What a Global Entry credit card does

A Global Entry credit card is a rewards card that covers the $100 enrollment fee for Global Entry, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that lets you skip regular security lines at U.S. airports and use expedited customs screening when you return from abroad. The card itself works like any other credit card — you charge purchases, earn rewards, and pay a monthly bill. The difference is that the card issuer reimburses the Global Entry fee when you pay it, usually within a few billing cycles.

This is not the same as the card paying your membership dues each year. Most cards reimburse the initial $100 enrollment fee once per cardholder lifetime, not annually. A few premium cards do offer annual reimbursement, but that is rare and comes with a higher annual fee on the card itself. You need to read the specific card's terms to know which you are getting.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Entry credit cards reimburse the $100 enrollment fee, but most do this only once, not every year you hold the card.
  • You must pay the Global Entry fee yourself first, then submit proof of payment to the card issuer for reimbursement.
  • Global Entry membership lasts five years, so the card's reimbursement covers only the first enrollment, not renewals.
  • Cards that offer annual reimbursement charge higher annual fees ($250 to $550), so compare the total cost against how often you travel internationally.
  • You can hold Global Entry and TSA PreCheck at the same time; Global Entry includes PreCheck benefits, so you do not need both memberships.

How the reimbursement actually works

You enroll in Global Entry through the official CBP website (globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov) and pay the $100 fee with any payment method — credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. You do not have to use the rewards card to pay for Global Entry itself. Once CBP approves your process (which takes several weeks), you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN). At that point, you submit proof of payment — usually a receipt or confirmation email — to the credit card issuer's customer service.

The issuer then credits your account with $100, typically within one or two billing cycles. This credit appears as a statement credit, not as cash back or points. If your card has an annual fee, the reimbursement usually covers only the Global Entry fee, not the card's own annual fee. For example, if your card charges $95 per year and reimburses $100 for Global Entry, you come out $5 ahead on that transaction alone — but you still owe the card's annual fee if you do not meet spending thresholds or other conditions.

One-time reimbursement versus annual reimbursement

Most cards that offer Global Entry reimbursement do it once per cardholder lifetime. This means you get $100 back when you first enroll, but when your five-year membership expires and you renew, you pay the $100 renewal fee out of pocket. The card does not reimburse it again. This structure makes sense for cards with moderate annual fees ($95 to $150) because the one-time reimbursement offsets the cost of holding the card for a year or two.

A smaller number of premium cards — typically those charging $250 to $550 annually — offer annual Global Entry reimbursement. This means every year you hold the card, you get $100 back toward either the initial enrollment or a renewal. If you renew Global Entry while you hold the card, you submit the renewal receipt and receive another $100 credit. However, the card's annual fee is so high that the Global Entry reimbursement alone does not justify keeping it. You need to earn enough rewards on your spending, or use other card benefits like airport lounge access or travel credits, to make the total value worthwhile.

What Global Entry actually covers

Global Entry membership gives you a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you enter when you book flights. At U.S. airports, you use dedicated Global Entry kiosks instead of standing in the regular security line. The process is faster because you do not remove shoes, belts, or light jackets, and you can leave laptops and liquids in your bag. When you return to the U.S. from abroad, you use expedited customs screening, which means a shorter line and faster processing.

Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck benefits automatically. If you already have TSA PreCheck, you do not need to buy it separately. The membership lasts five years from the date CBP approves your process, not from the date you pay the fee. When your five years are up, you renew by paying another $100 fee and reapplying through the same CBP website.

Card annual fees and whether the math works

A card that charges $95 to $150 annually and reimburses Global Entry once makes sense if you travel internationally at least once every few years. You pay the card's annual fee, get $100 back for Global Entry, and come out roughly even in year one. In years two through five, you keep the card for its rewards rate and other benefits, and the Global Entry reimbursement is already paid for. Once your Global Entry membership expires after five years, you either renew it out of pocket or stop using the card.

A card that charges $250 or more annually and offers annual Global Entry reimbursement is aimed at frequent international travelers. The math only works if you use the card's other benefits — such as airport lounge access, travel credits, or a high rewards rate on dining and travel purchases — enough to justify the annual cost. If you travel internationally once a year or less, a mid-tier card with one-time reimbursement is usually cheaper overall.

Comparing Global Entry cards to other travel rewards cards

Not every travel rewards card includes Global Entry reimbursement. Some cards offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement instead, which covers only the $78 to $85 TSA PreCheck fee and not the $100 Global Entry fee. TSA PreCheck is useful for domestic travel only; it does not include expedited customs screening. If you travel internationally, Global Entry is the better choice because it includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus customs screening.

Other cards offer neither reimbursement but charge lower annual fees and provide strong rewards rates on travel and dining. If you do not travel internationally often enough to justify the cost of Global Entry membership, a card without the reimbursement might save you money overall. Calculate your expected annual spending in rewards categories, compare the card's annual fee to the rewards you would earn, and decide whether adding a $100 Global Entry cost makes sense for your travel patterns.

How to use your Global Entry number once you have it

After CBP approves your process, you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) by email. When you book a flight, enter this number in the "Known Traveler Number" field on the airline's website or in your reservation. The KTN must match your name and date of birth exactly as they appear in your passport. At the airport, look for the Global Entry kiosks, which are usually near the regular security checkpoints and clearly marked. You scan your passport or use facial recognition, answer a few questions, and proceed through the expedited lane.

When you return to the U.S. from abroad, you go through the Global Entry customs kiosk instead of the regular customs line. The kiosk scans your passport, takes a photo, and prints a receipt. You hand the receipt to a customs officer, who may or may not ask additional questions. The process is typically faster than the regular line, though wait times vary by airport and time of day. Global Entry does not may provide you will never wait; it just reduces the typical wait time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the credit card to pay for Global Entry to get the reimbursement?

No. You can pay for Global Entry with any payment method through the CBP website. After you are approved, you submit your receipt to the card issuer and receive the $100 credit. The card issuer does not care which card you used to pay; they only care that you have proof of enrollment.

What happens to my Global Entry if I cancel the credit card?

Your Global Entry membership is separate from the credit card. Canceling the card does not cancel your membership. Your Global Entry remains active for the full five-year period, and you can renew it when it expires regardless of whether you still hold the card. However, if you want the card to reimburse a future renewal fee, you would need to hold that card at the time you renew.

Can I get reimbursed for Global Entry if I already have an active membership?

This depends on the card issuer's terms. Some cards will reimburse a renewal fee if your current membership is within a certain window of expiration. Others will only reimburse a new enrollment. Check the specific card's terms or contact the issuer before opening the account if you already have Global Entry.

Is Global Entry worth it if I only travel internationally once a year?

It depends on the card's annual fee and your other spending. If the card charges $95 and you get $100 back for Global Entry, you break even in year one. In years two through five, you keep the card for its rewards rate and other benefits. If you travel internationally only once a year but use the card frequently for everyday purchases, the rewards might justify the annual fee. If you barely use the card, the cost probably is not worth it.

Does Global Entry work at all U.S. airports?

Global Entry kiosks are available at most major U.S. airports, but not all. Before you travel, check the CBP website to confirm that your departure airport has Global Entry service. Some smaller airports do not have kiosks. If your airport does not have Global Entry, you can still use your TSA PreCheck benefits (which are included with Global Entry) at the regular security checkpoint.