Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck of May 2024
Getting through airport security isn’t anyone’s idea of fun — which is why the best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are so valuable. Whether queuing up for security on a short domestic flight or waiting in long lines at passport control upon return from an international getaway, the delays can be agonizing. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize these hassles at airports — including programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. While these programs charge fees to join, many credit cards cover the membership cost.
At TPG, we know how important it is to have the right cards in your wallet, which is why our team of travel experts created this list of the best credit cards from our partners for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck to simplify your travel experiences.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for luxury travelers
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for beginner travelers
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for travel perks
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full review of the Amex Platinum card.
Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. (Enrollment required.)
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
- $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
When it comes to simplicity and strong rewards, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid choice for most travelers. You’ll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase with no bonus categories to memorize, making it an ideal card for those with busy lives. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- This flexible rewards card delivers a solid sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles, valued by TPG at $1,388.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories.
- Rewards earned are versatile as they can be redeemed for any hotel or airline purchase for a statement credit or transferred to 15+ travel partners.
Cons
- Transfer ratios to most partners are mediocre at less than 1:1 ratio.
- Capital One airline partners do not include any large U.S. airlines.
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
| 10x | Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠. |
| 5x | Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠. |
| 3x | Earn 3x points on other travel and dining. |
| 1x | Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a $300 travel credit, generous points on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card. Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners.
- 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Chase Travel portal, 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining, 1 point per dollar on everything else
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Travel Portal
Cons
- Steep initial $550 annual fee.
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
| 10 Miles | 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 5 Miles | 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2 Miles | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
If you can maximize the $300 annual credit towards bookings through Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations) and lounge access and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
Cons
- $395 annual fee
- The up to $300 annual credit is only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Comparing the best credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at American Express's secure site | luxury travelers | Earn 80,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 5X points | $695 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | beginner travelers | Earn 75,000 miles Open Intro bonus New Venture cardholders can earn 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 2 - 5X miles | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Chase's secure site | Chase Ultimate Rewards | 75,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. | 1 - 10X points | $550 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | travel perks | Earn 75,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel | 2 - 10X miles | $395 |
More details on the best credit cards
The Platinum Card from American Express is one of the top premium travel rewards cards, offering valuable Membership Rewards points, up to $1,500 in annual statement credits (as long as you can take advantage of them) and access to an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide.
The card is as good as it gets for frequent travelers and luxury spenders who can take advantage of its bevy of benefits.
“As a frequent traveler, the Platinum Card's extensive lounge access makes the card a must-have on the road. I can access Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass lounges and others. More often than not, this means I have a place to relax before my flight. This has saved me thousands of dollars in airport food over the years and keeps me productive at the airport. On top of this, the $200 airline fee credit and $200 Uber Cash offset most of the card's high annual fee. Enrollment is required” — Andrew Kunesh, former points and miles editor
If you want a slightly lower annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual price tag but offers a $300 travel credit and some of the best travel protections available.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card blends a flat earning rate with high-value redemption options, all for a low $95 annual fee.
The card’s modest annual fee and solid return on everyday spending make this card great for beginner travelers and those new to the world of points and miles.
“The Capital One Venture is a great card that can add value to pretty much anyone's wallet. I use it to earn 2 miles per dollar on the purchases that fall outside of my other cards' bonus categories. The annual fee is low, Capital One miles are easy to redeem and the card does come with a few nice perks — including TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee reimbursement.” — Madison Blancaflor, senior content operations editor
If you want more perks, the premium Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides lounge access, a number of free authorized users (see rates and fees) and up to $300 in credits annually for bookings made through Capital One Travel.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to hotel and airline partners or redeemed directly for flights at a rate of 1.5 cents per point. Add in a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access and a litany of other perks, and this card is sure to upgrade your travel lifestyle.
The Sapphire Reserve is great for frequent travelers who spend a lot on dining and travel, plus those who can take advantage of perks like the complimentary one year DoorDash DashPass subscription (activate by December 31, 2024).
“The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a no-brainer for me. My top two spending categories are travel and dining, and this card lets me earn 3 points per dollar in both of these categories. Then, I can transfer these points to one of Chase’s travel partners or redeem them for a generous 1.5 cents apiece through the Chase travel portal or Pay Yourself Back program. The card has a high annual fee, but I don't mind paying it thanks to perks like a $300 travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access and impressive travel protections.” — Benji Stawski, former senior reporter
If you want premium rewards for a lower annual fee, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers access to Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One lounges but has a lower price tag of $395 per year (see rates and fees). You’ll also enjoy insurance protections and earn a minimum of 2 miles per dollar on all purchases, plus get up to $300 in credits each year for bookings through Capital One Travel.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best premium rewards cards, with valuable earning rates and plentiful perks that are easy to understand. Plus, the up-to-$300 in annual credits make up for most of the annual fee.
With its reasonable $395 annual fee, the card is nearly a no-brainer for luxury-seeking travelers who can make the most of its travel benefits.
“With an annual fee that is $300 less than that of The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees), the Capital One Venture X card is my favorite travel credit card. The card comes with an annual $300 Capital One Travel portal credit, which I use to book flights. That effectively brings the annual fee down to $95 per year. Cardholders enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership. Authorized users enjoy their own Priority Pass Select membership and Hertz President's Circle status. I use my Venture X card to earn 2 miles per dollar (a 3.7% return at TPG's valuations) in spending categories where most cards would only accrue 1 mile (e.g., auto maintenance, pharmacies, medical bills).” — Kyle Olsen, former points and miles reporter
Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. 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.
If you want even more luxury travel benefits and don’t mind a hefty annual fee, The Platinum Card® from American Express has a complicated assortment of perks, including at least 10 different built-in statement credits allotted in time frames ranging from monthly to every four years.
Maximizing Global Entry credit cards
Use Global Entry for TSA PreCheck
Most of the above cards offer a statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, but your best option is almost always Global Entry. That’s because it also includes TSA PreCheck, which means you can get through domestic security lines much faster thanks to not having to remove your shoes and belts when preparing to board a flight.
Even if you’re not a frequent international traveler, Global Entry can come in handy when getting back into the U.S. — and when you’re taking a short, domestic flight, expedited screening means you have more time to spend in a lounge, whether it’s to decompress or simply enjoy a meal before takeoff.
Apply for a Global Entry credit card early
If you don’t currently have a credit card that comes with a statement credit for Global Entry membership, give yourself enough time to apply for one in order to utilize the benefit. Even if you’re approved immediately, it can take up to two weeks for your new card to arrive (though some are much faster). Then, once you start the Global Entry application process, it can take weeks to be approved — and months to schedule an appointment for your in-person Global Entry interview before you can actually start using the program.
In other words, don’t expect to have access to expedited screening and customs immediately.
Stack your Global Entry perk with other rewards
The great thing about credit cards that offer Global Entry is that they also usually offer tons of other valuable travel — and non-travel — perks. In addition to great welcome offers, several Global Entry credit cards also provide cardholders with travel protections and generous rewards on things like travel purchases, meals out and groceries. This means you earn rewards like transferable points or airline miles every time you use your credit card.
How we rate cards
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a government service that provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international travelers. It costs $100 for a five-year membership.
What is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck is a government service that allows for expedited screening for flights that depart from the United States. It costs $78 for a five-year membership.
Should I get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck?
Global Entry members receive TSA PreCheck as a part of their membership, so if you travel internationally even a couple of times a year, it makes sense to get Global Entry and enjoy the perks of TSA PreCheck as well.
How to apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
How to apply for Global Entry
To apply for Global Entry, you first need to create an account with the federal government’s Trusted Traveler Program and apply online. A $100 nonrefundable fee is required with each application. From there, you’ll schedule an interview at a Global Entry enrollment center to be approved.
How to apply for TSA PreCheck
Applying for TSA PreCheck entails an online application, a short in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check, and a nonrefundable $78 fee to cover the cost of background checks. Start your application through the Trusted Traveler Program website.
How to get TSA PreCheck and Global Entry for free with a credit card
You can get your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursed every four or five years when you pay for the membership with an eligible card. Note that you don’t need to be paying for your own membership; as long as the application fee is charged to the card and you haven’t already utilized the perk, the credit should automatically be applied to your next statement.
How to choose the best credit card for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
- All of the cards on this list feature an annual fee, ranging from $95 to $695. Generally, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits the card will offer (such as fully covered Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits). Consider what else you are looking to get out of your travel card and consider if the perks and benefits outweigh the cost of the annual fee.1Annual fee
- Our top picks for this list offer significant welcome bonuses. It is important to choose a card with a welcome bonus that you can earn with your current spending as welcome bonuses are a major part of a card’s value.2Welcome bonus
- Since the cards on this list are travel cards, they offer elevated earning rates for categories like flights, hotels and more. Choose a card that offers bonus categories that most align with your current spending.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What’s your favorite credit card for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck — and why?
Pros + cons of Global Entry credit cards
Pros
- Credit cards that include statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck can expedite your screening process when flying.
- Many cards that offer Global Entry and TSA PreCheck membership include various other perks.
- Most Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits reset every four or five years, just in time for your renewal fee.
- Most of these cards offer valuable welcome bonuses for new applicants.
Cons
- Most cards with Global Entry or PreCheck benefits carry hefty annual fees.
- If you spend beyond your means on a credit card, you’ll rack up huge interest charges.
- You may not fly enough to make Global Entry or TSA PreCheck worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Global Entry members receive TSA PreCheck as a part of their membership. That means that when you pay $100 for five years of Global Entry, you’ll also get PreCheck included.
TSA PreCheck is expedited security screening for flights departing from the United States, whereas Global Entry is expedited customs screening for travelers entering the U.S.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making it the lowest-annual-fee card that offers a Global Entry credit.
The Capital One Venture Rewards card offers up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, making it the lowest-annual-fee card that offers a TSA PreCheck credit.
A Global Entry membership lasts five years. It expires on your birthday in the fifth year. To keep using it, you must renew it before the expiration date noted on your card.
A TSA PreCheck membership lasts five years. You’ll receive a notification six months before expiration. Make sure to renew so that there is no lapse in your membership.