Key takeaways

  • A number of popular travel credit cards include a statement credit to cover either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.
  • Once you have a credit card with a Global Entry benefit, you'll apply for Global Entry as usual and pay the application fee with your eligible credit card.
  • Whether you're approved for Global Entry or not, your credit card issuer will automatically apply your Global Entry fee credit to your account, usually within two billing cycles.

Global Entry, which is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program, allows travelers to skip through customs and immigration clearance lines when arriving back to the United States after traveling overseas. While there’s no guarantee in terms of how much time you can save with this membership, you can often shave an hour or more off of your arrival time (depending on the day and other factors).

When you sign up for Global Entry, you’ll also receive a TSA PreCheck membership, allowing you to enter expedited security lines at U.S. airports. Additionally, you can avoid the most tedious components of regular airport security like having to remove your shoes and take your laptop out of your bag.

While neither Global Entry membership or TSA PreCheck membership is free, a handful of popular travel credit cards include a statement credit to cover membership in either program. This means that once you apply and are approved for a credit card that offers this perk, you can use the card to pay for either membership and see the application fee reimbursed automatically.

Best credit cards with Global Entry reimbursement

Here are some of the top travel credit cards that pay for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees:

Card Annual fee Global Entry benefit
Chase Sapphire Reserve $550 Receive up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS membership once every 4 years
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card $95 Receive up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership once every 4 years
The Platinum Card from American Express $695 Receive up to a $100 statement credit toward Global Entry membership once every 4 years or up to an $85 statement credit toward TSA PreCheck membership once every 4.5 years after you apply for a 5-year membership
United Explorer Card $0 intro annual fee for first year, then $95 Receive up to a $100 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS membership once every 4 years

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for luxury travel and everyday rewards

  • Global Entry benefit: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a statement credit of up to $100 every four years when you use your credit card to pay for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.
  • Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
  • Rewards rate: Earn 10X points on hotel stays, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 10X points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025); 5X points on air travel through Ultimate Rewards; 3X points on restaurant and general travel purchases; and 1X points on all other purchases.
  • Annual fee: There is a $550 annual fee.
  • Major cardholder benefits: Some notable benefits include a $300 annual travel credit for travel purchases made on your card each account anniversary year, Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay reimbursement and return protection.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for a low annual fee

  • Global Entry benefit: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card comes with up to a $100 credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (once every four years) when you use your credit card to pay the application fee.
  • Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening (equal to $750 in travel).
  • Rewards rate: Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and an unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
  • Annual fee: There is a $95 annual fee.
  • Major cardholder benefits: Some notable benefits include no foreign transaction fees, an auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance and extended warranty coverage.

The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for luxury travelers

  • Global Entry benefit: The Platinum Card® from American Express offers up to a $100 statement credit toward Global Entry every four years or up to an $85 statement credit toward TSA PreCheck every four and a half years after you apply for a five-year membership and pay the application fee with your eligible card.
  • Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 in the first six months of card membership.
  • Rewards rate: Earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel and 1X points on other purchases.
  • Annual fee: There is a $695 annual fee.
  • Major cardholder benefits: Some notable benefits include airport lounge access, Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, up to $200 in airline fee statement credits for incidentals with a qualifying airline each calendar year and up to $200 in statement credits per year for Uber rides or Uber Eats ($15 per month, plus an extra $20 in December).

United Explorer Card: Best for United Airlines

  • Global Entry benefit: The United℠ Explorer Card* offers up to a $100 statement credit every four years when you use your credit card to pay for the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS.
  • Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
  • Rewards rate: Earn 2X miles on eligible United Airlines purchases, 2X miles on dining and directly-purchased hotel stays and 1X miles on other purchases.
  • Annual fee: There is a $0 annual fee the first year, then a $95 annual fee.
  • Major cardholder benefits: Some notable benefits include a free first checked bag on United flights for you and a companion (terms apply), two United Club one-time passes (deposited into your account after account opening and each anniversary year), 25 percent back (as a statement credit) on in-flight United purchases and priority boarding on United flights.

How to get a Global Entry fee waived with a credit card

If you are planning on applying for Global Entry anyway, it’s smart to consider a credit card with a Global Entry perk. However, there are a few steps involved if you want to apply for Global Entry, have your membership approved and get the Global Entry fee removed from your credit card bill.

1. Apply for a credit card with a Global Entry fee credit

The first step is to find a credit card that offers a Global Entry benefit. Make sure to compare credit cards in terms of the additional perks and rewards they offer, as well as the annual fee that is charged. When you find a credit card that suits your needs, take steps to apply and fill out its application.

2. Create a Trusted Traveler Programs account

Once you have a credit card that offers a Global Entry credit, you need to create a Trusted Travel Programs (TTP) account. You’ll need to provide an array of personal information during the process, ranging from your full name and address to your Social Security number, employment information and any information listed on your passport.

3. Pay the Global Entry fee with your credit card

Once you fill out your application for a Trusted Travelers Programs account, you’ll be asked to pay the fee to apply. To have the Global Entry fee reimbursed by your credit card, you must use the credit card that offers this perk to pay. Once you pay the $100 fee for Global Entry and submit your application, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin looking over your application.

4. Set up an interview and get approved

If your application is conditionally approved, you’ll be asked to set up an in-person interview. Note that you can only complete your interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center, and these locations are not available in every major city. Either way, find the closest enrollment center and set up your appointment.

5. Watch for the fee credit to appear on your credit card statement

Whether you’re approved for Global Entry or not, your credit card issuer will automatically apply your Global Entry fee credit to your account, usually within two billing cycles. Remember credit cards that offer this benefit typically let you use it every four years. Since Global Entry membership lasts for five years, this means you could use your credit to renew your Global Entry membership forevermore.

Frequently asked questions about Global Entry

  • Global Entry is a government-backed program that allows you to submit your information and qualify for expedited security access when you arrive at U.S. airports after traveling overseas. This program lets you skip the regular customs and immigration lines and move through separate Global Entry lines with other Global Entry members, which can easily save you hours upon your arrival in the United States.
  • FGlobal Entry membership costs $100, whereas TSA PreCheck membership is $85. Both memberships last for five years. It’s important to note that Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck membership, so you can get a membership with both programs for one fee.
  • Global Entry applications can take up to six months to approve. However, most membership approvals happen on a much faster timeline. If you’ve submitted an application, you can log in to your Trusted Travelers Programs account to check the status at any time.

How we chose these cards

The writer chose the credit cards featured in this article to showcase a variety of popular travel credit cards that include a statement credit to cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

*The information about the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.