Credit Cards That Cover TSA PreCheck & Global Entry (2026 Updated)

You know that feeling when you’re stuck in a 45-minute security line, watching PreCheck members breeze through in three minutes? Yeah. That’s the exact moment most people decide to finally get TSA PreCheck.

Here’s the thing though — you shouldn’t pay for it yourself. Not when dozens of credit cards will reimburse the entire fee. Some of them are cards you might already have in your wallet.

What’s the Difference? TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR

Before we get to the cards, quick breakdown:

TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years)

Keep shoes, belt, light jacket on
Laptop stays in bag
Domestic flights only
Fastest approval (usually 1-2 weeks)

Global Entry ($100 for 5 years)

Everything PreCheck offers, PLUS
Skip customs lines when returning to the US internationally
Use the kiosk instead of waiting for an officer
Requires in-person interview

CLEAR ($189/year)

Biometric screening (eyes/fingerprints)
Skip to the FRONT of PreCheck/regular lines
Not a government program
Works at stadiums and venues too

My take? Global Entry is the obvious choice if you travel internationally even once a year. You get PreCheck included, and that customs skip when landing back in the US after a 10-hour flight is worth every penny. CLEAR is more niche — nice to have, but not essential.

The Best Cards for TSA PreCheck & Global Entry Credits

Not all cards handle this the same way. Some reimburse up to $100 (perfect for Global Entry), others cap at $85, and a few cover even CLEAR memberships. Here’s the real breakdown:

Premium Cards (Global Entry + CLEAR Coverage)

Card	Annual Fee	GE/PreCheck Credit	CLEAR Credit	Notes
Amex Platinum	$895	$100 every 4 years	$199/year	Best overall coverage
Chase Sapphire Reserve	$550	$100 every 4 years	❌	Great all-around travel card
Capital One Venture X	$395	$100 every 4 years	❌	Lowest fee for this tier
Amex Business Platinum	$895	$100 every 4 years	$199/year	Same as personal Platinum

Mid-Tier Cards (Global Entry Coverage)

Card	Annual Fee	GE/PreCheck Credit	Other Perks
Capital One Venture	$95	$100 every 4 years	2x miles everything
Citi Premier	$95	$100 every 4 years	3x on travel, dining, grocery
Chase Sapphire Preferred	$95	❌	No GE credit
US Bank Altitude Reserve	$400	$100 every 4 years	3x mobile wallet

Wait, the Sapphire Preferred doesn’t include this? Nope. Big miss from Chase, honestly. The Reserve has it, the Preferred doesn’t. One of those weird gaps that trips people up.

Airline Cards Worth Considering

Card	Annual Fee	GE/PreCheck Credit	Why It Matters
United Club Infinite	$525	$100 every 4 years	Club access + fee credits
Delta Reserve	$650	$100 every 4 years	Companion certificate
AA Executive	$595	$100 every 4 years	Admirals Club access
Southwest Priority	$149	❌	No GE credit

The airline cards make sense if you’re loyal to one carrier. Otherwise, the flexible point cards above are better value. Check out our best airline credit cards guide for more options.

How the Credit Actually Works

This confuses a lot of people, so let me break it down:

Pay for Global Entry yourself — on the card’s website or at enrollment
Use the right card — charge the fee to a card with the credit
Get reimbursed automatically — statement credit appears within 1-2 billing cycles
Wait 4-5 years — most credits reset every 4 years, matching membership length

You don’t need to activate anything. No promo codes. Just pay with the right card and the credit posts automatically. I’ve done this three times now across different cards and it’s never been an issue.

One catch: the credit is usually once per CARD, not per membership. So if you have both the personal and business Platinum, you could technically get two credits — useful for covering a partner’s membership.

The Strategy Nobody Talks About

Here’s what’s actually smart:

If you don’t have a premium card yet: Apply for the Capital One Venture X. It’s $395/year, gives you the $100 GE credit immediately, has $300 in travel portal credits that basically pay for itself, and you get 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary. The math works out to essentially free.

If you already have a card with the credit: Check when you last used it. The 4-year clock resets when you claim the credit, not when your membership expires. So if your Global Entry renewal is coming up, double-check that your credit has reset.

If you’re getting GE for family members: You can pay for someone else’s membership using your card. The credit still triggers. I did this for my fiancée — paid her GE fee on my Sapphire Reserve, got the reimbursement, done. Planning to apply for a new card? Check our credit card application strategy guide first.

TSA PreCheck Only? Here’s When That Makes Sense

Global Entry is better value, but there ARE reasons to get PreCheck alone:

Interview availability — Global Entry requires an in-person interview at an enrollment center. Some locations are backed up for months. PreCheck can often be done at airports with shorter waits.
Faster approval — PreCheck enrollment takes 1-2 weeks. Global Entry can take 2-3 months with the interview scheduling.
You never fly internationally — If you genuinely don’t leave the country, no reason to pay the extra $22.
You have a record — Global Entry has stricter eligibility. Even minor customs issues can disqualify you. PreCheck is more lenient.

The $78 PreCheck fee is covered by all the same cards listed above since it’s under the $100 cap.

What About CLEAR?

CLEAR is different. It’s not a government program — it’s a private company that uses biometric verification to confirm your identity faster. For a full breakdown of airport perks, see our airport lounge access guide.

Here’s the honest take: CLEAR + PreCheck together is incredibly fast. You skip the ID check entirely and go straight to the physical screening lane. At busy airports like LAX, JFK, or ATL, this combo saves real time.

But at $189/year, it’s harder to justify unless you’re flying constantly. That’s why the Amex Platinum’s CLEAR credit is valuable — it makes CLEAR essentially free if you have the card anyway.

Cards covering CLEAR:

Amex Platinum ($199 credit = full coverage)
Amex Business Platinum ($199 credit)
Delta Reserve (CLEAR Plus family membership included)

Don’t Forget Your REAL ID

Speaking of airport readiness — REAL ID is now required for all domestic flights. If your driver’s license doesn’t have the gold or black star, you’ll need to upgrade before your next trip. Quick workaround: a passport or Global Entry card works as an alternative ID (another reason GE is worth it).

The Enrollment Process (Step by Step)

For Global Entry:

Create a Trusted Traveler Programs account at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
Fill out the application (~15 minutes)
Pay the $100 fee — use your eligible credit card here
Get conditionally approved (usually 2-4 weeks)
Schedule in-person interview at an enrollment center
Complete interview (5 minutes if you’re prepared)
Receive your Known Traveler Number

Pro tip: Many airports offer “Enrollment on Arrival” — if you’re returning from an international trip, you can complete your interview right then at customs instead of scheduling separately. Way faster.

For TSA PreCheck:

Go to tsa.gov/precheck
Complete online application
Pay $78 fee — use your eligible card
Schedule in-person appointment (often same-day availability)
Complete 10-minute appointment
Receive KTN within days

My Recommendation

For most travelers, here’s what I’d do:

Get the Capital One Venture X or Amex Platinum if you don’t have a premium card with this credit
Apply for Global Entry (not just PreCheck) for the international benefits
Add family members by paying their fees on your card too
Use Enrollment on Arrival if you’re traveling internationally soon anyway
Set a calendar reminder for 4 years out to renew

The upfront work takes maybe 30 minutes total online plus a quick interview. Then you’re set for 5 years of better airport experiences.

Quick Answers

Can I get the credit if I already paid for GE? Only if you paid with an eligible card. You can’t retroactively claim a credit for a charge on a different card.

Does the credit work for renewals? Yes. Same process — pay the renewal with the right card, get reimbursed.

What if I’m denied for Global Entry? You can still get TSA PreCheck instead. The credit works for either program.

Can I use my Global Entry card at Canadian airports? Yep. NEXUS is actually even better if you travel to Canada frequently — it includes both Global Entry AND TSA PreCheck for $50. Though card credits don’t always cover NEXUS (some do, some don’t).

How do I add my KTN to my bookings? Enter it in your airline loyalty program profile, or add it when booking directly. It’ll automatically appear on your boarding passes.

Look, there’s no reason to pay for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry out of pocket. Too many cards reimburse the fee automatically. Pick up one of the cards above, get enrolled, and enjoy the shorter lines. That’s it.