32 Credit Cards That Offer Free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

If you love to travel, arriving at the airport can be an exciting experience. But if there are long security lines, that elation can evaporate pretty quickly.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry provide travelers with expedited airport security screening, allowing them to skip long lines and get to their gate more quickly. The application fee for the programs are $78 and $100, respectively. But with the right credit card, you can effectively get free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.

Here’s what you need to know about both traveler programs and which credit cards will reimburse you when you apply.

What does TSA PreCheck include?

TSA PreCheck launched in 2011 and has more than 7 million members today. The program is designed to accelerate the security screening process for flights originating in the U.S. There are TSA PreCheck stations at more than 200 airports throughout the country, with 65 airlines participating.

To qualify for TSA PreCheck, you need to submit an application and complete a background check and fingerprinting during an in-person appointment at the airport. If you qualify, the membership lasts for five years. You’ll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you’ll add to your reservation when booking a flight. Your KTN will then appear on your boarding pass. When you get to the airport, you’ll go through a different lane at security and won’t need to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belt, or light jacket.

If you have children who are 12 or younger with you, they can join you in the TSA PreCheck lane. Other family members, however, may be required to go through the standard security lane unless they’re also members of the program.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 92% of TSA PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes to get through security in March 2019.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry membership costs a little bit more at $100 for five years. But even if you’re not getting it covered by your credit card, the extra $15 is usually worth it because Global Entry includes eligibility for TSA PreCheck.

The primary purpose of Global Entry, which was introduced in 2008 and has more than 5.4 million members, is to provide expedited screening at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) security checkpoints in 75 airports worldwide.

Instead of going through the regular inspection line, you use an automated kiosk, present your passport or permanent resident card, scan your fingerprints, and submit your customs declaration.

Unfortunately, young family members can’t accompany you as they can with TSA PreCheck. Each person needs to have their own Global Entry membership to use the kiosk.

Depending on the situation, a Global Entry membership can save you a lot of time when returning to the U.S. from a trip abroad.

How to get “free” TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

Several travel rewards credit cards offer free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership in the form of a reimbursement of the application fee or by using rewards points. The statement credit typically happens automatically, so you’ll just need to set up an appointment with the correct agency and use your credit card to pay the fee.

Depending on the card, it can take up to a couple of months to be reimbursed, but you can usually expect to get it sooner than that.

Here’s a list of the credit cards that provide this benefit to cardholders.

Card	Reimbursement Details	Annual Fee
Arvest Visa Signature card	Up to $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$0
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$95
BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards	Up to $100 credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$89 (waived first year)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years or Global Entry every four years	$695 Terms apply
Capital One Spark Miles for Business	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$95 (waived first year)
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$95
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$395
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$550
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years	$450
Commerce Bank World Elite Mastercard	$78 toward TSA PreCheck every four years	$95
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years	$250 Terms apply
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years	$550 Terms apply
Diners Club Carte Blanche Corporate Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years	Not disclosed
HSBC Premier World Mastercard Credit Card	$78 credit toward TSA PreCheck only, every five years	$0
IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$99
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card	Use points to pay for TSA PreCheck	$0
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card	Use points to pay for TSA PreCheck	$95
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years or Global Entry every four years	$650 Terms apply
Mastercard® Black Card™	$100 credit toward Global Entry only, every five years	$495
Mastercard® Gold Card™	$100 credit toward Global Entry only, every five years	$995
Navy Federal Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$49
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$95
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years or Global Entry every four years	$695 Terms apply
Provident World+ Travel	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$45 (waived first year)
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$199
SunTrust Travel Rewards	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every five years	$89 (waived first year)
UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$495
United Club℠ Infinite Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$525
United℠ Explorer Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$95 (waived first year)
United Quest℠ Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$250
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$400
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card	Up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years or Global Entry every four years	$85

FAQs about TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

How to pick the right card

As you can see, many of the best travel credit cards offer free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership. While some charge steep annual fees — those cards also come with other premium perks — many of them charge modest fees, and some don't charge an annual fee at all. 

As you compare card options, consider them holistically, including this benefit as well as their rewards programs, welcome offers, other perks, and annual fees. There’s no single best credit card out there for everyone, so it’s good to know what you want before you apply.

Regardless of which one you choose, you’re one step closer to shorter lines and a quicker security experience at the airport.

Explore more popular credit cards: 

• Chase credit card offers
• U.S. Bank credit card offers
• Citi credit card offers
• Capital One credit card offers