The Best 7 Credit Cards for Free TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

If you love to travel, you know that arriving at the airport can bring mixed feelings. Sure, you have the excitement of your upcoming trip. But there’s also the stress and frustration that can come with long security lines.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry provide travelers with expedited airport security screening, allowing them to skip long lines and get to their gates more quickly. The application fees for the programs are $78 and $120, respectively. But with the right credit card, you can effectively get a complimentary 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.

7 best credit cards for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• The Platinum Card from American Express
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

Compare the best credit cards for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

Plenty of travel rewards credit cards offer complimentary 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.

A few of these cards really stand out for people looking to get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, along with a slew of other travel benefits.

Card name	Main travel benefits	Annual fee
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 4.7 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Up to $120 in statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years	$95
Chase Sapphire Reserve® 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Up to $100 in statement credit toward TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry every four years Up to $300 in annual statement credits for travel expenses Complimentary lounge access to the Priority Pass network	$550
The Platinum Card® from American Express 5.0 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Up to $85 in statement credit toward TSA PreCheck® every 4.5 years (five-year plan only) or up to $120 in statement credit for Global Entry every four years Each year, up to $200 in Uber Cash, up to $200 in airline fee credits, and up to $199 in statement credit for CLEAR® Plus membership Up to $200 in statement credit for qualifying bookings at select hotels, which requires a minimum two-night stay at The Hotel Collection properties. Complimentary lounge access to the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and Priority Pass networks (Select benefits may require enrollment)	$695
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card 4.9 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Up to $120 in statement credit toward TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry every four years $300 in annual travel credits for bookings made through Capital One Travel Complimentary lounge access to the Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge networks	$395
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card 4.4 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Up to $100 in statement credit toward TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry every four years Up to $100 in annual statement credits for qualifying airline incidental purchases, such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, and more	$95
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card 4.4 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Up to $85 in statement credit toward TSA PreCheck® every 4.5 years or up to $120 in statement credit for Global Entry every four years Annual companion certificate to bring someone on a round-trip flight Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights (Select benefits may require enrollment)	$350
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card 4.3 FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	Up to $100 in statement credits toward your application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership to visit airport lounges	$0

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card stands out from other travel credit cards for its high flat-rate rewards rate. While many cards offer elevated rates in certain bonus categories, the Venture Rewards offers an impressive 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day — and that’s on top of the higher rewards rate for Capital One Travel bookings.

In addition to its TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credit, this card offers travel perks that include no foreign transaction fees, a $50 experience credit on Lifestyle Collection Bookings, Hertz Five Star Status, auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel accident insurance.¹ <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.<br></p>

Read our Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is Chase’s premium travel credit card, not to mention one of the most popular on the market. Though it has a high annual fee, it makes up for it with its benefits, including high rewards rates and a $300 annual travel credit.

It has a long list of travel perks in addition to its TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credit (which can also be used for NEXUS). Those perks include no foreign transaction fees, complimentary airport lounge access, rental car status upgrades, and more than half a dozen different types of travel insurance and protection — more than you’ll find with just about any other credit card.

As a final bonus, this card has an elevated redemption opportunity. If you use your points to book travel through Chase Travel, you’ll get 50% more value for your points. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 instead of $600.

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

It’s easy to balk when you see the $695 annual fee of the The Platinum Card^® from American Express, but this card more than makes up for it with all of its perks. First, it has an impressive welcome offer. And while I wish it had a higher rewards rate in some other categories, you’ll earn a high amount of points on American Express Travel Bookings.

Where this card really shines is in its annual statement credits. Those include:

• Up to a $200 hotel credit
• Up to a $240 digital entertainment credit
• Up to a $155 Walmart+ credit
• Up to a $200 Uber Cash
• Up to a $200 airline fee credit
• Up to a $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue statement credits
• Up to a $199 CLEAR Plus credit
• Enrollment required for select benefits

Read our American Express Platinum Card review.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has some of our favorite travel perks on the market. This card has high bonus category rewards rates, not to mention one of the highest non-bonus category rewards rate we’ve seen.

This card really shines for its travel perks, including a $300 annual travel credit through Capital One Travel, complimentary lounge access, luxury rental credit, Lifestyle Collection experience credit, Hertz President's Circle status, auto rental collision coverage, and more.¹ <p class="">For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.<br></p> ² <p class="">Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply<br></p>

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card

The Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card is a great option if you want the benefit of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credits but don’t want to pay a high annual fee. While the perks aren’t as big as some of the other cards we’ve talked about, they more than pay for the annual fee.

For example, you’ll get $200 in annual travel statement credits, $100 of which can pay for airline incidental costs. It also comes with certain travel insurances to ensure you’re protected on your trip.

Read our Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card review.

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

If you’re a die-hard Delta customer, then the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card could be a good option for you. Though this card has a high annual fee, it has plenty of perks to make up for it, starting with its generous welcome offer and variety of bonus rewards categories.

This card has a few Delta-specific perks, including your first checked bag free on Delta flights, a $150 annual Delta Stays credit, $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars to get you closer to Status, $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for each $20 you spend on your card, and 15% off Award Travel with Delta flights, just to name a few.

An especially attractive perk is the annual companion certificate, which you can use on main cabin flights to domestic locations, the Caribbean, or Central America.

Read our Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card review.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude^® Connect Visa Signature^® Card is one of just a handful of cards that offers a TSA PreCheck and Global Entry without charging an annual fee. That means that your TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, along with the card’s other perks, are entirely free.

While it has a relatively low welcome offer, the card has impressive bonus categories and rewards rates. On top of that, it has a 0% intro APR for 12 billing cycles on balance transfers (then 17.49% to 28.49% (Variable)), so you could use it to help you pay off debt.

Read our U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature review.

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck is a program 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.

This program allows you to go through an expedited security lane at the airport. You won’t need to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belt, or light jacket. While it requires an interview and a fee to sign up, it's good for five years and allows you to bring your children through the TSA PreCheck line with you.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait 10 minutes or less when going through security.

What is Global Entry?

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

Global Entry membership costs a little bit more at $120 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.

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.

How to pick the right card for complimentary TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

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

FAQs

Bottom line

If you love to travel and want to avoid long airport security lines, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry can be the game-changer membership you need. With expedited screening and the ability to skip time-consuming procedures, these programs offer a smoother airport experience.

The best part is that many travel rewards credit cards provide complimentary TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership as a benefit. This includes cards such as the Bank of America^® Premium Rewards^® credit card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and Chase Sapphire Reserve^®.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card

Benefits

Card Details

• $0 annual fee
• Simple, flat-rate rewards
• Flexible redemption options
• Up to 75% preferred Rewards bonus potential
• Apply Now

• Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
• 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
• Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
• Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.49% - 28.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

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FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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on Bank of America’s secure website

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Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

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Why we like it

• The Bank of America^® Travel Rewards credit card is great for individuals who enjoy earning rewards and traveling.

• Cardholders will enjoy the flexibility to redeem points with no blackout dates and receive a statement credit to pay for travel and dining purchases.

• Earn 1.5X points on all purchases everywhere, every time.

• Apply Now