Credit cards that cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees

Several premium credit cards reimburse the full cost of Global Entry ($100 every five years) or TSA PreCheck ($78 to $85 every five years), but the card must be in your name and active when you submit your process. The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within one to three billing cycles after you charge the fee to that card. Not every premium card offers this benefit, and the ones that do may change their terms, so you should confirm the current benefit before opening an account.

The cards most commonly offering this reimbursement are American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Visa Infinite cards from various issuers. Some cards cover only TSA PreCheck (the domestic security line program), while others cover Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs screening when you return to the United States). A few cards offer a choice between the two programs.

Key Takeaways

  • American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and certain Visa Infinite cards reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees as a statement credit.
  • The reimbursement works only if you charge the process fee directly to the card that offers the benefit.
  • Global Entry covers both domestic TSA PreCheck screening and expedited customs re-entry, while TSA PreCheck covers domestic lines only.
  • The reimbursement typically posts within one to three billing cycles, and you should confirm the current benefit terms before opening a new card.
  • Some cards offer a choice between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, while others cover only one program.

How the reimbursement actually works

When you charge your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck process fee to a card that offers this benefit, the issuer credits your account for the full amount. You do not receive a separate check or transfer — the credit straightforward reduces your next statement balance. The credit typically appears within 30 to 90 days, though some issuers are faster.

You must charge the fee directly to the may have access to card. If you pay with a different card or use cash and then try to get reimbursed, the benefit will not work. The process fee must also be for your own account; you cannot use the benefit to cover a family member's process, even if they are an authorized user on your card.

Once you receive the reimbursement, you own the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership outright. If you later close the credit card, your membership remains active for the full five-year term. The card issuer does not revoke the membership when you cancel the card.

Which cards offer Global Entry reimbursement

American Express Platinum reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($100 or $78–$85) once per year. If you hold the card for five years, you will receive the reimbursement up to five times. The benefit resets on your card anniversary each year, so if you do not use it in a given year, you lose that year's credit.

Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ($100 or $78–$85) once every four years. This aligns roughly with the five-year membership term, though the timing is tied to your card anniversary rather than your membership expiration. You can use the benefit again four years after your first reimbursement.

Visa Infinite cards from various issuers (including Bank of America, Citi, and others) may offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement, but the terms vary by issuer and card tier. Some reimburse once every four years, others once per year. You should contact your card issuer directly to confirm whether your specific Visa Infinite card includes this benefit and how often you can use it.

Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck: what each covers

Global Entry is the broader program. It includes TSA PreCheck benefits (expedited screening at U.S. domestic airport security lines) plus expedited customs and immigration processing when you return to the United States from abroad. You also receive expedited processing through U.S. Customs and Border Protection's automated kiosks. Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership.

TSA PreCheck covers domestic flights only. You move through a dedicated security line at U.S. airports, keep shoes and light jackets on, and leave laptops and liquids in your carry-on. You do not receive any customs or international benefits. TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for a five-year membership, depending on your state and whether you renew or explore new.

If you travel internationally even occasionally, Global Entry is the better value because the customs benefit alone saves significant time on every return trip. If you fly only domestically, TSA PreCheck is sufficient and costs less.

How to use the reimbursement when you explore

First, confirm that your card currently offers the benefit by logging into your online account or calling the card's customer service line. The benefit terms can change, and you want to verify before you pay the fee.

Next, visit the official Global Entry website (globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov) or the TSA PreCheck website (tsa.gov/precheck) and start your process. During checkout, charge the process fee to the credit card that offers the reimbursement. Do not use a different payment method.

After you submit payment, keep your receipt or confirmation email. The reimbursement will appear as a statement credit on your card within 30 to 90 days. If it does not appear within that window, contact your card issuer's customer service and provide your process confirmation number and the date you paid.

What happens if your card does not offer this benefit

If you hold a premium card that does not include Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement, you can still pay the fee out of pocket. The cost is $100 for Global Entry or $78–$85 for TSA PreCheck, paid directly to the government programs. The membership lasts five years regardless of which card you use to pay.

Alternatively, you can open a new card that does offer the reimbursement, charge the fee to that card, and receive the credit. If you are considering opening a new premium card anyway, timing your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck process to coincide with the new card's arrival can offset part of the card's annual fee.

Annual fees and whether the benefit pays for itself

American Express Platinum charges $695 per year. Chase Sapphire Reserve charges $550 per year. Both cards offer other benefits beyond Global Entry reimbursement — travel credits, lounge access, and earning rates on certain purchases — but the Global Entry benefit alone does not pay for the card's annual fee.

The reimbursement is most valuable if you already plan to hold the card for its other benefits. If you are considering opening the card solely to cover a one-time Global Entry fee, the annual fee will cost more than the benefit saves. However, if you hold the card for multiple years, the reimbursement becomes a meaningful perk on top of everything else the card offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Global Entry reimbursement for a family member?

No. The reimbursement covers only the cardholder's own process. You cannot use it to pay for a spouse's or child's Global Entry membership, even if they are an authorized user on your card. Each family member would need their own card with the benefit, or you would need to pay for their membership separately.

What if I already have Global Entry and want to renew it?

The reimbursement covers renewal applications just as it covers new applications. When your five-year membership is about to expire, you can renew through the Global Entry website and charge the renewal fee to your card. The issuer will reimburse the renewal fee the same way it would a new process.

Do I lose the benefit if I cancel my card before the reimbursement posts?

If you cancel the card before the reimbursement appears on your statement, you may not receive the credit. The safest approach is to wait until the reimbursement posts (typically within 30 to 90 days) before closing the card. If you cancel early and the credit does not appear, contact the issuer to request it.

Can I get reimbursed if I paid the fee with a different card?

No. The reimbursement works only if you charge the fee directly to the card that offers the benefit. If you paid with cash, a debit card, or a different credit card, the issuer will not reimburse you. You must charge the fee to the may have access to card at the time of payment.

How often can I use the reimbursement?

It depends on the card. American Express Platinum reimburses once per year (resetting on your card anniversary), so you could theoretically get reimbursed up to five times over a five-year membership. Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburses once every four years. Visa Infinite terms vary by issuer, so check your specific card's terms.