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 reimbursement works differently depending on the card. Most cards credit the fee back to your account after you pay for enrollment, rather than paying the program directly. A few cards — notably the Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum — cover the cost as a stated benefit, meaning you do not pay out of pocket at all if you use their reimbursement process correctly.

The catch is that not every premium card offers this benefit, and the ones that do often require you to charge the enrollment fee to that specific card to trigger the reimbursement. If you pay with a different card or method, you will not receive the credit. The benefit also typically renews every five years, matching the program's renewal cycle, so you get reimbursed again when you renew.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, and Visa Infinite cards from multiple issuers all offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement as a cardholder benefit.
  • You must charge the enrollment fee to the specific card offering the benefit to receive the reimbursement; paying another way will not trigger it.
  • Reimbursement typically posts within one to three billing cycles after you charge the fee, though some cards process it faster.
  • The benefit renews every five years when you renew your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, so you can receive multiple reimbursements over the life of the card.
  • Some cards cover only TSA PreCheck ($78–$85), while others cover the full Global Entry fee ($100), so check your card's specific terms before enrolling.

Cards that cover Global Entry

The Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburses up to $100 every five years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You charge the enrollment fee to the card, and the reimbursement posts to your account automatically. This card carries a $550 annual fee, which many cardholders offset with the Global Entry credit plus other travel benefits like trip delay reimbursement and primary rental car coverage.

The American Express Platinum also covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck up to $100 every five years. Like the Sapphire Reserve, you charge the fee to the Amex card and receive an automatic credit. The Platinum carries a $695 annual fee and is marketed primarily to frequent travelers and business users.

Several Visa Infinite cards from issuers like Chase, Bank of America, and Citi include Global Entry reimbursement as part of their Visa Infinite benefits package. The specific terms vary by issuer and card, so you will need to check your card's benefits guide or contact the issuer to confirm the reimbursement amount and process.

Cards that cover TSA PreCheck only

Some premium cards reimburse TSA PreCheck ($78–$85) but not the full Global Entry fee ($100). The American Express Gold Card covers TSA PreCheck reimbursement up to $100 every five years, which exceeds the typical TSA PreCheck cost and leaves room for a small overage. The Gold Card carries a $250 annual fee and is positioned for everyday premium spending rather than travel-focused use.

The Capital One Venture X includes TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement, though the exact amount depends on your card version and issuer. Check your benefits guide to confirm whether it covers the full Global Entry fee or TSA PreCheck only.

Bank-specific premium cards from institutions like Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and others may also offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement as a cardholder benefit. The coverage and reimbursement process vary, so review your card's benefits materials or call the issuer's customer service line to confirm what is included.

How the reimbursement process works

To receive the reimbursement, you must charge your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee directly to the card offering the benefit. You cannot pay with a different card, cash, or another payment method and expect a reimbursement. Log into the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck website, select your program, and complete enrollment using the specific credit card you want to trigger the benefit.

After the charge posts to your card, the reimbursement typically appears within one to three billing cycles. Some cards process it faster — within days — while others may take up to a month. The credit will show as a statement credit or account credit, reducing your balance or your next bill.

If you do not see the reimbursement within the expected timeframe, contact your card issuer's customer service. Provide your enrollment confirmation number and the charge date. The issuer can verify that the charge posted correctly and manually process the credit if there was a delay.

Renewal and ongoing reimbursement

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck memberships last five years, and most cards that offer reimbursement will credit the renewal fee again when you renew. You do not need to explore for the benefit again — it automatically applies to the renewal charge if you use the same card.

If you switch to a different card before renewal, you will need to charge the renewal fee to whichever new card offers the benefit. The old card will not reimburse a charge it does not see. Plan your card strategy around the renewal date if Global Entry reimbursement is important to your decision.

If you cancel a card that offers Global Entry reimbursement, you lose the benefit for future renewals. If you are within the five-year membership period when you cancel, you can still use your existing membership, but you will need to find a different card offering the benefit to cover the next renewal.

Comparing the cost to the annual fee

The Global Entry reimbursement is valuable only if the card's annual fee is worth paying for other reasons. The Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee) and Amex Platinum ($695 annual fee) are expensive cards, and the $100 Global Entry credit covers only a fraction of that cost. These cards are designed for frequent travelers who use other benefits like travel credits, lounge access, or bonus points to justify the fee.

The Amex Gold Card ($250 annual fee) is more affordable, and the TSA PreCheck reimbursement covers a larger portion of the annual cost. If you also earn bonus points on dining and groceries, the card may pay for itself through rewards alone, making the TSA PreCheck benefit a bonus rather than the primary reason to hold it.

Before explore for a card primarily for the Global Entry reimbursement, calculate whether you will use the card's other benefits enough to justify the annual fee. If you travel infrequently or do not spend enough to earn meaningful rewards, a card with a lower annual fee and no Global Entry benefit may be a better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to renew Global Entry on the same card?

No. You can renew Global Entry using any card that offers the reimbursement benefit, even if it is different from the card you used for your initial enrollment. Just charge the renewal fee to the card offering the benefit, and the reimbursement will post to that card's account.

What if I get denied for Global Entry — do I still get the reimbursement?

No. The reimbursement applies only to successful enrollment. If your process is denied, you will not receive a credit. However, you can reapply, and if you are approved on the second attempt, you can charge that fee to your card and receive the reimbursement then.

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

No. The reimbursement applies only to the cardholder's own enrollment. Family members must enroll separately and use their own cards (if they have one offering the benefit) to receive a reimbursement. Some cards do offer benefits for authorized users, but Global Entry reimbursement is typically limited to the primary cardholder.

Does the reimbursement cover the Global Entry interview fee?

The reimbursement covers the full enrollment fee, which includes the cost of the interview appointment. You do not pay separately for the interview — it is part of the $100 Global Entry fee. If you are charged an additional fee by a specific enrollment center, contact Global Entry customer service to clarify, as this is unusual.

What happens if I downgrade my card before the five-year membership ends?

You keep your existing Global Entry membership and can continue using it for the remainder of the five-year period. When it comes time to renew, you will need to charge the renewal fee to a different card that offers the reimbursement benefit, or pay out of pocket. Downgrading does not cancel your membership, only your access to future reimbursements on that card.