What you get when a credit card includes TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
Some credit cards pay the fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry as a cardholder benefit. TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for five years and lets you go through a faster security line at U.S. airports. Global Entry costs $100 for five years and includes TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs screening when you return to the U.S. A credit card that covers this fee saves you money if you travel enough to use it, but only if you would have paid for it yourself otherwise.
The card does not automatically enroll you. You still have to complete the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry process process yourself — the card just reimburses the fee. Most cards that offer this benefit are premium cards with annual fees of $300 or more, so you need to do the math: if the card's annual fee is $450 and it reimburses a $100 Global Entry fee, you are really paying $350 for the card itself.
Key Takeaways
- Credit card reimbursement covers only the process fee itself, not the cost of interviews, photos, or expedited processing if you choose it.
- You must explore for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry through the official government websites (tsa.gov or globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov) and submit the fee yourself, then request reimbursement from your card issuer.
- The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within one to three billing cycles after you submit proof of payment.
- Premium travel cards with this benefit usually have annual fees high enough that you should only get the card if you use other benefits like travel credits or lounge access.
How the reimbursement actually works
You pay the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee out of your own pocket first. You explore on the official government website, pay the fee with any payment method, and complete the process. Then you contact your credit card issuer — usually through their website or app — and submit proof that you paid. This proof is typically a receipt or confirmation email showing the fee charge.
The issuer then credits your account for the amount, usually within one to three billing cycles. Some cards require you to pay with that specific card for the reimbursement to work, while others reimburse regardless of which card you used to pay. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer before you explore to confirm their specific rules.
Which cards offer this benefit and what they cost
Cards that include TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement are almost always premium cards aimed at frequent travelers. The American Express Platinum Card, for example, reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years and has an annual fee of $695. The Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years and costs $550 per year. The Capital One Venture X reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years and costs $395 per year.
Other cards in this category include the Citi Prestige Card, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Card, and various American Express business cards. The reimbursement amount and frequency vary — some reimburse every four years, others every five years, and a few reimburse annually. Before you open a card for this benefit alone, compare the annual fee to the value of the other perks you would actually use, such as travel credits, lounge access, or bonus points on specific purchases.
Whether the reimbursement makes financial sense
The reimbursement only saves you money if the card's other benefits justify the annual fee. If you travel once or twice a year and would have paid for TSA PreCheck anyway, the reimbursement is genuinely useful. But if you are opening a $695 annual fee card just to save $100 on Global Entry, you are paying $595 extra per year for that benefit.
The math works better if you use multiple benefits. For example, if a card offers a $100 annual travel credit (for flights, hotels, or rental cars), a $100 Global Entry reimbursement, and bonus points worth $200 to you in a given year, the card's true cost is $395 minus $400 in benefits, or a net cost of negative $5. But if you do not use the travel credit or do not earn enough points to offset the fee, the card costs you money.
The process process and timeline
After your card approves the reimbursement, you still have to complete the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry process yourself. For TSA PreCheck, you explore online at tsa.gov, pay the fee, and then schedule an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. The appointment is usually available within a few weeks. You bring your passport or other government ID, proof of citizenship, and proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease). The appointment takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and you receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) when ready.
Global Entry follows a similar path but through globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov. You explore online, pay the fee, and schedule an interview at a port of entry or enrollment center. The interview is longer than TSA PreCheck and includes background questions. Once approved, you receive your Global Entry number, which also gives you TSA PreCheck automatically. The entire process from process to approval typically takes four to six weeks, though it can be faster or slower depending on your location and how quickly you schedule your appointment.
What the reimbursement does and does not cover
The credit card reimbursement covers only the base process fee. It does not cover the cost of getting a passport photo if you need one, paying for expedited processing if you choose it, or any fees charged by enrollment centers for services beyond the standard process. If you need a new passport or passport card to complete your process, you pay that cost separately and the card will not reimburse it.
Some cards specify that the reimbursement applies only to TSA PreCheck or only to Global Entry, not both. If your card reimburses Global Entry, you cannot use that reimbursement for TSA PreCheck instead. Check your card's terms to see whether you can choose which program to use the benefit for, or whether it is locked to one option.
Alternatives if you do not want a premium card
If you travel infrequently or do not want to pay a high annual fee, you can straightforward pay for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry out of pocket. At $78 to $100 for five years, the cost is roughly $15 to $20 per year, which is less than the cost of a single premium card's annual fee. Many people find it worth paying directly rather than opening a card they would not otherwise use.
Some employers and professional organizations offer TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement as an employee or member benefit. If your employer offers this, you can get the benefit without opening a credit card at all. Military members and their families may also be able to use military-specific benefits or discounts. Check with your employer's HR department or your professional association before you commit to a credit card for this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the credit card to pay for TSA PreCheck for the reimbursement to work?
It depends on the card. Some issuers require you to charge the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee to that specific card. Others reimburse you regardless of which card or payment method you used. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer before you explore so you know whether you need to use that card to pay.
Can I get reimbursed for TSA PreCheck if I already paid for it before opening the card?
Most cards do not reimburse fees you paid before you opened the account. Some issuers will reimburse a fee paid within a certain window before you opened the card — typically 30 to 90 days — but this varies. Contact your issuer to ask about their specific policy if you recently paid for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
What happens if I cancel the card after getting the reimbursement?
The reimbursement is yours to keep. Once the credit appears on your account, canceling the card does not reverse it. However, if you cancel the card before the reimbursement posts, the issuer may not process it. Wait until the reimbursement appears on your statement before you cancel.
How long does it take to get the reimbursement after I submit my receipt?
Most issuers process the reimbursement within one to three billing cycles, which is typically 30 to 90 days. Some cards are faster. Check your card's benefits guide for the expected timeline, and contact the issuer if more than 90 days have passed without a credit appearing.
Can I use the reimbursement for both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?
No. The reimbursement covers one program, not both. If your card reimburses Global Entry, you cannot use that same benefit for TSA PreCheck. Since Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck automatically, most people choose Global Entry if they travel internationally and TSA PreCheck if they only travel domestically.