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The Best Credit Cards for Free Global Entry
If you're a frequent international traveler, Global Entry and TSA Precheck can save you valuable time at the airport. Getting the perk for free with a credit card can save you money as well. Here are the best cards that offer reimbursement for Global Entry and TSA Precheck charges. You can see the full list of cards with the benefit at the bottom of the page.
| Credit card with Global Entry reimbursement benefit | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card | $0 intro for first year; $95 after that |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $450 |
| IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card | $89 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $550 (See Rates & Fees) |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card | $450 (See Rates & Fees) |
| United℠ Explorer Card | $0 Intro for First Year, then $95 |
Global Entry is a TSA-sponsored program that allows you to bypass long customs lines when entering the U.S. The program also includes TSA Precheck, which lets you breeze through security. Approval into the program, which is valid for five years, is contingent on a background check and in-person interview. If you're interested in learning more about the Global Entry application process, check out our guide on how to get Global Entry.
Top Cards with a Global Entry Credit
The best cards that provide a Global Entry credit are premium travel cards that also reward you for spending on dining and travel, spending with a specific airline (the United℠ Explorer Card), or staying at a particular hotel chain (e.g., IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card). Regardless of your credit card preference, signing up for Global Entry and TSA Precheck will make your experience at the airport significantly more pleasant.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Great Travel and Dining Rewards
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Named "Best Premium Travel Credit Card" for 2018 by MONEY® Magazine
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
- Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Named "Best Premium Travel Credit Card" for 2018 by MONEY® Magazine
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
- Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
Our Thoughts
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the most versatile and rewarding credit card that comes with a Global Entry reimbursement. This card is often heralded as the best travel rewards card with good reason: in addition to the $100 Global Entry credit, it comes with a $300 annual travel credit, earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining and travel (after using the travel credit) and comes with a free Priority Pass membership.
Like most of the other cards on this list, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides a $100 credit that can be applied once every four years. It can be used on either Global Entry, which costs the full $100, or TSA Precheck, which costs $85.
How the benefit works: Once you charge the Global Entry purchase to your Chase Sapphire Reserve®, a credit for the $100 application fee will appear on your statement within 24 hours.
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card: Excellent for Everyday Spending
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Plus earn 10X miles on thousands of hotels, through January 2020; learn more at hotels.com/venture
- Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Note: The information in this box was provided by Capital One and is not part of our independent analysis.
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $500 in travel
- Earn 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Plus earn 10X miles on thousands of hotels, through January 2020; learn more at hotels.com/venture
- Named ‘The Best Travel Card' by CNBC, 2018
- Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
- Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime; no blackout dates. Plus transfer your miles to over 12 leading travel loyalty programs
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- No foreign transaction fees
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Our Thoughts
The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is a great choice for global travelers who have a lower spending profile or who don't want to shell out $500 in credit card fees. Compared to the other cards on this list, the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card has better general spending rewards and decently competitive welcome bonus: 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases and 50,000 miles if you spend $3,000 within three months of opening the account.
The Global Entry and TSA Precheck benefit on the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card is similar to what is offered by the other cards on the list: an $85 or $100 fee reimbursement once every four years.
How the benefit works: Submit your Global Entry application and charge the $100 fee to your Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card. Within two statement cycles, a credit for the purchase will appear on your statement.
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card: Free Hotel Stays and Elite Status
IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
- Enjoy a Free Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a free reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG Rewards Club Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
- Enjoy a Free Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a free reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG Rewards Club Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
Our Thoughts
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card gives up to a $100 fee credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry once every four years. If you're a frequent traveler who stays at IHG properties when on the road, the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is a decent choice for getting free Global Entry.
You'll be rewarded more for general spending and non-IHG travel expenses by other cards on this list, like the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. However, the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card can earn you free hotel stays and Platinum Elite IHG status, which is great for travelers who frequently stay at InterContinental hotels and other IHG properties.
How the benefit works: Charge the Global Entry application fee to the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. A statement credit will appear on your account within 24 hours of the purchase being charged to the credit card.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Luxury Perks for High Spenders
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
- Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
- Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
- Receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts. Learn More.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
- Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
- 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
- Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
- Receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts. Learn More.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
- $550 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Our Thoughts
For those who have substantial travel expenses, The Platinum Card® from American Express is the best card that comes with a Global Entry credit. The card has an industry-leading $550 annual fee, but it also has the highest rewards rate on flights and hotel spending if you book through the American Express travel portal. You'll also have access to Amex's Global Lounge Collection at airports across the world.
It's important to note that this card is only worth it for luxury-seeking travelers who fly frequently and spend liberally. If you're looking to get a card with a Global Entry credit and don't care about luxury perks, there are cheaper options on our best picks list, like the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card and the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card. There are even some no-annual-fee options on the full list below.
How the benefit works: Pay for the $100 Global Entry application fee with your The Platinum Card® from American Express. A statement credit will appear on your account within eight weeks of the purchase date.
For rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card: Competitive Rewards on a Premium Hotel Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- 6X points on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide
- 3X points on U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other purchases
- Get up to $100 in property credit per stay when you use your Card and a special rate code to book stays of two or more nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties
- $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
- Annual free night award (redemption level at or under 50,000 points) at participating hotels every year after your Card account anniversary
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
- 6X points on purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide
- 3X points on U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines
- 2X points on all other purchases
- Get up to $100 in property credit per stay when you use your Card and a special rate code to book stays of two or more nights at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties
- $300 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy properties
- Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
- Annual free night award (redemption level at or under 50,000 points) at participating hotels every year after your Card account anniversary
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Our Thoughts
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card is a solid premium card for travelers who frequently stay at Starwood or Marriott properties. In addition to the $100 Global Entry application fee credit, the card will also get you a $300 Starwood Preferred Guest/Marriott hotel credit and a free annual hotel stay.
Unlike the other co-branded hotel card on this list, like the IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card has competitive spending rewards on travel and dining. If you're looking for other travel perks in addition to free Global Entry, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card should be on your short list.
How the benefit works: After paying your Global Entry application fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, a statement credit will post to your account within eight weeks. Amex takes a bit longer to post statement credits in order to confirm that transaction data is reliable.
United℠ Explorer Card: A Solid Co-Branded Airline Card
United℠ Explorer Card
- 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and on hotel stays
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit
- 25% back on United inflight purchases
- Check your first bag for free (a savings of up to $120 per roundtrip) when you use your Card to purchase your ticket
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and on hotel stays
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit
- 25% back on United inflight purchases
- Check your first bag for free (a savings of up to $120 per roundtrip) when you use your Card to purchase your ticket
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on purchases from United, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Our Thoughts
If you're a loyal United customer, or if you tend to take international flights on one of the airline's Star Alliance partners, the United℠ Explorer Card is a good choice if you want to get reimbursed for Global Entry. Every dollar spent with United will get you 2 miles, which can be redeemed for flights on Star Alliance carriers, including Air China, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines.
If you're not a United loyalist or frequent Star Alliance traveler, one of the general rewards cards on this list will better suit your Global Entry reimbursement and other travel needs.
How the benefit works: Use your United℠ Explorer Card to pay for your Global Entry application. A $100 statement credit will be posted to your account within 24 hours.
Full List of Credit Cards with Free Global Entry
The cards listed above are the best overall credit cards that also have a Global Entry credit. However, there are other cards that offer the Global Entry and TSA Precheck benefit that might work better for your travel needs and spending habits. Each card offers the benefit once every four to five years. Here's the list of all the widely available cards that we came across in our search.
| Card | Benefit |
|---|---|
| AAdvantage® Aviator™ Silver World Elite Mastercard® | Every 5 years |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Every 4 years |
| Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® | Every 5 years |
| The Business Platinum® Card from American Express | Every 4 years |
| Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card | Every 4 years |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Every 4 years |
| Citi Prestige® Card | Every 5 years |
| Expedia®+ Voyager Card from Citi | Every year |
| IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card | Every 4 years |
| Mastercard® Gold Card™ | Every 4 years |
| PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express Card | Every year |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Every 4 years |
| Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card | Every 4 years |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card | Every 4 years |
| United℠ Explorer Business Card | Every 4 years |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve | Every 4 years |
| U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card | Every 5 years |
* See the online credit card application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button, you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the issuer's website.
Info about the following cards: American Express® Gold Card, Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express, Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card, Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express, Hilton Honors Surpass® Credit Card, American Express® Blue Sky, American Express® Green Card, The Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card from American Express, The Plenti® Credit Card from Amex, Blue from American Express®, Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz, Bluebird, Centurion® Card from American Express, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, and Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card has been collected independently by ValuePenguin. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.
Disclaimer: This content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuer. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through the credit card issuer Affiliate Program.
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How We Calculate Rewards: ValuePenguin calculates the value of rewards by estimating the dollar value of any points, miles or bonuses earned using the card less any associated annual fees. These estimates here are ValuePenguin's alone, not those of the card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer.