Although I’ve found Global Entry (which also includes TSA Precheck) well worth the $100 application fee, when I renewed my Global Entry I was able to get Global Entry for free.

It is easy to get Global Entry and TSA Precheck for free – including many credit and charge cards that will reimburse you for the cost of the Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee.

How to Get Global Entry or TSA Precheck for Free

how to get tsa precheck for free how to get global entry for free

Credit Cards that Reimburse Global Entry and TSA Precheck Fees

Several credit cards and charge cards provide a reimbursement of the Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees (the application fee for Global Entry is $100 and the fee for TSA Precheck is $85).  It is important to note that although NEXUS and SENTRI include TSA Precheck and Global Entry benefits, the fees for NEXUS or SENTRI are NOT reimbursed by these cards.

Below is the current list of all cards that will reimburse you for Global Entry and/or TSA Precheck fees:

•  Provident World+ Travel Visa Signature Card – $45 annual fee, waived the first year
•  HSBC Premier World Mastercard Credit Card  – $95 annual fee, waived for qualified Premier clients (TSA Pre only)
•  Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature Flagship Rewards – $49 annual fee but only available for members of the armed forces, veterans and their families
•  U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express® Card – $85 annual fee
•  IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card – $89 annual fee
•  SunTrust Travel Rewards Credit Card  – $89 annual fee (waived first year)
•  BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards Credit Card –  $89 (waived first year) –  Limited to $85 statement credit
•  Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card  –  $95 annual fee
•  Spark® Miles from Capital One –  $95 annual fee (waived first year)
•  Chase United Explorer Card – $95 annual fee (waived first year)
•  Bank of America® Premium Rewards Credit Card – $95 annual fee
•  Expedia® Rewards Voyager Card from Citi – $95 annual fee – Part of annual fee credit
•  Commerce Bank World Elite Mastercard – $95 annual fee (TSA PreCheck only)
•  Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card – $199 annual fee
•  United Quest Card – $250 annual fee
•  Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card – $250 annual fee
•  American Express Corporate Gold Card – $250 annual fee
•  HSBC Elite World Elite Mastercard Credit Card  – $395 annual fee PLUS $65 for each authorized user (waived for customers with a qualifying U.S. HSBC Jade or Private Bank relationship)
•  U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card  – $400 annual fee but exclusive to U.S. Bank customers
•  CNB Crystal Visa Infinite (Global Entry only) – $400 annual fee
•  Citi /AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard -$450 annual fee
•  Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card – $450 annual fee
•  SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card – $450 annual fee
•  Citi Prestige Card – $495 annual fee
•  UBS Visa Infinite  – $495 annual fee
•  Mastercard® Black Card -$495 annual fee (Global Entry only)
•  United Club Infinite Card – $525 annual fee
•  Chase Sapphire Reserve – $550 annual fee
•  Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card – $550 annual fee
•  Platinum Card from American Express – $550 annual fee
•  American Express Corporate Platinum Card – $550 annual fee
•  Business Platinum Card from American Express -$595 annual fee
•  Mastercard® Gold Card -$995 annual fee (Global Entry only)
•  Centurion Card from American Express – $5,000 annual fee plus one-time joining fee of $10,000 available by invitation only

The free Global Entry/TSA Pre benefit appears as a statement credit after that card is used to pay for the Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee.  The benefit, however, can only be used once every 4 to 5 years depending on the card and only for either Global Entry or TSA Precheck – not both.

If you have any of these cards, make sure you take advantage of the fee credit.  If you are considering applying for one of these cards, do so before applying for or renewing your Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check.  Most of these cards charge high annual fees so I would not get a card solely for the Global Entry or TSA Pre fee reimbursement. Some of these cards offer additional airline fee credits which may offset the high annual fee but it depends on whether those are of use to you personally.

More specific information regarding the reimbursement of Global Entry and TSA Precheck fees can be found in the terms and conditions for each card.

Redeeming Points and Miles for Free TSA Precheck

You can also redeem some of your points or miles for free TSA Precheck. Personally I would not use my miles/points for free TSA Precheck given that so many credit cards offer TSA Precheck reimbursement but if you have points in a travel loyalty program that you don’t need it is good to have the option.

• IHG Rewards: Redeem 30,000 points
Marriott Bonvoy: Redeem 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
• Radisson Rewards: Redeem 65,000 points
• Southwest Rapid Rewards: Redeem 10,000 Rapid Rewards points
United MileagePlus: Redeem 11,000 miles

More Ways to Get Free TSA Precheck

• Orbitz Rewards Platinum members have a choice to receive free TSA Precheck (but not free Global Entry) as one of their perks
Children 12 years old or younger get free TSA Precheck when traveling with a parent or guardian that has TSA Precheck but children do not get free Global Entry.

For more information on how to apply for Global Entry and TSA Precheck see related posts:
• Guide to Global Entry: Application and Interview Process
• How to Renew Global Entry
• How to Get TSA PreCheck
• TSA Precheck vs. Global Entry: Which Is Best For You?

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How to Get TSA Precheck and Global Entry for Free

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