Several major credit cards reimburse the full TSA PreCheck process fee, but the card must be in your name and the fee must post to your statement
TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for a five-year membership. A number of credit cards from major issuers — Chase, American Express, Capital One, and others — will reimburse this fee as a cardholder benefit. The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within one to three billing cycles after you pay the TSA fee directly to the Transportation Security Administration.
The card must be active and in your own name. You cannot use someone else's card to pay for your TSA PreCheck and expect a reimbursement on their account. The fee must also be charged to the card itself — paying through a third-party service or using a debit card linked to the credit card account will not trigger the benefit.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and several other premium Chase cards cover the full TSA PreCheck fee as a statement credit.
- American Express Platinum and American Express Business Platinum both reimburse TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees up to $100 per year.
- Capital One Venture X and a handful of other travel-focused cards include TSA PreCheck reimbursement, though the benefit varies by card.
- You must pay the TSA directly with the card that offers the benefit — the fee will not be reimbursed if you use a different payment method or card.
- Check your card's current benefits guide before paying, because card issuers change benefits periodically and not all versions of a card include this feature.
Chase Cards That Cover TSA PreCheck
Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred both include a statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees. The benefit covers up to $100 per year, which is more than enough for TSA PreCheck alone. Both cards reimburse the fee automatically once it posts to your statement — you do not need to submit a claim or receipt.
Chase Preferred also covers the fee, though the benefit is sometimes called "TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit" and is capped at $100 per year. Chase Freedom Unlimited does not include this benefit, nor do most Chase business cards, though Chase Ink Business Preferred does. Always check the benefits guide for your specific card before paying the TSA fee, because Chase has adjusted these benefits over time.
American Express Cards That Cover TSA PreCheck
American Express Platinum includes a $100 annual credit that covers TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS fees. The credit applies automatically once the fee posts to your statement. American Express Business Platinum offers the same benefit — a $100 annual credit for any of these trusted traveler programs.
The American Express Green Card does not include this benefit. Centurion Card members also receive the credit, but that card is by invitation only. If you hold multiple American Express cards, the credit typically applies to only one card per calendar year, so coordinate which card you use to pay the TSA fee.
Other Cards With TSA PreCheck Reimbursement
Capital One Venture X covers TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fees up to $100 per year. The credit posts as a statement credit once the fee is charged to the card. Capital One Venture (the non-X version) does not include this benefit.
Citi Prestige and Citi Premier both include a $100 annual credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. The Citi Prestige also covers other trusted traveler programs. Some regional or co-branded cards may include this benefit as well, but it is less common outside the major issuers listed here.
How to Use Your Card's TSA PreCheck Benefit
Go to the official TSA PreCheck website (tsa.gov/precheck) and begin the process process. You will create an account, answer security questions, and upload required documents — typically a government-issued ID and proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency. The TSA will review your process and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center near you.
At your appointment, bring the documents you uploaded plus your credit card. Pay the TSA PreCheck fee directly with the card that offers the reimbursement benefit. The fee will post to your statement within a few days. The statement credit should appear within one to three billing cycles. Do not pay through a payment plan, third-party service, or any method other than charging the card directly.
Keep your receipt and the confirmation email from the TSA. If the statement credit does not appear after three billing cycles, contact your card issuer with the receipt and the charge date. Most issuers will process the credit manually if there is a delay.
What Happens If Your Card Does Not Include This Benefit
If your card does not offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement, you have a few options. You can explore for one of the cards listed above if you are interested in the benefit and meet the card's other requirements. You can also pay the TSA PreCheck fee out of pocket — $78 to $85 is the standard cost, though some enrollment centers may charge slightly more.
Some employers offer TSA PreCheck as a benefit and will reimburse the fee directly. Check with your human resources department to see if your company covers it. A few professional associations and unions also cover the fee for members, so if you belong to an organization, ask whether they do.
Important Details About the Reimbursement
The reimbursement covers only the TSA PreCheck process fee itself, not any fees charged by the enrollment center for the appointment or any other services. If you are renewing your TSA PreCheck, the same benefit applies — the card will reimburse the renewal fee as long as it is charged to the card directly.
The benefit year typically runs on a calendar year basis (January through December) or on your card's anniversary date, depending on the issuer. If you have multiple cards from the same issuer, you can usually use the benefit on only one card per year. Check your card's benefits guide to confirm the exact terms.
If you close the card after paying the TSA PreCheck fee but before the statement credit posts, the credit may not appear. The credit is tied to the active account, so keep the card open through at least one full billing cycle after the fee posts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my spouse's credit card to pay for my TSA PreCheck and get the reimbursement on their card?
No. The card must be in your name, and you must be the cardholder. The benefit reimburses the cardholder, not the person who received the TSA PreCheck. If your spouse wants to use their card's benefit, they would need to pay for their own TSA PreCheck process.
What if I pay the TSA PreCheck fee with a debit card that is linked to my credit card account?
The reimbursement will not explore. The fee must be charged directly to the credit card itself. Debit card payments, even if they draw from an account associated with the credit card, do not trigger the benefit.
How long does it take for the statement credit to appear after I pay the TSA fee?
The TSA fee typically posts to your statement within a few days. The statement credit from your card issuer usually appears within one to three billing cycles after that. If it does not appear within three cycles, contact your card issuer with your receipt and the charge date.
Do I need to submit a claim or receipt to get the reimbursement?
No. The reimbursement is automatic — it posts as a statement credit once the TSA PreCheck fee appears on your statement. You do not need to file a claim or upload a receipt, though you should keep your receipt in case the credit is delayed and you need to contact the issuer.
Does the benefit cover Global Entry or NEXUS instead of TSA PreCheck?
Yes. Most cards that offer this benefit cover TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS — you can choose which program to use the credit for. Global Entry costs more than TSA PreCheck but includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so some people use the credit for Global Entry instead. Check your card's benefits guide to confirm it covers the program you want.