Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry of November 2023
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The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, American Express® Green Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Frequent travelers know that having TSA PreCheck or Global Entry makes your airport experience significantly more pleasant. With a TSA PreCheck membership, you'll have access to an expedited security screening line, and Global Entry members can get faster customs screening when they return to the US from abroad. Luckily, many of the best credit cards can get you these benefits for free.
Best Credit Cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
The Platinum Card® from American Express - Product Name Only Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - Product Name Only Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - Product Name Only Chase Sapphire Reserve® - Product Name Only Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card - Product Name Only IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card - Product Name Only United℠ Explorer Card - Product Name Only Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® - Product Name Only Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card - Product Name Only Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card - Product Name Only U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card - Product Name Only U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card - Product Name Only Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card - Product Name Only
Many of the best travel credit cards — including the
Compare the Best Credit Cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Credit Card Reviews
Amex Platinum
Annual fee:
To start, you can earn
Though this is not an airline rewards card,
American Express gives a statement credit to offset the application fee of either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (up to $100 every four years). You'll see the credit appear on your account within eight weeks of payment.
American Express Platinum Card Review
Capital One Venture X
Annual fee:
The
Other benefits include $300 per year in credits toward travel booked through Capital One, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One airport lounge access (even for authorized users), a 10,000-mile bonus on each account anniversary (worth $100 in travel), and Visa Infinite travel and purchase benefits.
Once every four years,
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Review
Capital One Venture
Annual fee:
The
With the
Capital One gives a statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, but you won't see the credit on your statement until two billing cycles after paying the application fee.
Capital One Venture Card Review
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Annual fee:
The
The Chase Ultimate Rewards points you'll earn with the card are simple and lucrative, with 5x points on air travel and 10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after earning the $300 annual travel credit) and 3x points on all other travel and dining. For booking travel, you can book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, and redeem points for 1.5 cents each.
The
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card Review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
Annual fee:
The
Cardholders receive a free night worth up to 85,000 points after each annual card renewal month, and up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. It also offers Priority Pass airport lounge access**, automatic Marriott Platinum elite status, and 25 elite night credits each calendar year.
The
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card Review
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Annual fee:
The
The card's most significant reward is a reward anniversary night each year that is valid on hotels costing up to 40,000 points. Additionally, cardholders earn 10x points with IHG properties (up to 26x points), though IHG points are nowhere near as valuable as others listed in this article.
This card also earns 5x points at restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores, and 3x points on all other purchases. Cardholders are also eligible for a fourth reward night when using points to book a hotel stay of three or more consecutive nights at eligible properties.
You're eligible for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit up to $100 every four years, and you'll see the statement credit on your account within 24 hours of making that payment.
There's a small-business version of this card as well: the
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Review
United Explorer Card
Annual fee:
The
Cardholders earn 2x miles for every dollar spent on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays, and 25% back on inflight purchases. To sweeten your airline experience, you and one companion on the same reservation can check your first bag for free when you use your
You're eligible for a NEXUS, Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck statement credit up to $100 every four years, and the credit will post to your account 24 hours after making the payment.
The premium United credit cards —
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee:
The
Other benefits include a first bag checked for free on domestic AA itineraries, priority boarding on American flights, and the ability to earn 10,000 Loyalty Points toward American elite status after spending $40,000 on the card during the qualifying status year.
The Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit is available once every five years.
Citi AAdvantage Executive Card Review
Amex Delta Platinum
Annual fee:
The
It earns 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases and on purchases made directly with hotels, in addition to 2x miles at restaurants including takeout and delivery and US supermarkets.
The
Another benefit is a statement credit up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees after you apply through any authorized enrollment provider, which the
Platinum Delta Amex Card Review
Delta Reserve Card
Annual fee:
The
Plus, you'll earn 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases. You'll get both Delta Sky Club access and Amex Centurion lounge access when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve card members will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Like the
If you want to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) toward Delta Medallion status and you can meet high spending thresholds, the Delta Reserve gives you plenty of opportunities to rack up the MQMs. You'll earn 15,000 MQMs after you spend $30,000 in a calendar year, up to four times per year. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card.
Cardholders receive up to $100 in credit toward the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years after applying through any authorized enrollment provider. This is also available on the
US Bank Altitude Connect
Annual fee:
The
Cardholders receive a $30 annual streaming bonus for eligible services like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Spotify, cell phone protection, and Visa Signature benefits.
Once every four years,
US Bank Altitude Connect Card Review
US Bank Altitude Reserve
Annual fee:
The
The card offers a wide range of perks, including up to $325 annual credit that reimburses travel and dining purchases and top-notch Visa Infinite travel and purchase protections.
US Bank Altitude Reserve Review
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
Annual fee:
The
The card earns 2x points on travel and dining purchases and 1.5x points spent on all other purchases. Points can be used with an exchange rate of 1 cent per point on a range of gift cards, or the same rate for cash back, travel, or a statement credit.
This card offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit of up to $100 every four years.
Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card Review
How to Get CLEAR Plus for Free With Credit Cards
A handful of travel cards offer statement credits to offset the fees associated with (the much more expensive) CLEAR Plus program. CLEAR Plus is an expedited security screening program that allows you to cut the line at many TSA checkpoints around the country (and even some stadiums).
The standard price for CLEAR Plus is $189 per year — a hefty price for anyone not carrying one of the following cards:
The Platinum Card® from American Express —The Platinum Card® from American Express The Business Platinum Card® from American Express —The Business Platinum Card® from American Express American Express® Green Card —American Express® Green Card
These cards will give you $189 toward CLEAR Plus each year. It's technically possible to get CLEAR Plus for less than $189, which means a single card could potentially get two free memberships. For example, CLEAR Plus is
- Free for Delta Diamond Medallion and United 1K elite members
- $149 per year for: Platinum, Gold, and Silver elite members of both Delta and United
- $149 per year for: Cardholders of most Delta or United credit cards
- $179 per year for: General Delta or United members (no elite status required)
The two Platinum cards above also offer free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, so they're arguably the best rewards credit cards for expedited security.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck allows you to pass through most domestic airport security checkpoints without a lot of rigmarole. You don't have to remove your shoes, belt, or light jacket; you don't have to take your laptop out of your bag; you don't even have to put your carry-on compliant toiletries in a separate bin.
To boot, there's also (usually) a separate lane exclusively for TSA PreCheck members. Not only is this lane often shorter, but it processes much faster because you're behind others who don't have to remove their shoes and belt, either.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry gives you an expedited experience at immigration at many US airports when returning home from overseas. Instead of waiting in long lines, you can find a Global Entry kiosk, answer a few questions, and the kiosk will print out a paper that you can simply hand to an officer before leaving the airport. This can quite literally save hours during a single use.
How long do TSA PreCheck and Global Entry last?
Both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry memberships last five years.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
Global Entry doesn't technically give you a TSA PreCheck membership — but it will qualify you for TSA PreCheck on most flights.
How do I get TSA Precheck for free?
TSA PreCheck costs $78 for five years. But as covered above, there are fistfuls of credit cards that will reimburse this fee automatically as long as you pay the fee with a qualifying card.
How do I submit a Global Entry application?
You can submit a Global Entry application online — but similar to TSA PreCheck, you'll have to actually visit an enrollment center to complete the process.
However, Global Entry differs from TSA PreCheck in that it's much more difficult to achieve. There are dramatically fewer enrollment centers around the country, and the soonest appointment can be months away.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
Our list of the best credit cards for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry was informed by our extensive credit card reviews, which follow our credit card rating methodology to assign a score from 1 to 5. The top credit card factors we look at are: the welcome bonus, the ongoing rewards rates, annual fee, other benefits and perks, and how easy it is to get good value out of the card.