If you travel with any regularity, domestically or internationally, a Global Entry credit card fee credit could be worth your while. Select travel credit cards reimburse the application fee for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. Typically, you’ll get access to that credit once every four years or so.
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a smoother airport experience, save money, maximize your travel rewards — or do all three — you can find a card to fit your needs.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Regular APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website
Methodology
Our team of experts evaluated over 20 cards that offer a fee credit for Global Entry, evaluating factors such as rewards value and travel benefits. Using a data-based approach, we narrowed down the list to the top 10 credit cards that scored highly based on our weightings. Read our full methodology below.
Show summary
All information about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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Best card for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Key takeaways
2X
Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases
2X
Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
10X
Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel
5/5
Best card for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
*
Best for a low annual fee
Key takeaways
2X
Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day
5X
Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
4.9/5
Best for a low annual fee
Best premium card for flexible travel rewards
Key takeaways
5x
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
3x
Earn 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases.
3.4/5
Best premium card for flexible travel rewards
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website
The Platinum Card® from American Express
*
Best for luxury travel perks
Key takeaways
5X
Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex travel. The airline benefit is limited to the first $500,000 in purchases per calendar year.
1X
Earn 1 point for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases.
3.2/5
Best for luxury travel perks
All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
*
Best for Marriott
Key takeaways
6X
Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
3X
3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
2X
2X points on all other eligible purchases.
3.3/5
All information about Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
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Best for Delta Air Lines
Reward rate
3X
Earn 3X Miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
1X
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases; After spending $150,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
1.5X
Earn 1.5X Miles on eligible purchases the rest of the year.
3/5
All information about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
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Best for American Airlines
Key takeaways
10X
Earn 10 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com
4X
4 miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
1X
1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
3/5
Best for American Airlines
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Best for United Airlines
Key takeaways
4X
Earn 4 miles per dollar on United purchases
2X
Earn 2 miles per dollar on all other travel and on dining, including eligible delivery services
1X
Earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases
3/5
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
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Best small business card
Key takeaways
2X
Earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase
5X
Earn unlimited 5x miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
4.4/5
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
*
Best small business card for luxury travel perks
Key takeaways
5x
Earn 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on American Express Travel
1.5X
Earn 1.5x points on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year
1X
Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases
3.4/5
Best small business card for luxury travel perks
All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck
While TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both Trusted Traveler Programs, each program serves a different purpose and charges a different application fee.
With TSA PreCheck, US citizens, nationals and permanent residents can get expedited screening at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in participating domestic airports.
Global Entry is a more comprehensive program from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and provides members expedited clearance when they arrive in the US from international destinations or, at select airports, allows them to preclear US customs and immigration before boarding a US-bound flight. If you have Global Entry, you also have TSA PreCheck. Foreign nationals may also qualify for Global Entry (and the TSA PreCheck that comes with it).
The right program for you depends on your travel habits and preferences. If you mainly travel domestically and wish to avoid long security lines, TSA PreCheck is a convenient solution. On the other hand, if you travel internationally at any frequency, Global Entry is the better choice.
How to apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry both require background checks and fingerprinting, but the application processes don’t look exactly the same.
For TSA PreCheck, you can pre-enroll online before going to an enrollment center to complete the in-person component of the application. You can also walk into an enrollment center without an appointment and complete the full application there, though TSA warns that this will slow the in-person process. You’ll need to bring a valid form of ID, such as a passport, and pay a non-refundable application fee of $78 or $85 for new members, depending on your enrollment center.
Approval usually takes three to five days (but can take up to 60 days). After approval, you’ll receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to add to your flight reservations to utilize TSA PreCheck benefits.
To apply for Global Entry, you’ll need to visit the Trusted Traveler Programs website and create an account. The online application asks for information including your passport number, employment and address history for the previous five years and a list of the countries you’ve visited in that same timeframe. Then, you’ll pay the $100 non-refundable fee.
CBP may conditionally approve your application, typically within 90 days. After that point, you can schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Or, you can use the Enrollment on Arrival option to complete your interview without an appointment after you land at a participating airport.
How Global Entry and TSA PreCheck work with credit cards
Certain credit cards offer statement credits to cover the application fees for the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs.
To get reimbursed, use your eligible card to pay your application fee. Depending on the card, you’ll get reimbursed up to $85 for TSA PreCheck and up to $100 for Global Entry.
These credits currently cover the full application fee, but it may take up to two billing cycles to see the statement credit on your credit card account. You’ll also typically be restricted to one fee credit every four or four-and-a-half years.
Note that on Oct. 1, 2024, the Global Entry application fee will increase to $120. Citi credit cards and Chase credit cards with a Global Entry fee credit (such as the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card and Sapphire Reserve) are increasing their reimbursement to $120 on the same date. Other issuers may do the same.
How to choose a credit card for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
When deciding on the best credit card for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, consider how each card’s benefits and perks match your needs.
Consider the type of rewards you’ll earn
You might earn transferable points, airline miles or hotel points. Choosing a credit card that earns rewards that complement your travel preferences is crucial.
Gauge annual fees
Many credit cards offering Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application credits come with high annual fees. More premium cards can also include additional travel perks, such as airport lounge access and travel credits. You’ll need to assess whether the benefits of the card you choose justify the cost of the annual fee.
Evaluate welcome bonuses and spending categories
Consider the value you’ll get from a card’s sign-up bonus, as these bonuses can significantly boost your travel rewards balances. Different cards also earn bonus rewards on specific types of spending, such as groceries, dining or travel. Opt for a card that offers bonus rewards in spending categories that align with your spending habits to maximize the rewards you earn.
Assess other travel benefits
Perks such as baggage delay insurance and rental car insurance can save you money and enhance your overall travel experience.
Methodology
Our money and data analytics teams evaluated over 20 cards that offer a fee credit for Global Entry. We then narrowed down our list of the best cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck by giving them a star rating out of five based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:
Rewards value (25%)
Many credit cards earn rewards, but not all credit card points and miles are worth the same amount. We used spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and estimates of rewards values from The Points Guy to determine which cards dole out the best rewards value.
Sign-up bonus value (25%)
Many cards offer bonus cash back, points or miles to consumers who spend a certain amount in their first months with the card. We calculated how much those bonuses are worth using points valuations from The Points Guy, and boosted cards that offer more value.
Benefits (25%)
Cards that offer travel benefits such as baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and airport lounge access received a boost, as did cards with perks such as cell phone protection, purchase protection and extended warranty.
Select fees (20%)
Cards with lower annual fees and no or low foreign transaction fee and competitive variable APRs received a boost compared to cards with higher fees and rates.
Annual credits and bonuses (5%)
Credit cards that come with credits and bonuses for spending in categories including groceries, dining, entertainment and gas received a boost.
What didn’t make the cut
- Aeroplan® Credit Card: The card offers solid value with a reasonable annual fee. However, given it’s an airline credit card from an international carrier, it may be less attractive to US customers.
- U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
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The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: This premium card has good benefits and a valuable welcome bonus, but the absence of transfer partners, a feature found in cards from competitors Capital One, Chase and Amex, limits flexibility. - United℠ Explorer Card: This card offers good value compared to its annual fee but lacks perks offered by premium United Airlines cards, making it less enticing for those seeking elite benefits.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: The Delta Reserve Business card beats out the personal version of this card due to its higher welcome offer (though the spending requirement is also much higher). - Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: While it offers cardholders solid value and a reasonable $95 annual fee, the absence of transfer partners could be a drawback for users looking for options in redeeming rewards.
All information about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
Regular APR
21.99% – 28.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Website
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck. If you have Global Entry, you don’t need to sign up for TSA PreCheck.
Yes, you can use your credit card’s Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit for someone else. To do so, use your eligible card to pay for the application fee for your friend or family member, and the statement credit should be issued automatically. Keep in mind that you’ll typically only have access to this statement credit once every four or four-and-a-half years per card.
The frequency with which you get the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit depends on the card. But in general, you’ll qualify for the credit every four to four-and-a-half years. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck memberships are valid for five years (though you can keep using your Global Entry membership for up to two years after it expires if your renewal is still pending).
TSA PreCheck is easier to get than Global Entry for US citizens, nationals and permanent residents. The Global Entry program requires a passport, while TSA PreCheck doesn’t, and it can take longer to get approved for Global Entry.
To view rates and fees for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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To view rates and fees for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express
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The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
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The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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All information about Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
To view rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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All information about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
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The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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All information about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by CNN Underscored Money: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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The information for the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, The Platinum Card® from American Express
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The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
*
The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
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The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
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The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, Capital One Spark Miles for Business
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The information for the Capital One Spark Miles for Business has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
*
The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
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The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.
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