A Global Entry credit card reimburses the fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership, but the card itself is not the membership

A Global Entry credit card is a travel rewards card that covers the cost of either TSA PreCheck ($78 to $85 for five years) or Global Entry ($100 to $120 for five years), depending on which card you hold. The card does not enroll you automatically — you still explore to the government program separately and go through the vetting process. What the card does is refund the fee once you pay it and submit proof to the card issuer.

The reimbursement usually appears as a statement credit within one to three billing cycles. You need to pay the government fee first, then upload your receipt or approval letter to the card issuer's website or app. Some cards reimburse only the TSA PreCheck fee (around $78), while premium cards reimburse the full Global Entry fee (around $100), which also includes TSA PreCheck as a benefit.

The card is valuable only if you travel enough to use the membership and if the card's annual fee is lower than the membership cost. Most cards that offer this reimbursement charge $95 to $550 per year, so you need to weigh that against what you save on the membership fee and what other benefits the card provides.

Key Takeaways

  • The card reimburses your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee after you pay the government directly and submit proof to the card issuer.
  • You must explore for the actual membership through the government (TSA or CBP) separately; the card does not do this for you.
  • The reimbursement covers only the membership fee itself, not any expedited processing fees or other costs the government may charge.
  • The card's annual fee must be lower than the membership fee for the reimbursement to save you money overall.
  • Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so if you choose Global Entry, you get both programs under one membership.

Which cards offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement

Several premium travel cards include this benefit. The Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburses Global Entry ($100) and charges a $550 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred reimburses TSA PreCheck ($78) and charges $95 annually. The American Express Platinum reimburses Global Entry ($100) and charges $695 per year. The Capital One Venture X reimburses Global Entry ($100) and charges $395 annually.

Other cards that offer this benefit include the Citi Prestige, Bank of America Premium Rewards, and various American Express business cards. The reimbursement amount and card annual fee vary by issuer and change over time, so check your card's current benefits guide before explore.

If you already hold a card with this benefit, you can use the reimbursement as soon as you pay the government fee. If you do not yet hold one, you need to be approved for the card first, which typically takes three to seven business days. The card must be open and active before you submit your reimbursement request.

How to claim the reimbursement

After you are approved for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry through the government, you will receive an approval letter or confirmation email. Log into your credit card's online portal or mobile app and look for a section called "Benefits," "Rewards," "Travel Benefits," or "Reimbursements" — the exact name varies by issuer.

Upload a photo or PDF of your approval letter or receipt showing the fee you paid. Some issuers also accept screenshots of your TSA or CBP account confirmation. Submit the document and wait for the card issuer to verify it. Most process reimbursements within one to three billing cycles, though some take up to 30 days.

If your reimbursement does not appear after 30 days, contact the card issuer's customer service line. Have your approval letter and the date you submitted it ready. The issuer will verify that the fee matches the card's benefit amount and that you submitted valid proof.

TSA PreCheck versus Global Entry: which membership should you get

TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening at U.S. airports only. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and use a dedicated security line. It costs $78 to $85 for five years and is available at most major U.S. airports.

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs and immigration screening when you return to the U.S. from abroad. You use kiosks at customs instead of waiting in line with other passengers. It costs $100 to $120 for five years. If you travel internationally more than once a year, Global Entry usually pays for itself in time saved alone.

If your card reimburses only TSA PreCheck but you travel internationally, you can still pay for Global Entry yourself and receive the TSA PreCheck reimbursement from the card. You would then pay the difference ($20 to $40) out of pocket for the Global Entry upgrade. Some premium cards reimburse the full Global Entry fee, so check your card's specific benefit before deciding which membership to purchase.

When the reimbursement does not cover the full cost

The government occasionally raises membership fees. If the fee increases between the time you explore for the card and the time you pay for the membership, the card's reimbursement amount may not cover the new fee. For example, if a card promises a $78 TSA PreCheck reimbursement but the fee has risen to $85, you pay the difference yourself.

Card issuers sometimes update their reimbursement amounts to match new government fees, but this is not may provide and may take several months. Check the current fee on the TSA or CBP website before you explore for the membership, and verify your card's current reimbursement amount in the benefits guide.

If you are denied for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry during the vetting process, you do not receive a refund from the government, and the card issuer will not reimburse a fee for a membership you do not hold. The government's denial is final, though you can reapply after addressing the issue that caused the denial.

Whether a Global Entry card makes financial sense for you

The card saves you money only if the annual fee is less than what you would spend on the membership fee over the card's lifetime, plus the value of other card benefits you actually use. If a card charges $95 per year and reimburses a $78 TSA PreCheck fee, you break even in the first year only if you use the card's other rewards or benefits to offset the $17 difference.

Premium cards with higher annual fees ($395 to $695) make sense only if you travel frequently and use the card's other benefits — such as travel credits, lounge access, or bonus points on dining and travel purchases. If you travel once a year and do not use those other benefits, a $95 card with a TSA PreCheck reimbursement is more cost-effective than a $550 card with a Global Entry reimbursement.

Calculate your own break-even point by adding the card's annual fee to the cost of any other benefits you plan to use, then subtract the reimbursement amount. If the result is negative, the card pays for itself through the reimbursement alone. If it is positive, you need the other card benefits to justify the cost.

What happens when your membership expires

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry memberships last five years. When yours is about to expire, you will receive a renewal notice from the government. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at an enrollment center. The renewal fee is the same as the initial fee ($78 to $120, depending on the program).

If you still hold the same credit card when your membership expires, you can use the reimbursement again for the renewal fee. Submit your renewal receipt or approval letter to the card issuer the same way you did for the initial membership. Some card issuers limit the reimbursement to once per card membership, so check your card's terms if you are unsure.

If you have closed the card or switched to a different card by the time your membership expires, you will need to pay the renewal fee out of pocket unless your new card also offers this reimbursement. Plan ahead if you know your membership is expiring soon and you want to use a card benefit to cover the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the card to pay for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

No. You pay the government directly through the TSA or CBP website, then submit proof of payment to the card issuer for reimbursement. The card does not process the government payment itself. You can use any payment method to pay the government fee.

How long does it take to get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry after I am approved?

TSA PreCheck approval usually takes two to four weeks. Global Entry approval typically takes four to six weeks because it includes a background check and customs vetting. You can use the membership as soon as you receive your approval letter, even if your physical card has not arrived yet.

Can I get the reimbursement if I was already a member before I got the card?

Most card issuers reimburse only new memberships or renewals purchased after the card is open. If you were already a member, you cannot retroactively claim the reimbursement for a fee you paid before the card existed. Check your card's specific policy, as some issuers make exceptions.

What if I get denied for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

The government does not refund the process fee if you are denied. The card issuer will not reimburse a fee for a membership you do not hold. You can reapply after addressing the reason for denial, but you would pay the fee again out of pocket.

Does the card reimbursement cover the expedited interview fee?

No. The reimbursement covers only the membership fee itself. If you pay extra for an expedited interview or appointment, that cost is separate and not covered by the card benefit.