Several premium credit cards reimburse the full Global Entry fee, but the card you choose determines whether you get the credit once every four years or every year

Global Entry costs $100 for a four-year membership. A handful of premium travel and business credit cards reimburse this fee in full, though the terms differ: some cards credit the $100 once per four-year cycle, while others credit it annually (meaning you could theoretically get $100 back every year if you renew). The most common cards offering this benefit are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the American Express Platinum Card, and the Citi Prestige Card, though the list includes others. The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within weeks of you paying Global Entry's process fee.

The catch is that these cards carry annual fees ranging from $395 to $550, so the Global Entry credit alone does not make the card worthwhile. You need to use the card's other benefits — travel credits, lounge access, points multipliers — to justify keeping it. If you travel infrequently or do not value those perks, a card with a lower annual fee and no Global Entry credit may cost you less overall.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee) and American Express Platinum Card ($695 annual fee) both reimburse Global Entry fees, though the Amex card credits $100 per year while the Sapphire Reserve credits $100 per four-year cycle.
  • The Citi Prestige Card ($495 annual fee) reimburses Global Entry once per four-year membership period, similar to the Sapphire Reserve.
  • Global Entry reimbursement is a statement credit that appears after you pay the process fee directly to the Department of Homeland Security; the card issuer does not pay Global Entry directly.
  • These cards justify their high annual fees through travel credits, airport lounge access, and bonus points on travel purchases, not through the Global Entry credit alone.
  • If you do not travel frequently or do not use the card's other benefits, the annual fee will likely exceed the value you receive.

Chase Sapphire Reserve and the four-year reimbursement model

The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee and reimburses up to $100 of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees once per four-year membership cycle. This means if you pay for Global Entry in year one, you receive the $100 credit. If you renew Global Entry in year five, you receive another $100 credit. The reimbursement is automatic — you do not need to submit receipts or request it — and appears as a statement credit within a few weeks of the charge posting.

The Sapphire Reserve also includes a $300 annual travel credit (which covers airfare, hotels, rental cars, and some other travel expenses), Priority Pass Select lounge access, and 3 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases. For frequent travelers, these benefits often offset the annual fee. For someone who travels once or twice a year, the math becomes tighter.

American Express Platinum Card and the annual reimbursement model

The American Express Platinum Card has a $695 annual fee and reimburses up to $100 per year for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or similar trusted traveler programs. Unlike the Sapphire Reserve, which credits once per four-year cycle, the Amex Platinum credits $100 every year. If you renew Global Entry in year two, you receive another $100 credit. This structure means the Amex Platinum can fully cover Global Entry's cost every time you renew, not just once per membership period.

The Amex Platinum includes $200 in annual airline fee credits, $100 in annual Uber credits, Centurion Lounge access, and complimentary airport lounge access through various programs. It also earns 5 points per dollar on airfare and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. The card is designed for high-spend travelers who can use multiple credits each year.

Citi Prestige Card and the four-year cycle

The Citi Prestige Card carries a $495 annual fee and reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees once per four-year membership cycle, similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The reimbursement is capped at $100 and appears as a statement credit. The card also includes a $250 annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select, and 3 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases.

The Prestige Card's annual fee is lower than both the Sapphire Reserve and the Amex Platinum, which can make it appealing if you want Global Entry coverage without the highest-tier annual costs. However, Citi has periodically changed the card's benefits and availability, so you should verify current terms before explore.

Other cards that may cover Global Entry

Several other premium cards offer Global Entry reimbursement, though the terms and annual fees vary. The Bank of America Premium Rewards American Express (formerly the Premium Rewards Card) has offered Global Entry credits in the past, though benefits change. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card ($450 annual fee) includes a Global Entry credit as part of its benefits package. Some business cards, including the American Express Business Platinum, also offer similar reimbursements.

Because card benefits and annual fees change frequently, you should check the current terms on the issuer's website or call the card's customer service line before making a decision. A benefit that exists today may be removed or modified in the future, and new cards may be added to the list.

How the reimbursement actually works

The reimbursement is not automatic in the sense that the card issuer pays Global Entry directly. Instead, you pay the $100 fee to the Department of Homeland Security through Global Entry's official website, and then the card issuer credits your account after the charge posts. You need to use the credit card you are explore for to make the payment; if you pay with a different card or method, you will not receive the credit.

The credit typically appears within two to four weeks of the charge posting, though timing varies by issuer. Some cardholders report seeing it within days, while others wait longer. If you do not see the credit after a month, contact the card issuer's customer service to confirm the charge posted correctly and that you are may be able to access for the benefit.

Deciding whether a Global Entry card makes financial sense

The $100 Global Entry reimbursement is valuable only if the card's other benefits justify its annual fee. A $550 annual fee minus a $100 Global Entry credit still leaves $450 in net annual cost. If you use the card's travel credit, earn enough points to offset the fee, and value lounge access, the card may be worth it. If you travel rarely or do not use those other benefits, the annual fee will likely cost you money.

Consider how often you travel, whether you use airport lounges, and whether you can maximize the card's other credits. If you travel internationally more than once a year and value TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, a card that covers the fee makes sense. If you travel once a year or less, a card with a lower annual fee and no Global Entry benefit may be the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Global Entry credit if I already have TSA PreCheck?

Most cards allow you to use the credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, but not both simultaneously. If you already have TSA PreCheck, you can use the credit to renew it or to upgrade to Global Entry. Check your card's terms to confirm which programs are covered.

What if I get denied for Global Entry after paying the fee?

If you are denied for Global Entry, you can request a refund from the Department of Homeland Security. The card issuer will still credit your account for the $100 fee you paid, so you will not lose the benefit. You would then need to decide whether to reapply or use the credit toward TSA PreCheck instead.

Do I need to carry the card to use Global Entry?

No. Global Entry is tied to your fingerprints and background check, not to the credit card you used to pay for it. Once you are approved, you can use Global Entry at any airport regardless of which card you carry. The credit card is only used to pay the initial fee.

Can I get the Global Entry credit more than once if I have multiple cards from the same issuer?

No. Most issuers limit the Global Entry credit to once per four-year cycle per person, regardless of how many cards you hold. The exception is the American Express Platinum Card, which credits $100 per year, but you would still receive only one credit per year even if you held multiple Amex Platinum cards.

Does the Global Entry credit explore to family members?

No. The credit reimburses only the cardholder's Global Entry fee. If family members want Global Entry, they would need to pay the $100 fee themselves or each hold a card that offers the benefit. Some cards allow you to add authorized users, but the Global Entry credit does not extend to them.