Cards that cover Global Entry membership fees
Several premium credit cards reimburse the full cost of Global Entry membership, which runs $100 for five years. The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within one to three months of you paying Global Entry directly to the Department of Homeland Security. You do not submit a receipt to the card issuer — the reimbursement is automatic once the charge posts, or you may need to set up the benefit first through your card's online portal or app.
The cards that offer this benefit tend to be high-annual-fee cards, meaning the Global Entry reimbursement is designed to offset part of what you pay yearly to hold the card. If you travel internationally or use TSA PreCheck domestically several times a year, the reimbursement can make the card's annual fee worthwhile. If you rarely travel, the annual fee may cost more than you save.
Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck as a benefit, so you get both programs' perks — expedited security screening at U.S. airports and trusted traveler status at certain international airports — under one membership. This matters because some cards reimburse only TSA PreCheck (which costs $78 to $85 for five years), while others cover the full Global Entry fee.
Key Takeaways
- Premium travel credit cards typically reimburse the $100 Global Entry fee automatically once the charge posts to your account, though some require you to set up the benefit first.
- Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck, so a single $100 membership gives you both expedited airport screening and trusted traveler status at international ports.
- The reimbursement usually appears as a statement credit within one to three months, and you pay Global Entry directly to the Department of Homeland Security, not through the card issuer.
- Cards offering this benefit typically charge $300 to $550 annually, so compare the annual fee against how often you travel before deciding whether the reimbursement makes the card worth holding.
How the reimbursement actually works
When you pay the Department of Homeland Security for Global Entry, the charge appears on your credit card statement like any other purchase. The card issuer's system recognizes the merchant code and amount, then automatically credits your account. You do not fill out a form, email a receipt, or call customer service — the reimbursement is built into the card's benefits.
Some cards require you to register the benefit in your online account or mobile app before the reimbursement will trigger. This step takes two minutes and usually involves confirming your card number and the benefit type. If you skip this step, the reimbursement may not post even though you are may be able to access. Check your card's benefits guide or call the issuer's customer service line to confirm whether registration is required.
The reimbursement covers only the official Global Entry fee charged by the Department of Homeland Security. If you pay a third-party service to help with the process or pay for expedited processing, those charges typically do not may have access to. The standard $100 five-year membership fee is what the card covers.
Cards that reimburse Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck only
| Benefit Type | What It Covers | Cost to You |
|---|---|---|
| Global Entry reimbursement | Full $100 Global Entry fee (includes TSA PreCheck) | $0 if you hold the card |
| TSA PreCheck reimbursement only | $78–$85 TSA PreCheck fee only | $15–$22 out of pocket for Global Entry if you want it |
| No reimbursement | Neither program covered | $100 for Global Entry or $78–$85 for TSA PreCheck |
If a card offers only TSA PreCheck reimbursement, you can still get Global Entry by paying the difference yourself. Global Entry costs $100 and includes TSA PreCheck, so if your card reimburses $85 for TSA PreCheck, you would pay $15 more to upgrade to Global Entry. Some travelers find this worthwhile because Global Entry covers international airports in addition to domestic TSA PreCheck benefits.
When the reimbursement does not post
The most common reason a reimbursement fails to post is that you did not set up the benefit before charging Global Entry. Even if the card automatically reimburses most benefits, some issuers require you to opt in first. Check your card's app or website under "Benefits" or "Travel Benefits" and look for "Global Entry" or "TSA PreCheck." If you see an "set up" button, click it before you pay for Global Entry.
A second reason is that you paid a third party instead of the Department of Homeland Security directly. If you used a travel agency, a visa service, or any intermediary to pay for Global Entry, the charge may not trigger the reimbursement. Always pay the official government website (tsa.gov for TSA PreCheck, globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov for Global Entry) to may support the reimbursement posts.
If you paid correctly and activated the benefit but the reimbursement did not appear within three months, contact the card issuer's customer service. Bring your Global Entry confirmation number and the date the charge posted to your statement. The issuer can manually review the transaction and post the credit if there was a system error.
Whether the annual fee makes sense for you
A card that reimburses Global Entry typically charges $300 to $550 per year. If you travel internationally at least once every two years, the $100 reimbursement covers one-third to one-fifth of the annual fee, which can make the card worthwhile if you also use other benefits like airport lounge access, travel credits, or purchase protections. If you travel once a year or less, the annual fee may outweigh the value you receive.
Consider what else the card offers. Many premium travel cards include benefits like complimentary airport lounge access (which can save $25 to $50 per visit), travel insurance, baggage protections, and statement credits for airline purchases or hotel stays. Add up the value of all these benefits over a year, then subtract the annual fee. If the total is positive, the card may be worth holding. If the Global Entry reimbursement is the only benefit you would use, the card is probably not a good fit.
You can also time your card process around when you need to renew Global Entry. If your current membership expires in six months, explore for a new card now means you can use the reimbursement when ready and get five more years of membership. If your membership is brand new, you might wait four years before explore for the card, so the reimbursement aligns with your renewal date.
How Global Entry and TSA PreCheck differ
TSA PreCheck is a domestic program that lets you go through expedited security screening at U.S. airports. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through a dedicated lane. It costs $78 to $85 for five years and is available at most major U.S. airports.
Global Entry includes everything TSA PreCheck offers, plus expedited processing when you return to the United States through certain international airports. You use a kiosk to scan your passport and answer customs questions, then proceed to baggage claim without speaking to an agent. It costs $100 for five years. If you travel internationally even once every five years, Global Entry is the better value because you get both benefits under one membership.
Some credit cards reimburse only TSA PreCheck because it is cheaper and appeals to domestic-only travelers. If a card you are considering offers only TSA PreCheck reimbursement, check whether you travel internationally. If you do, you might choose a different card that covers the full Global Entry fee, or pay the $15 to $22 difference yourself to upgrade from TSA PreCheck to Global Entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card to pay for Global Entry for the reimbursement to work?
Yes. The reimbursement triggers only when you charge Global Entry to that specific credit card. If you pay with a different card, cash, or a bank transfer, the reimbursement will not post. Make sure you use the card that offers the benefit when you pay the Department of Homeland Security.
What if I already paid for Global Entry before I got the card?
Most cards do not reimburse charges made before you opened the account. However, some issuers will reimburse a recent charge if you contact customer service and explain the situation. Call the card's customer service line and ask whether they can make an exception. The worst they can say is no, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Can I use the reimbursement for someone else's Global Entry membership?
No. The reimbursement covers only Global Entry or TSA PreCheck charged to the cardholder's own account. You cannot pay for a family member's membership and expect the reimbursement to post. Each person who wants Global Entry or TSA PreCheck needs their own membership and their own card with the reimbursement benefit.
Does the reimbursement cover the renewal fee when my membership expires?
Yes. When your Global Entry membership is up for renewal, you can pay the renewal fee (also $100) to the Department of Homeland Security using the same card, and the reimbursement will post again. The benefit typically resets each year, so you can use it for both the initial membership and future renewals as long as you hold the card.
What happens if I cancel the card before my Global Entry membership expires?
Canceling the card does not affect your Global Entry membership. Once the reimbursement posts and you have paid the Department of Homeland Security, your membership is active for five years regardless of what happens to the card. You can cancel the card when ready after the reimbursement posts if you want, though you would lose access to the card's other benefits.