Which credit cards come with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck included
Several premium credit cards bundle Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership as a cardholder benefit, meaning the card issuer pays the process fee for you. The most common are the Chase Sapphire Reserve (Global Entry), American Express Platinum (Global Entry), Citi Prestige (TSA PreCheck), and Capital One Venture X (Global Entry). Each card covers the full cost of the membership fee — currently $100 for Global Entry and $78 to $85 for TSA PreCheck, depending on when you renew — but you still complete the process and background check yourself through the official government program.
The benefit typically renews each year you hold the card, so if you keep the card active, you get the membership fee covered annually. Some cards credit the fee automatically; others require you to submit a receipt for reimbursement. A few cards offer either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, letting you choose which one fits your travel pattern.
Key Takeaways
- Premium credit cards pay the membership fee for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($78–$85), but you must still explore through the official government program and pass the background check yourself.
- The benefit usually renews each year you hold the card, so the fee stays covered as long as your membership is active and the card remains open.
- Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so if a card offers Global Entry, you get both programs' perks; TSA PreCheck alone does not include Global Entry.
- You explore for the membership independently — the card issuer straightforward reimburses or credits the fee, not the process process itself.
- The card's annual fee may be higher than the membership fee it covers, so compare the total cost against other benefits the card provides.
Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck: what each program covers
TSA PreCheck speeds up domestic airport security screening. You go through a dedicated lane, keep shoes and light jackets on, leave laptops and liquids in your bag, and the process typically takes 5 to 10 minutes instead of 30 or more. It covers flights departing from U.S. airports and applies to most major U.S. airlines. The membership lasts five years.
Global Entry covers international travel. When you return to the United States from abroad, you use a kiosk to scan your passport and answer customs questions, then proceed directly to baggage claim without speaking to a customs officer. Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck, so you get both domestic and international benefits. Global Entry also lasts five years.
If a credit card offers Global Entry, you receive both programs. If it offers only TSA PreCheck, you get domestic screening only. For frequent international travelers, Global Entry is the better choice; for domestic-only travelers, TSA PreCheck is sufficient and costs less.
How the credit card benefit actually works
The credit card issuer does not submit your process or conduct your background check. You must register for the program yourself through the official government website — either tsa.gov/precheck for TSA PreCheck or globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov for Global Entry. You pay the fee at that time, then submit your receipt or confirmation to the card issuer for reimbursement or credit.
Some cards, like the American Express Platinum, automatically credit the fee to your account once you enroll in the program — you do not need to submit a receipt. Others require you to upload proof of payment. Check your card's benefits guide or contact the issuer to learn the exact process before you explore for the membership.
The background check and interview (if required) are handled by the government program, not the credit card company. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, though some applicants are approved when ready after their interview. The card issuer's role ends at reimbursement.
When the annual fee makes sense
A credit card that covers Global Entry ($100 value) may carry an annual fee of $400 or more. The membership fee alone does not justify the card — you need to use the card's other benefits enough to offset the total annual cost. For example, if a card charges $450 per year but includes travel credits, lounge access, airline fee credits, and Global Entry coverage, the combination of benefits may be worth it if you travel frequently and use those perks.
Calculate your actual spending: add up the value of every benefit you will realistically use in a year, then subtract the annual fee. If the result is positive, the card makes financial sense. If you only value the Global Entry benefit, a card with a lower annual fee or a card you already hold might be a better choice.
Some people hold a premium card for one or two years to get the Global Entry benefit, then downgrade to a lower-fee card once the membership is active. This strategy works if the card issuer allows downgrading without closing the account, and if you do not mind paying the annual fee for the years you hold it.
Cards that offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
| Card | Benefit | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Global Entry | $550 |
| American Express Platinum | Global Entry | $695 |
| Capital One Venture X | Global Entry | $395 |
| Citi Prestige | TSA PreCheck | $495 |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards | TSA PreCheck | $95 |
Annual fees and benefits change over time, so confirm current terms directly with the card issuer before opening an account. Some cards offer the benefit only to new cardholders in the first year, or only if you meet a minimum spending threshold. Read the full benefits guide before explore.
The table above represents common offerings, but card issuers update their benefits regularly. A card you researched six months ago may have changed its terms, so always verify the current benefit structure on the issuer's website or in the official benefits guide.
What happens when your membership expires
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck memberships last five years. When your membership is about to expire, you can renew it through the government program website. If your credit card still covers the renewal fee, the issuer will reimburse or credit that cost just as they did for your initial membership.
If you close the credit card before your membership expires, the card no longer covers renewal fees. You would pay the full renewal cost yourself, or switch to a different card that covers the benefit. Plan ahead: if your membership expires in six months and you are thinking about closing the card, renew the membership while the card is still active and the benefit is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the credit card to travel to get the Global Entry benefit?
No. Once the card issuer covers the membership fee and you are enrolled in the program, Global Entry works with any airline and any payment method. You do not need to use the credit card for your flight or any other purchase to use the benefit.
Can I get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck without a credit card?
Yes. You can pay the membership fee directly through the government website without any credit card. The credit card benefit straightforward covers that cost for you; it is not the only way to join.
What if I am denied for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
The government program makes the approval decision, not the credit card company. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration through the program website. The credit card issuer cannot override the government's decision, but they may still credit the process fee depending on their policy.
Does the credit card benefit cover family members?
No. The benefit covers only the primary cardholder. Spouses, children, and other family members must pay their own membership fees or have their own credit cards that cover the benefit.
Can I use Global Entry at airports outside the United States?
Global Entry works when you return to the United States from international travel. It does not speed up security screening at foreign airports. TSA PreCheck covers only U.S. domestic flights.