Quick Points: How a sub-$100 credit card can get you Global Entry and PreCheck for 5 years
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are programs designed to help travelers avoid wait times at airports. While these are paid services, fortunately, with the right credit card, you can receive a statement credit to cover both without even paying a significant annual fee.
Here are some of the easiest and most affordable ways to get these valuable services.
What are Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck users can pass through security checkpoints at more than 200 United States airports using a dedicated line — without removing their shoes, belts or light jackets or taking out their laptops and liquids, like passengers in the regular Transportation Security Administration line are required to do. According to the TSA, 99% of PreCheck users wait less than 10 minutes to pass airport security, with nearly 100 domestic and foreign airlines participating in the program.
Related: Which airports and airlines use TSA PreCheck?
Meanwhile, Global Entry members can use dedicated kiosks at more than 75 airports to skip the U.S. Customs and Border Protection lines when entering the United States, which should mean a faster processing time.
For new applicants, a five-year membership to TSA PreCheck costs between $76.75 and $85, depending on which channel you apply through. A five-year Global Entry membership costs $120 but also includes access to TSA PreCheck. So if you are keen to enjoy the time-saving benefits at both the start and end of your journey for a single fee and application, it's a good idea to apply for Global Entry.
The cheapest way to get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
The following premium credit cards offer up to a $120 statement credit reimbursement for Global Entry application fees; if approved, you'll get TSA PreCheck as well:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees)
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees)
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (see rates and fees)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (see rates and fees)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (see rates and fees)
- United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees)
However, the above cards carry annual fees of $350 or more. While they are packed with other travel benefits, if you are only looking for a card to cover the cost of your Global Entry fee, there are several more affordable options.
The following cards offer up to a $120 statement credit toward Global Entry/TSA PreCheck for a much lower annual fee:
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: $95 annual fee.
- United℠ Explorer Card: $0 introductory annual fee, then $150 (see rates and fees).
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: $99 annual fee (see rates and fees).
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card ($0 annual fee) and Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card ($95 annual fee) also offer a $100 reimbursement through a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee every four years. While this won't cover the entire $120 Global Entry fee, it is still a valuable benefit for a card with no or a low annual fee.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
While elite status in the right airline loyalty program can help you skip the lines at check-in, boarding and baggage collection, they usually won't save you much time when going through security before your flight or clearing customs after you land. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can save you a lot of time — and you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars a year for a premium credit card to get them.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click here.
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