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), though the specific program covered and the reimbursement method vary by card. The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit after you submit a receipt or claim number, not as an when ready refund at the airport.
The cards most commonly offering this benefit include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, American Express Gold, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Prestige. However, the exact terms—whether the card covers Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or both; whether it covers renewals; and how you claim the credit—differ from card to card and can change year to year.
Before you explore for a card based on this benefit alone, check the issuer's current terms on their website, because the benefit structure is not standardized across the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Premium credit cards reimburse Global Entry ($100 every five years) or TSA PreCheck ($78 to $85 every five years) as a statement credit, not an when ready discount.
- The reimbursement usually requires you to submit a receipt or membership number to the card issuer after you pay for the program yourself.
- Some cards cover both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck; others cover only one, and a few cover neither despite being premium-tier cards.
- Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, so if a card covers Global Entry, you do not need a separate TSA PreCheck membership.
- The benefit terms change periodically, so verify the current offer on the card issuer's website before explore.
How the reimbursement actually works
When a credit card offers to reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, the process is not automatic. You pay the full fee to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (for Global Entry) or the TSA (for PreCheck) yourself, then submit proof of payment to your credit card issuer. The issuer then credits your account statement, usually within four to eight weeks.
Most cards require you to submit either a receipt showing the charge or your membership confirmation number through the card's online portal or mobile app. A few cards automatically track the charge if it posts to the card and credit it without requiring a claim, but this is less common. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer's customer service line to confirm whether you need to submit a claim or whether the credit is automatic.
The reimbursement is typically a one-time credit per membership cycle. If your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck expires and you renew it, you will usually need to submit a new claim for the renewal fee.
Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck: which cards cover what
Global Entry is the more comprehensive program. It covers expedited screening at U.S. airports (TSA PreCheck benefit), plus expedited customs and immigration processing when you return to the United States by air, sea, or land. The fee is $100 for five years. Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck, so you do not need both memberships.
TSA PreCheck covers only expedited screening at U.S. airports—shorter lines, shoes and belt stay on, laptop stays in bag. The fee is $78 to $85 for five years, depending on your state and whether you renew or explore new. It does not cover customs or immigration processing.
Some premium cards reimburse Global Entry only, some reimburse TSA PreCheck only, and some let you choose which one to use the credit toward. The Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, reimburses Global Entry specifically. The American Express Platinum reimburses either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Before you explore, confirm which program the card covers and whether that matches your travel patterns.
Cards that cover the full fee versus partial coverage
Most premium cards that offer this benefit cover the full cost of either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck in a single year. However, the structure varies: some cards reimburse once per membership cycle (every five years), while others reimburse once per calendar year, which means you could theoretically receive multiple credits if you hold the card long enough.
A small number of cards offer only partial reimbursement or reimbursement only for the initial process, not renewals. Read the benefits guide carefully to confirm whether the card covers renewals, because if it does not, you will pay out of pocket when your membership expires.
If you hold multiple premium cards, you may be able to use the benefit on each card once, though most cardholders do not need to do this since one membership covers all your travel.
When the reimbursement does not appear
The most common reason a reimbursement does not post is that you did not submit a claim when the card requires one. Check your card's benefits guide or app to see whether the credit is automatic or claim-based. If it is claim-based and you do not submit proof within the time window (usually 30 to 90 days), the issuer may not honor it.
Another reason is that the charge did not post to the card you thought it did. If you paid with a different card or a bank account, the issuer will not see the charge and cannot reimburse it. Make sure you charge the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee directly to the credit card offering the benefit.
If you submitted a claim and the credit did not appear within eight weeks, contact the card issuer's customer service line. Have your receipt and membership confirmation number ready. The issuer can research the claim and reissue the credit if it was lost or denied in error.
Whether this benefit justifies the card's annual fee
Premium credit cards that offer Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement typically charge annual fees of $250 to $695. The reimbursement covers only a portion of that fee—Global Entry costs $100 every five years, which averages to $20 per year. TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 every five years, or roughly $15 to $17 per year.
This benefit alone does not justify the annual fee. However, if you travel frequently and would pay for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck anyway, the reimbursement reduces your net cost of holding the card. Many cardholders value the combination of this benefit plus other perks like travel credits, lounge access, or points multipliers on travel and dining.
If you do not travel frequently or do not plan to use Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, this benefit has no value to you, and you should evaluate the card based on its other features.
How to claim the reimbursement
The steps to claim the reimbursement depend on your card issuer. Here is the general process:
- Pay the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee directly with the credit card offering the benefit. Go to the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website (for Global Entry) or the TSA website (for TSA PreCheck) to explore.
- Keep your receipt or note your membership confirmation number.
- Log into your credit card's online portal or mobile app and look for a benefits or claims section. Some issuers have a dedicated portal for submitting reimbursement claims.
- Submit your receipt or membership number as instructed. Some cards ask for a photo of the receipt; others ask for the confirmation number only.
- Wait for the credit to post to your account statement. This typically takes four to eight weeks.
If your card issuer does not have an online claims portal, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask how to submit a claim for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the reimbursement if I already have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
Yes, you can use the reimbursement toward your renewal fee when your membership expires. Submit the renewal receipt or confirmation number to your card issuer the same way you would for an initial process. Some cards limit the reimbursement to one per membership cycle, so you cannot claim it twice in five years.
What if I have Global Entry but the card only reimburses TSA PreCheck?
You cannot use the reimbursement toward a Global Entry fee if the card covers only TSA PreCheck. However, since Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits, you do not need both. If you already have Global Entry, the TSA PreCheck reimbursement has no value to you unless you want to hold it for a future card switch.
Do I have to use the reimbursement in the same year I get the card?
No. You can explore for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck at any time while you hold the card, and submit the claim whenever you pay the fee. However, if the card's benefit is limited to once per calendar year, you must submit the claim in the year you pay the fee to receive the credit.
What happens if I cancel the card before the reimbursement posts?
If you cancel the card before the credit appears on your statement, the issuer may not honor the claim. Submit your claim as soon as possible after paying the fee, and wait for the credit to post before canceling the card. If you have already canceled and the credit did not post, contact the issuer to ask whether they will still honor it.
Can I get reimbursed for both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck on the same card?
No. Since Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, you only need one membership. If a card reimburses either program, you can choose which one to use the credit toward, but you cannot claim both. If you hold multiple cards that each offer this benefit, you could theoretically use each card's credit once, but most people do not need multiple memberships.