Top Credit Cards with Free Global Entry & TSA PreCheck [2023]

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These days, credit cards come with a wide variety of perks and benefits. If you’re a frequent traveler, then it’s worth looking into some of the top credit cards that pay for Global Entry.

Read on to discover the top credit cards with TSA Precheck or Global Entry benefits. We’ll break down the difference between the two programs, as well as programs like Clear and Nexus, and explain how to get Global Entry for free by selecting the right credit card.

Top Credit Cards that Cover Global Entry Fees

Credit Card	Annual Fee	Welcome Bonus	TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Benefits
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	$95	Earn 75,000 bonus miles if you make at least $4,000 worth of purchases within the first 3 months	Up to $100 in statement credits every 4 years to cover either TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	$395	Earn 75,000 bonus miles if you make at least $4,000 worth of purchases within the first 3 months	Up to $100 in statement credits every 4 years to cover either TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees
Capital One Spark Miles for Business	$0 intro fee for the first year, then $95 per year	Earn 50,000 bonus miles if you make at least $4,500 worth of purchases within the first 3 months	Up to $100 in statement credits every 4 years to cover either TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees
The Platinum Card® from American Express	$695	Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points when you make at least $8,000 worth of purchases within the first 6 months	Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years for the Global Entry application fee (free access to TSA PreCheck if approved), plus up to $189 CLEAR® Plus Credits each year
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card	$250	Earn at least 60,000 bonus miles if you make at least $4,000 worth of purchases within the first 3 months	Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years for the Global Entry application fee (free access to TSA PreCheck if approved)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	$550, plus an additional $75 per authorized user	Earn 60,000 bonus points if you make at least $4,000 worth of purchases within the first 3 months	$100 statement credit every 4 years to cover either TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®	$99	Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles when you spend at least$5,000 within the first 3 months	$100 statement credit every 4 years to cover either TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

If you’re looking for a straightforward travel credit card with plenty of rewards flexibility, then check out the Venture Rewards Card by Capital One. Available for a $95 annual fee and 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR, the card offers users the chance to earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase.

You’ll also earn 5 miles per dollar when you use your card to book rental cars or hotels via Capital One Travel. Best of all, your rewards miles can be redeemed for flights on any airline or for travel-related purchases like hotel or rental car bookings.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

For frequent travelers, Capital One’s Venture X Rewards Card may offer one of the best values on the market. Available for a $395 annual fee and with a 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR, the Venture X Rewards card offers the chance to earn an unlimited 10x the miles when you book hotels or car rentals through Capital One Travel.

You’ll also earn 5x the miles on any flights you book via Capital One Travel, as well as an unlimited 2x the miles on all other purchases. Customers also enjoy a nice selection of premium perks like unlimited lounge access, 10,000 bonus miles on each anniversary, and more.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Capital One also offers a great option for business travelers with their Spark Miles for Business Card. Enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year (then a $95 annual fee) and a 26.24% variable APR.

The card offers an unlimited 2x the miles on every business purchase and 5x the miles on every hotel or rental car you book through Capital One Travel. Redeem your miles for hotels, flights, or other travel-related options, or transfer them to your choice of over 15 travel partners.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Among the most renowned premium travel cards on the market, the American Express Platinum card comes with a $695 annual fee and a 21.24% - 29.24% variable Pay Over Time APR. But for frequent travelers, the card offers plenty of great benefits to offset the pricey annual fee. (See Rates & Fees)

You’ll earn 5x the points on up to $500,000 worth of flights booked through Amex Travel or directly through airlines each year. You can also earn 5x the points when you book eligible hotels through Amex Travel, as well as 1x the points on all other eligible purchases.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

If you frequently fly with Delta on business, then the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card may be a great choice for you. Available for a $250 annual fee and a 20.99% - 29.99% variable APR, the card includes perks such as 15% off Award Travel flights you book through Delta.com or the Delta app. (See Rates & Fee)

You can also earn 3x the miles on Delta purchases and eligible hotel purchases, as well as 1.5x the miles on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $50k per year). You’ll also earn 1x the miles on all other eligible purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase’s Sapphire Reserve card also tops our list of the best premium travel cards currently available. Available for a $550 annual fee and at a 22.49% - 29.49% variable APR, the card offers a generous $300 worth of statement credits each anniversary year.

When you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you’ll earn 10x the points on hotels and car rentals and 5x the points on flights. You’ll also earn 3x the points on travel and dining purchases and 1x the points per dollar on all other purchases.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Last but not least, there’s Citi’s AAdvantage® Executive World Elite, which may be a solid choice for American Airlines flyers. With a $99 annual fee and a 20.99% - 29.99% variable APR, the card offers 2 miles for each dollar you spend on eligible American Airlines purchases.

Earn 1x the miles on all other purchases and be sure to check out all of the card’s travel perks. You’ll enjoy free Admirals Club® Membership, free first bag checks, and more.

Understanding Global Entry

While it’s nice to know that you can get free Global Entry perks with certain credit cards, it doesn’t mean much unless you understand what benefits the program offers! It’s also helpful to understand the difference between Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, as many credit cards allow you the option to use your free credit for one or the other.

In short, both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are Trusted Traveler Programs offered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Both offer expedited screening benefits designed to help you get through security faster.

The main difference between the two programs is that Global Entry is designed to offer faster U.S. Customs screening benefits for travelers entering the United States from international countries. TSA PreCheck, on the other hand, offers similar benefits for travelers boarding departing flights from airports in the U.S.

Before you continue reading, If you have high credit card balances and are looking for debt relief, make sure you read our post about Government help programs for credit card debt.

Is the Known Traveler Number the same as Global Entry?

Yes, when you are asked for your Known Traveler Number during the booking process, you'll find that it's the same as your Global Entry number. This makes it much easier to locate and use.

Does Global Entry qualify as a Real ID?

Global Entry is an incredibly convenient program that expedites your entry into the United States and other international countries. It cuts out the need for paperwork, processing lines, and Customs wait times, making it a real ID in terms of travel efficiency.

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: Which should you choose?

If you are unsure of which to choose, the good news is that approval for Global Entry membership also grants you access to TSA PreCheck benefits at no additional charge. This makes Global Entry the best choice if you frequently fly both internationally and domestically.

Is It Worth Investing in Global Entry?

Considering the benefits of expedited entry at major airports in the United States and abroad, Global Entry is certainly worth it for frequent travelers. It not only saves time but also provides a seamless travel experience.

Comparing Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, CLEAR® Plus, and NEXUS

In addition to application coverage for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, some premium travel credit cards also offer credits for programs such as CLEAR® Plus, or NEXUS. Let’s take a closer look at the latter two programs and what they offer.

What is CLEAR® Plus?

CLEAR Plus is an annual membership program designed to help travelers breeze through security lines at major U.S. Airports. When you arrive at the airport, a CLEAR ambassador will usher you to a CLEAR pod, where you can scan your boarding pass and confirm your ID using biometric technology such as eye or fingerprint scans.

Once your ID has been confirmed, your ambassador will take you straight to the front of the line for the usual physical screenings.

What Is NEXUS?

If you frequently travel between the U.S. and Canada, then NEXUS may be the program for you. The program is duly run by both countries and includes expedited entry between the two by land, air, or even sea.

NEXUS may also include both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck airline benefits, as well as shorter lines at the U.S./Canadian border when traveling by land. Just be aware that it can take longer to be approved for NEXUS because you’ll need to undergo interviews by both U.S. and Canadian border patrol officials.

Program	Expires Every:	Enrollment Fee	Avg. Processing Time
Global Entry	5 years	$100	4-6 months
TSA PreCheck	5 years	$78	Typically 3-5 days, but can take up to 60 days
CLEAR Plus	Year (1)	$189	A few minutes
NEXUS	5 years	$50	12-14 months

Advantages & Disadvantages

Program	Pros	Cons
Global Entry	• Includes TSA PreCheck benefits   • Expedited Mexican and Canadian land border crossing    • Faster processing at many international airports   • Works at all major U.S. airports	• Must have a valid passport to apply   • Required interview can take months to schedule
TSA PreCheck	• Nearly 90% of travelers get through security in 5 minutes or less No need to remove shoes, belts, laptops, etc.   • Accepted at over 200 airports and by over 85 airlines	• Only works for flights departing the U.S.    • As the program gains in popularity, so are the length of its special lines
CLEAR Plus	• Works at over 50 U.S. airports   • Great for jumping to the front of airport security lines   • Fast enrollment and approval	• Expires every year   • Pricier than government programs   • You still have to go through security screening
NEXUS	• The most cost-effective option   • Access to Global Entry airport kiosks   • Dedicated border lines for faster processing	• Can take longer to get approved due to duel interview requirements

How to Apply for Global Entry

Before you start the Global Entry application process, it’s important to make sure that you’re eligible. Eligibility is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., and citizens of a number of other countries, which are outlined on the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website.

When you’re ready to begin, you’ll need to create a Trusted Travelers Program account on the Homeland Security website. Select the Global Entry program and complete the online application.

Be aware that you’ll be required to pay a $100 Global Entry application fee, which you’ll want to make sure and cover with your credit card in order to receive a statement reimbursement. It’s also important to note that this fee is non-refundable, even if your application is not approved.

If your application is approved, you’ll be notified through your TTP account and instructed to schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center near you. Make sure you print your passport for the interview, along with at least one other valid form of ID, such as your driver’s license, to complete the process.

What to Expect During the Global Entry Interview

Rest assured that the in-person interview tends to be pretty painless. It’s mostly a chance for the officer to verify your information, take your photo and get your fingerprints on file.

They’ll usually also ask you a few questions about why you want to apply, your employment status, and whether you’ve ever had any issues with the law or border patrol. The whole process usually doesn’t take more than half an hour or less.

How Do Credit Cards Handle Refunds for The TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee?

Credit cards manage refunds for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee by providing a statement credit, typically within two billing cycles of the application fee payment made with the card. This benefit is usually available once every 4 or 4.5 years, in line with the five-year membership term of both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck.

It's important to remember that while a few premium cards may offer this benefit to authorized users, most cards require the primary cardholder to avail of the Trusted Traveler benefit. Be sure to consult your card policy for precise details on credit eligibility.

Conclusion

If you’re a frequent traveler, then taking the time to check out the perks various credit cards have to offer can definitely pay off. From free Global Entry or TSA PreCheck to lounge access and travel rewards, finding the right card for you can save you hundreds on travel expenses each year.

For Rates & Fees of:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express Click Here
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card 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

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