Learn all about the Best Credit Cards of 2021 for Global Entry & TSA PreCheck!
People typically opt for travel credit cards because of their big welcome bonuses. It is important to take into account all of the ongoing benefits of a card before applying for one. Benefits can include things such as the topic of this guide: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
See our best credit card bonuses here.
Global Entry & TSA PreCheck Features
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are both trusted traveler programs that can be easily mixed up. In order to apply for either of these programs, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident.
Here’s a few differences and similarities between the two trusted traveler programs.
| GLOBAL ENTRY | TSA PRECHECK |
| $100 application fee | $85 application fee |
| Valid for 5 years | Valid for 5 years |
| Applies to domestic & international flights with participating airlines & airports |
Applies to domestic flights with participating airlines & airports |
| Benefits include: TSA PreCheck Faster immigration & customs screening Expedited processing at land borders |
Benefits include: Shorter lines Keep shoes, belt & jacket on Leave laptop & liquids in your carry-on |
| Requirements: Online application, in-person interview & background check | Requirements: Online application, in-person interview & background check |
In general, it is more recommended to apply for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck. This is because Global Entry covers both programs. If you have a credit card that reimburses you for the application fee, that’s one more reason to shoot for Global Entry.
Best Mid-Tier Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a statement credit every four years for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee when you charge it to your Venture Card. This credit can take up to two billing cycles to appear.
Capital One Venture is one of the best flat-rate travel cards on the market. It’s got a very simple rewards structure with double miles on all your purchases. You’ll also enjoy a solid sign-up bonus, waived annual fees for your first year and no foreign transaction fees.
You can easily redeem the miles you earn with your Venture card at $0.01 per mile. Or, you can transfer them to partner airlines for maximum value.
 The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. You're able to earn: • 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. |
With the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card, you’re eligible for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years. The credit takes just seven days to post to your account.
BofA Premium Rewards was designed for the jetsetting foodie with double points on both travel and dining. The card also comes with a decent sign-up bonus and statement credits every year for airline incidentals. Plus, Preferred Rewards members earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase.
You can use your Premium Rewards points for cash back, statement credits, travel and gift cards at $0.01 apiece.
Best Premium Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
The Platinum Card from American Express is unique because it extends the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit perk to authorized users. It takes under eight weeks for the credit to post to your account.
The Platinum Card is a great option if you’re looking for rewards on air travel. It gives a generous sign-up bonus, points on flights, airline incidental fee credits every year, Global Lounge Collection access and much, much more.
You can use your Membership Rewards points for travel, statement credits, gift cards and more. But to maximize their value, we recommend transferring your points to travel partners.
 The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. This card comes with an annual fee of $695 (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. Terms Apply. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck waiver every four years. You’ll see the credit post within 24 hours of paying the application fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve has a strong rewards program with valuable, premium perks. In addition to generous points on travel and dining, you’ll get an annual travel credit, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, waived foreign transaction fees and more.
You can redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for a wide variety of things, but we recommend using them for travel via the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal for $0.015 each. Or, transfer them to a travel partner to get the most value out of your points.
 The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards. You'll earn • 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. • 5X total points on flights • 3X points on other travel and dining • 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases When redeeming your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get 50% more value. This card does carry a $550 annual fee and there are no foreign transaction fees. However, you're able to earn a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year & up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. |
Best Hotel Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers a statement credit for the Global Entry (every four years) or TSA PreCheck (every 4.5 years) application fee. The credit will hit your account within eight weeks from the charge to your card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant is loaded with premium perks which more than make up for its hefty annual fee. You’ll enjoy a big sign-up bonus, points on Marriott spending, points on dining and flights, Gold elite status, Priority Pass Select membership, Marriott credits, and much more.
 The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 3 months. Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. With this card, you'll earn: • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott BonvoyTM program. • 3X points at Worldwide Restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. • 2X points on all other eligible purchases. A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member. Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership through any Authorized Enrollment Provider for TSA PreCheck (up to $85) when you pay the application fee with an eligible Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. $100 Luxury Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card. This card comes with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. However, you can receive 1 free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees. (See Rates & Fees) Furthermore, enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass Select membership. Terms Apply. |
With the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, you can take advantage of one Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years. The credit will post to your account within 24 hours of the charge to your card.
As a mid-tier card, IHG Rewards Club Premier comes with loads of benefits. Including a big sign-up bonus, extra points on IHG, gas station, grocery store and restaurant purchases, complimentary Platinum Elite status, one Reward Night each year and more.
 The IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card offers 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases This card offers several perks that you'll sure enjoy like: an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts (plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay) And as long as you're a cardmember, you'll have Platinum Elite status. You'll get Global Entry or TSA Pre?®, or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card. There is an annual fee of $99. |
Best Airline Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
The United Explorer Card includes the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck waiver every four years. You’ll see the credit post within 24 hours of paying the application fee.
United Explorer waives the annual fee for your first year and gives a generous sign-up bonus, double miles on United, hotel stay and restaurant purchases, your first checked bag free on United flights and more.
 The United Explorer Card offers 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. You'll earn: • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United purchases • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining including eligible delivery services Perks of this card include: • Getting up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit • Get your first bag checked for free (up to $140 savings per roundtrip). Terms apply. • Get priority boarding perks & visit the United Club with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary • 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks • Get one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both DoorDash and Caviar that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees on eligible orders. After that, you are automatically enrolled in DashPass at the current monthly rate. Activate by 12/31/24. This card does come with a $95 annual fee, however, the annual fee is waived for the first year. |
With the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, you can take advantage of one Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years. The credit will post to your account up to eight weeks after the charge to your card.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum earns miles on Delta and hotel purchases as well as miles at restaurants and supermarkets. It offers a companion certificate each year upon card renewal, letting you bring a travel buddy along on a domestic itinerary in Main Cabin for free (plus taxes and fees).
 The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earn up to 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights. You can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels; 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. This card comes with a $250 Annual Fee, but for each round trip Delta flight, you can check your first bag for free and save up to $240. In addition, there is no foreign transaction fee. You'll also get fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre?®. (See Rates & Fees). Terms Apply. |
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every five years. The credit will hit your account within eight to ten weeks from the charge to your card.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive is American Airlines’ premium co-branded option, with Admirals Club access for you and your family members or up to two guests, one free checked bag on domestic AA flights, priority boarding and much more.
 The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard® offers 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. You'll earn: • 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases • 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases • 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage mile earned from purchases This card comes with $450 annual fee, however, there are no foreign transaction fees. You can also save when traveling - first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation. On top of that, you'll get an Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you. |
Best Business Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a statement credit every four years for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee when you charge it to your card. This credit can take up to two billing cycles to appear.
Spark Miles cardmembers enjoy a solid sign-up bonus, miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, miles on all other purchases and free employee cards.
You can easily redeem the miles you earn with your Spark Miles card at $0.01 per mile. Or, you can transfer them to partner airlines for maximum value.
 The Capital One Spark Miles for Business offers a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles - equal to $500 in travel - once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Your miles won't expire for the life of the account, and there are no categories to limit where or what you buy and you can earn 2 miles per $1 on every purchase. And 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One TravelSM using a Spark Miles card There is an annual fee of $95, however, there is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and fly on any airline, anytime, with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. |
With the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, you’re eligible for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years. The credit takes just 24 hours to post to your account.
Southwest Performance Business includes a big sign-up bonus, points on Southwest purchases, points on social media and search engine advertising as well as internet cable and phone services, an anniversary bonus, four upgraded boardings every year, and inflight WiFi credits.
 The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card offers 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This card earns • NEW! Earn 4X points on Southwest purchases. • Earn 3X points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners. • NEW! Earn 2X points on rideshare. • Earn 2X points on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services and 1X points on all other purchases. In addition, you can score 9,000 bonus points after your Cardmember anniversary, get 4 upgraded boarding passes per year, and more! |
Like the Platinum Card, the Business Platinum Card from American Express extends the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit perk to authorized users. It takes under eight weeks for the credit to post to your account.
Amex Business Platinum has many premium benefits that take your travel to the next level, including airline fee credits every year, access to lounges in the Amex Global Lounge Collection, automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold statuses, and more.
You can use your Membership Rewards points for travel, statement credits, gift cards and etc. But to maximize their value, we recommend transferring your points to travel partners.
 The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has a welcome offer of 120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com. • 1.5X Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases at US 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 points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases • Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless with the Business Platinum Card. • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card or any of the Additional Cards on your Platinum Card account. • $189 CLEAR Credit: CLEAR uses biometrics to assign you a touchless ID, allowing you to move faster through security at select airports and stadiums across the U.S. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR membership with up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR with your Business Platinum Card. This card does come with a $695 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
Additional Guide
Bottom Line
Be sure to learn all about the perks and fees when choosing which credit card to open. Making an educated decision could help you maximize your spendings and get great rewards.
We included all of our favorite cards that offer good perks and bonuses, with Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits For more credit cards, see our latest list of the best credit card bonuses!
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