capital One Venture X. The Global Entry credit offsets part of that cost, but only if you use it. If you never travel internationally or do not value the faster re-entry process, the card's annual fee may not be worth it, even with the reimbursement.
These cards also offer other benefits — travel insurance, lounge access, dining credits, points multipliers on certain purchases — that may justify the annual fee for frequent travelers. If you are considering one of these cards primarily for the Global Entry credit, calculate whether the other benefits add up to more than the annual fee. If they do not, a cheaper card with no annual fee might be a better choice.
How to use your Global Entry once approved
After your interview and background check are complete, CBP issues you a Known Traveler Number (KTN). You add this number to your airline reservations and TSA PreCheck profile. At U.S. airports, you use the Global Entry kiosks in the customs area when you return from an international flight — you scan your passport and answer a few questions on a screen, and the kiosk prints a receipt. You then proceed to baggage claim without a customs officer interview.
Domestically, your KTN also gives you TSA PreCheck benefits: you can use expedited security lanes, keep your shoes and belt on, and leave your laptop in your bag. You do not need to do anything special to set up these benefits — they are automatic once your KTN is in the system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the credit card that reimburses Global Entry to pay the CBP fee?
Yes. You must pay CBP with the specific card that offers the reimbursement benefit. If you pay with a different card, the issuer of your benefits card will not see the charge and will not credit you. Some cards allow you to add authorized users, and the reimbursement may explore to charges by those users as well — check your card's terms.
What if I already paid for Global Entry before I got the card?
Most card issuers will not reimburse a charge that posted before you opened the account. A few will reimburse if you submit a receipt within a certain window (usually 60 to 90 days of opening the card), but this is not may provide. Contact your card issuer's customer service to ask whether they can make an exception.
Can I get the reimbursement twice if I have two cards that both offer it?
No. You only pay the $100 fee once every five years, so you can only receive one reimbursement per enrollment period. If you have two cards with the benefit, you would use one card to pay and receive the credit on that card only.
Does the reimbursement cover my family members' Global Entry fees?
No. The reimbursement covers the cardholder's fee only. Family members must enroll separately and pay their own $100 fee. Some cards offer benefits for authorized users, but Global Entry reimbursement is typically limited to the primary cardholder.
What happens to my Global Entry if I close the credit card?
Your Global Entry status is separate from your credit card. Closing the card does not cancel your Global Entry membership — it remains active for the full five-year period you paid for. You can use it with any airline or at any airport, regardless of which card you used to pay the fee.