Cards That Pay for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Several premium credit cards reimburse the full cost of Global Entry ($100 every five years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 every five years), but the card must be in your name and active when you submit your application. The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within 5 to 10 business days after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection or TSA processes your payment and the card issuer receives the merchant record.

The cards that currently offer this benefit fall into two groups: those covering Global Entry alone, and those covering either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck at your choice. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits automatically, so choosing Global Entry gives you both programs. The specific terms—whether you get one reimbursement per year, per card membership year, or per five-year cycle—vary by issuer and change without notice, so confirm the current terms on your card's benefits page before you pay.

Key Takeaways

  • The Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Platinum, and Citi Prestige all reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees, but you must use the card to pay and the card must be active at the time of purchase.
  • Global Entry costs $100 every five years and includes TSA PreCheck; TSA PreCheck alone costs $85 every five years, so choosing Global Entry gives you both programs for a higher upfront cost.
  • The reimbursement appears as a statement credit, not a refund to your bank account, and typically posts within 5 to 10 business days after the government processes your payment.
  • Reimbursement frequency varies by card—some cover one per year, others per card membership year, and some per five-year cycle—so check your card's current benefits guide before applying.
  • If your application is denied, the card issuer will not reimburse the fee, because the reimbursement is tied to a successful enrollment, not the application itself.

Chase Cards With Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Coverage

The Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once per calendar year. You pay the fee with the Reserve card, and the statement credit posts after the government agency processes your enrollment. The benefit resets on January 1 each year, so if you use it in December, you can use it again in January of the following year. This card carries a $550 annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred also covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, but the reimbursement is once per five-year benefit period, not once per year. This means you receive one $100 or $85 credit during the five years you hold the card, not annually. The Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee.

Both cards require the benefit to be active on your account at the time you make the purchase. If you close the card or downgrade to a different Chase product before the statement credit posts, the reimbursement may not appear. Confirm your card's current benefits page, because Chase updates these terms periodically.

American Express and Citi Cards With This Benefit

The American Express Platinum Card reimburses Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once per calendar year, similar to the Sapphire Reserve. The credit posts after Amex receives the merchant record from the government agency, typically within 5 to 10 business days. The Platinum Card carries a $695 annual fee and requires the card to be active when you submit payment.

The Citi Prestige covers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once per card membership year (the anniversary of when you opened the account), not per calendar year. The reimbursement is $100 or $85 depending on which program you choose. The Citi Prestige has a $495 annual fee.

Both cards require you to pay with that specific card. If you use a different payment method or a different card, you will not receive the reimbursement. Amex and Citi both update their benefits terms, so verify the current policy on your card's benefits page before you pay.

How the Reimbursement Process Works

When you apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck through the official government websites (globalentry.cbp.dhs.gov or tsa.gov/precheck), you enter your payment information at checkout. The charge appears on your credit card statement immediately, but the reimbursement credit does not post until after the government processes your enrollment and the card issuer receives the transaction record from the merchant.

The timeline is typically 5 to 10 business days, though it can take longer if the government's processing is delayed. During this time, you will see both the charge and the credit on your statement. The credit will show as a statement adjustment or reimbursement, not as a refund to your bank account. If the credit does not appear after two weeks, contact your card issuer's customer service with your application confirmation number and the date you paid.

The reimbursement is not automatic. You must initiate the application yourself and pay with the may be able to access card. The card issuer does not monitor your government accounts or apply for the program on your behalf. If you forget to use the correct card or use a different payment method, you will not receive the credit.

What Happens If Your Application Is Denied

If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection or TSA denies your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application, the card issuer will not reimburse the fee. The reimbursement benefit is contingent on successful enrollment, not on the application itself. You can appeal a denial through the government agency, but the card issuer's reimbursement does not cover denied applications.

Some card issuers allow you to request a one-time exception if you can document that the denial was due to an error or a misunderstanding. Contact your card issuer's customer service with your denial letter and ask whether they will make an exception. Most will not, but it is worth asking if the denial was clearly a mistake.

Timing Considerations for Annual Resets

If your card offers an annual reimbursement (like the Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum), the benefit resets on a specific date—usually January 1 for calendar-year cards or your card anniversary for anniversary-year cards. Plan your application around this date if you want to maximize the benefit. For example, if you apply for Global Entry in December on a calendar-year card, you can apply again in January and receive two reimbursements within 13 months.

Cards with a five-year reimbursement window (like the Sapphire Preferred) give you one credit per five-year cycle. If you receive the reimbursement early in your card membership, you will not receive another one until five years have passed, even if you renew your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck before then. Plan accordingly if you know you will need to renew during your card membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different card to pay and still get the reimbursement?

No. The reimbursement is only available if you pay with the specific may be able to access card at the time of purchase. If you use a different card, a debit card, or a bank transfer, you will not receive the credit. Some issuers have tried to allow reimbursement for charges made with other cards, but the standard policy requires payment with the may be able to access card.

What if I close my card before the reimbursement posts?

If you close the card before the statement credit appears, the reimbursement may not post. The card must typically be active and in good standing when the credit is processed. If you closed the card and the credit did not appear, contact the issuer's customer service with your application confirmation and payment date; some issuers will honor the credit even after closure, but this is not may provide.

Do I get reimbursed if I renew Global Entry or TSA PreCheck before the five years are up?

That depends on your card's terms. Cards with annual reimbursements (Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum) will cover a renewal if it falls within the calendar or membership year. Cards with a five-year reimbursement (Sapphire Preferred) typically cover only one application per five-year cycle, so an early renewal would not be covered. Check your card's benefits page to confirm.

Can I get reimbursed for a family member's Global Entry?

No. The reimbursement is only for the cardholder's own Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application. If a family member needs the benefit, they would need their own may be able to access credit card to receive a reimbursement. Some cards offer family Global Entry add-ons (which cost extra), but the standard reimbursement covers only the primary applicant.

Does the reimbursement count toward my annual spending for rewards or bonuses?

The reimbursement is a statement credit, not a purchase, so it does not count toward your annual spending totals or help you meet a sign-up bonus requirement. The original charge does count toward spending, but the credit offsets it. If you are trying to meet a bonus threshold, the net effect is that the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee does not contribute to your progress.