TSA Precheck & Global Entry Credits
There are all kinds of perks in the award travel space to help improve your travel experience. A trusted traveler program such as TSA PreCheck or Global Entry are necessary tools in award traveler's tool belts. Trusted traveler programs such as these offer expedited security screening to their members. It's hard to imagine traveling without either of these benefits once you have had them. From breezing through re-entry to the United States, to keeping your shoes on at the security line, these programs offer some helpful travel benefits. Fortunately for us, there are many credit cards with TSA Precheck & Global Entry credits that cover the cost of membership for these programs. Let's take a look at some of the ToP cards that offer this credit card perk.
Global Entry Versus TSA PreCheck
The credit cards with TSA Precheck & Global Entry credits are a many, but what is the difference between the two options? Let's take a look at what you get with each program below, and which one suites your needs better – and why it is Global Entry.
TSA PreCheck
The TSA PreCheck program expedited screening through participating US TSA security checkpoints. This is quite helpful for the mostly domestic traveler. With a TSA PreCheck membership you can utilize the expedited TSA PreCheck clearance line to save some time and often avoiding removing shoes, light jackets. The application fee for TSA PreCheck is $78, which is fully reimbursed by the credit these credit cards offer.
Global Entry
Simply put, Global Entry includes all of the same benefits of TSA PreCheck. In addition to these benefits, Global Entry also includes expedited re-entry into the United States. Applying for Global Entry does come with a slight trade off, however. In order to be accepted into Global Entry, you need to clear a background check and then complete an in-person interview. Often finding availability for these interviews can take months, especially in larger cities with many completing applicants. Effective October 1, 2024 the application fee for Global Entry is increasing to $120. Hopefully all bank's will step up and increase their credit to match the new application fee, as some have already.
Should You Get a Card Just For These Trusted Traveler Program Credits?
We typically recommend not getting a card only for it's benefits. The benefits of a card are often one of the secondary reasons to get a card. Instead, we recommend focusing on getting optimal value from new cards by strategically signing up for cards for the welcome offer. The value of a trusted traveler credit maxes out at around $120, where as a good welcome offer could be worth well over $1,000. Therefore, it's really important to focus on welcome offers as opposed to just getting a card with a benefit. That said, if you already have these cards and are just wondering which include a credit, or are already planning on getting one of these cards then it can make sense to grab one.
Credit Cards With TSA Precheck & Global Entry Credits
Below is a list of cards from major banks that include a credit that offsets the application fee for Global Entry & TSA PreCheck. The credits can be used once every four years, per card.
Chase
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- United Explorer Card
- United Quest Card
- United Club Infinite Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card
- Aeroplan Credit Card
- Southwest Performance Business Card
Citi
- Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
- Citi Prestige Card
Capital One
American Express
- American Express Platinum
- American Express Business Platinum
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Bank of America
US Bank
- US Bank Altitude Connect
- US Bank Altitude Reserve
- US Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express
Trusted Traveler Credit: ToP Thoughts
Expedited security screening is a must have for award travelers. Who doesn't like waiting in fewer lines?! With so many credit cards offering a TSA Precheck & Global Entry credit it is not something I am rushing to grab with my applications. Especially as you get further into the points and miles hobby, we often accumulate cards with duplicate benefits. I personally give away Global Entry credits to all of my friends and family that I travel with as I have many unused credits. There was a tip in there, and in case you missed it, the card holder does not have to be the applicant – it just needs to be billed to the card.
Have you used a Trusted Traveler credit on one of your credit cards? Let us know over in the ToP Facebook Group!
