Get reimbursed for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee with these credit cards

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Even if you only fly a few times a year, the hassle of waiting in airport security or customs lines is enough to justify signing up for TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry. These two U.S. government programs are designed to minimize the time spent waiting in queues, which is a pretty nice travel perk.

These programs aren't free, but some travel credit cards will reimburse your application fees. The Global Entry application fee is normally $100 ($120 starting Oct. 1, 2024) and TSA PreCheck costs at least $78. Global Entry is more expensive, but it includes TSA PreCheck benefits. Once you're approved, these memberships are valid for five years.

If you're considering applying for these trusted traveler programs, CNBC Select has rounded up the top travel credit cards that offer Global Entry and/or TSA PreCheck credit.

Who's this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a large array of benefits, many of which are also available to authorized users.

Standout benefits: Most credit cards with a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit only reimburse a single cardholder per account. However, with the American Express Platinum Card, you can add The Companion Platinum Card members for no additional fee (see rates and fees) and each cardholder gets their own Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit.

[ Jump to more details ]

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers no shortage of travel benefits and rewards.

Standout benefits: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns versatile Capital One miles. You'll earn 5X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles per dollar spent on all other spending. These rewards can be used to offset travel expenses or transferred to a large number of partner airline and hotel loyalty programs.

[ Jump to more details ]

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers a competitive rewards program and luxury perks.

Standout benefits: In addition to rewards and up to $100 in statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, cardholders also receive airport lounge access. You'll have access to over 1,300 Priority Pass airport lounges, as well as Capital One and Plaza Premium lounges (enrollment required). This benefit extends to authorized users you add to your account. You can add up to four authorized users for no additional fee and they each can enroll in their own Priority Pass membership.

[ Jump to more details ]

Who's this for? Chase Sapphire Reserve® is enormously popular among travelers for its luxe perks and strong rewards program.

Standout benefits: Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive up to $300 in travel credit annually. This simple benefit can offset more than half of this card's annual fee. You'll also receive 3X points on dining, including takeout and delivery and 10X points on Chase Dining purchases. Additionally, Chase will be raising the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement from up to $100 to up to $120 starting Oct. 1, 2024, to match the upcoming fee increase.

[ Jump to more details ]

Who's this for? The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a great choice for people who have a qualifying relationship with the bank because you can earn increased rewards.

Standout benefits: All cardholders earn 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. However, Preferred Rewards members earn 25% to 75% more points on every purchase, depending on the balance in your Bank of America® banking and/or eligible Merrill accounts. If you qualify for the highest tier — Platinum Honors, which requires a minimum $100,000 three-month average combined balance — you could earn up to 3.5 points for every $1 you spend on travel and dining purchases and up to 2.62 points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.

[ Jump to more details ]

Who's this for? If you want to save on your trusted traveler program application fees but hate paying annual fees, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is for you.

Standout benefits: Cardholders get up to $100 in statement credits toward their TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® membership and a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. However, starting Sept. 9, 2024, this card will have a $0 annual fee while keeping its Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.

[ Jump to more details ]

The Platinum Card from American Express is a premium card with robust benefits that are hard to match, including many annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access and elite status perks.

Rewards

• 5X points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
• 5X points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Annual fee

$695 (see rates and fees)

Notable perks

If you take advantage of every Amex Platinum statement credit offer, you can receive over $1,500 back every year. These credits include:

• Up to $200 annual hotel credit for eligible prepaid bookings through Fine Hotels and Resorts or The Hotel Collection
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $300 per calendar year Equinox credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (up to $50 back twice per year; enrollment required)
• Up to $189 credit to enroll in CLEAR® Plus (subject to auto-renewal)
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit (enrollment required)
• Up to $155 annual Walmart+ credit. (Plus Ups are not eligible. Subject to auto renewal)
• Airport lounge access, including Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
• Up to $200 annual Uber credit. Benefit renews annually. (Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to only the basic card member. Enrollment required)
• $100 fee credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSAPreCheck

You can also enroll to receive Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy (enrollment required), and you'll have access to rental car benefits with Avis, National and Hertz. On top of that, the card comes with comprehensive travel and shopping protections, as well as *cell phone protection. Terms apply.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

[ Return to card summary ]

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers convenient travel benefits for a reasonable annual fee.

Rewards

• 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

With the Capital One Venture Rewards card, you can get up to $100 back when you use the card to pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. You also won't pay any foreign transaction fees and can take advantage of travel and purchase insurance perks. These protections include extended warranty protection, travel accident insurance and rental car collision damage waiver.

[ Return to card summary ]

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits that help offset the cost.

Rewards

• 10X miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 5X miles per dollar on flights booked via Capital One Travel portal
• 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$395

Notable perks

Every four years, card members can receive up to $100 in statement credits for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. But this card's real value is available through other benefits. When you book eligible travel through Capital One Travel you'll receive up to $300 in credit every year. In addition, cardholders receive 10,000 bonus miles every card anniversary.

Cardholders (including up to four free authorized users) receive unlimited complimentary visits to Priority Pass airport lounges (enrollment required). This perk includes Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium airport lounges. When you pay for your monthly wireless phone bill with the card, you'll be covered by its cell phone protection for up to $800 per claim ($50 deductible).

[ Return to card summary ]

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has everything you could want in a premium travel card, including statement credit offers, airport lounge access and valuable insurance perks.

Rewards

• 10X total points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 10X points per dollar on Lyft purchases through March 2025
• 5X total points per dollar on flights purchased through Chase Travel℠*
• 3X points per dollar on other travel*
• 3X points per dollar on dining
• 1X points per dollar on all other purchases

*After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual fee

$550

Notable perks

This card's trusted traveler program application fee credit applies to Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit (once every four years), and as of Oct. 1, 2024, the credit is increasing to up to $120 to account for the increased Global Entry fee.

Card members also receive up to $300 in annual travel credit, which is easy to earn because it applies to any eligible travel you charge to the card regardless of what site you book through. You'll also have access to an array of ongoing and limited-time benefits such as:

• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• Two years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access membership (worth $199 a year) when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass membership when activated by Dec. 31, 2024
• $5 in DoorDash credit each month through Dec. 31, 2024

The card also has some of the best travel and purchase protections, such as primary rental car collision coverage, trip delay protection, trip interruption/cancellation insurance, baggage delay protection, travel accident insurance and more. It also has no foreign transaction fees.

[ Return to card summary ]

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a mid-tier travel card that's especially rewarding for eligible Bank of America customers.

Rewards

• 2X points on travel
• 2X points on dining
• 1.5X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

Cardholders can earn an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every four years. You can also receive up to $100 in airline statement credit every year. Eligible purchases are also covered by trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage insurance and emergency evacuation and transportation protection.

If you qualify for Bank of America's Preferred Rewards program, you can earn 25% to 75% more rewards on every purchase. That means you can earn up to 2.62X points on all purchases if you meet the requirements for the Platinum Honors Tier or higher.

[ Return to card summary ]

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is an amazingly affordable card with benefits typically only found on more premium cards.

Rewards

• 5X points for rental cars and prepaid hotels booked through the Altitude Rewards Center
• 4X points on travel
• 4X points at gas stations and EV charging stations through September 8, 2024, after that 4X on your first $1,000 each quarter (wholesale clubs and discount stores/supercenters excluded) 
• 2X points on dining
• 2X points on streaming services
• 2X points at grocery stores and on grocery delivery (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded effective September 9, 2024)
• 1X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 120 days from account opening.

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (effective Sept. 9, 2024, the annual fee will be $0)

Notable perks

Cardholders can get reimbursed up to $100 for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application. You'll also receive four free visits to Priority Pass airport lounges each year. Both of these benefits are more commonly associated with credit cards that have much higher annual fees.

The card also has a solid list of travel protections, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement and a travel accident benefit.

[ Return to card summary ]

Many travel credit cards reimburse your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, and you don't need to shell out a large annual fee to get this benefit. It's generally recommended that you apply for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck as it includes all PreCheck benefits and would still be covered by your card's credit.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credits.

To determine which cards offer the best benefits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued through FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions that are widely available in the U.S. We focused only on cards that offer application fee credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. 

We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back). 
 
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

For the cards that offered a rewards program, we considered consumer spending data forecasts from location intelligence firm Esri to determine where U.S. consumers are spending the most money, like on dining and travel. We used this to help determine what bonus categories are most useful for consumers. Since the value of a point or mile varies based on what they can be redeemed for, we also considered things like transferability and the ability to redeem for cash-back. 

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.