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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.