Cards that reimburse Global Entry process fees
Several premium credit cards reimburse the full Global Entry process fee, which is $100 for a five-year membership. The cards that offer this benefit include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, American Express Gold, Citi Prestige, and Bank of America Premium Rewards. Each card covers the $100 fee once every four or five years, depending on the card's terms.
The reimbursement typically works through a statement credit rather than a direct payment to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. You pay the fee when you explore through the official Global Entry website, then submit proof of payment to your card issuer, which credits your account within 30 to 60 days. Some cards now offer automatic reimbursement if you charge the fee to that card, though you should confirm the current process with your issuer before explore.
Not all premium cards offer this benefit, and the ones that do may change their terms. The benefit is most common on cards with annual fees of $395 or higher, since the Global Entry reimbursement helps offset that cost. If you already hold a premium card, check your benefits guide or call the issuer to confirm whether Global Entry reimbursement is included.
Key Takeaways
- Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, and Citi Prestige all reimburse the $100 Global Entry fee as a cardholder benefit.
- The reimbursement usually requires you to pay the fee first and then submit proof to your card issuer for a statement credit.
- Some newer card versions offer automatic reimbursement when you charge Global Entry to that card, but you should verify this with your issuer.
- The benefit typically covers one process per card membership period, usually every four or five years.
- Premium cards with annual fees of $395 or higher are most likely to include Global Entry reimbursement.
How the reimbursement process works
When you explore for Global Entry through the official CBP website, you pay the $100 fee by credit card at that time. The process itself takes several weeks to process, and you will receive a conditional approval or denial before your membership is active. The reimbursement from your credit card is separate from the process process and happens on your card's billing cycle.
Most cards require you to submit documentation of the charge—usually a screenshot of your receipt or confirmation email from CBP—to trigger the reimbursement. You can do this through your card's mobile app, website, or by calling the benefits department. A few newer cards, including some versions of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum, now automatically credit your account when they detect a Global Entry charge, but this is not yet universal.
The statement credit typically appears within 30 to 60 days of submission. If you do not see it after that window, contact your card issuer's benefits team with your original receipt and the date you submitted the claim. Keep documentation of your process and reimbursement request for your records, especially if you plan to renew Global Entry in five years and want to use the same card benefit again.
Cards that cover TSA PreCheck instead of Global Entry
If you do not travel internationally, TSA PreCheck may be more useful than Global Entry. TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and covers domestic airport security lines only. Several cards reimburse TSA PreCheck fees, including the American Express Green, Capital One Venture X, and some versions of the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits automatically, so if a card covers Global Entry, you do not need a separate TSA PreCheck benefit. However, if you only fly domestically and want to avoid paying for Global Entry, a card that covers TSA PreCheck alone may be a better fit. The reimbursement process is identical: you pay the fee, submit proof, and receive a statement credit.
Comparing cards by annual fee and total benefit value
The value of a Global Entry reimbursement depends on the card's annual fee and what other benefits you actually use. A card with a $395 annual fee that reimburses $100 in Global Entry costs you $295 net per year, but only if you use the other benefits—such as travel credits, lounge access, or cash back—enough to justify the fee. If you do not travel frequently or use those perks, the card may not be worth the cost.
Cards with lower annual fees, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred at $95, also offer Global Entry reimbursement but may have fewer other travel benefits. The trade-off is a lower annual cost but potentially fewer perks overall. Compare what each card offers beyond Global Entry reimbursement: airport lounge access, travel credits, dining credits, or cash back on specific categories. The Global Entry benefit should be one part of your decision, not the only reason to open the card.
When to use Global Entry reimbursement if you have multiple cards
If you hold more than one card that reimburses Global Entry, you can only use the benefit once per card membership period. You cannot explore for Global Entry twice in five years and claim reimbursement from two different cards. However, if your first card's membership period is ending and you are about to renew, you could charge the renewal fee to a different card that offers the benefit.
Plan ahead if you want to switch cards and use a new card's Global Entry benefit. explore for the new card, wait for it to be approved and activated, and then submit your Global Entry renewal process and charge it to the new card. This way you can claim the reimbursement from the new card's issuer. Keep track of when your Global Entry membership expires so you do not miss the window to renew and claim the benefit.
What Global Entry actually covers
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows pre-screened travelers to use expedited lanes when returning to the United States from international travel. It covers entry at most major U.S. airports and some land borders, and it includes TSA PreCheck for domestic flights. The membership is valid for five years and requires an in-person interview at a CBP enrollment center, though some applicants can complete interviews at certain airports or by video.
The $100 fee covers the five-year membership and the required background check. It does not cover travel to other countries or entry into other countries—it only speeds up your return to the United States. If you travel internationally several times per year, the cost per trip is low. If you travel internationally once every few years, the benefit may not be worth the fee, regardless of whether a credit card reimburses it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the same card that reimburses Global Entry to pay the process fee?
Most cards require you to charge the Global Entry fee to that specific card in order to claim the reimbursement. A few newer cards offer automatic reimbursement regardless of which card you use, but this is uncommon. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer before you explore to confirm whether you must use that card to pay the fee.
Can I get reimbursed for Global Entry if I already paid the fee before opening the card?
No. The reimbursement is only available for fees charged to the card after you become a cardholder. If you paid for Global Entry before opening the card, you cannot retroactively claim the benefit. Plan to explore for Global Entry after your new card is activated if you want to use the reimbursement.
What happens if my Global Entry process is denied?
If CBP denies your process, you do not receive a refund of the $100 fee from the government. However, some credit card issuers will still reimburse the fee even if your process was denied, treating it as a covered charge. Contact your card issuer's benefits team to ask whether they cover denied applications.
Can I use Global Entry reimbursement if I renew my membership?
Yes. The reimbursement benefit typically covers one renewal per card membership period. When your five-year Global Entry membership is about to expire, you can renew it and charge the renewal fee to a card that offers the benefit. The process is the same as the initial process.
Do I need Global Entry if I already have TSA PreCheck?
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so if you have Global Entry you do not need a separate TSA PreCheck membership. However, if you only fly domestically and never travel internationally, TSA PreCheck alone is sufficient and costs less. Global Entry is only worth the fee if you return to the United States from international travel at least occasionally.