Even if you travel only once in awhile, you know how annoying the airport security process can be. And if you’re a global jetsetter, then you’ve dealt with the crazy lines at immigration and customs on your way home. But did you know? There are ways to cut your time at airport screenings: Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
See our best credit card bonuses here.
These trusted traveler programs aren’t free, but you can avoid their fees with the right credit card. We’ll cover the best cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck below.
For additional reading, see our post Tips & Tricks For Getting Through Airport Security Fast.
Global Entry & TSA PreCheck Features
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are both trusted traveler programs. In order to apply, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident.
Below are the similarities and differences between the two programs:
| GLOBAL ENTRY | TSA PRECHECK |
| $100 application fee | $85 application fee |
| Valid for 5 years | Valid for 5 years |
| Applies to domestic & international flights with participating airlines & airports. | Applies to domestic flights with participating airlines & airports |
| Benefits include: TSA PreCheck Faster immigration & customs screening Expedited processing at land borders | Benefits include: Shorter lines Keep shoes, belt & jacket on Leave laptop & liquids in your carry-on |
| Requirements: Online application, in-person interview & background check | Requirements: Online application, in-person interview & background check |
In general, we recommend applying for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck, because Global Entry covers both programs. If you have a credit card that reimburses you for the application fee, that’s one more reason to shoot for Global Entry.
Best Mid-Tier Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
CAPITAL ONE® VENTURE® REWARDS CREDIT CARD
The Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card currently earns 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening. Or if are unable to meet the $20k spending requirement, you can still earn 50,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. These bonus miles are equal to $1000 or $500, respectively, in travel and are easy to redeem as a statement credit towards the cost of your travel purchases. Take advantage of Capital One’s travel partners and these up to 100k miles can be worth around $1400 in value.
This card will earn an ongoing 2 miles for every dollar you spend on all purchases. 100 miles is equal to $1 in travel rewards. If you don’t redeem towards travel purchases, your miles will have less value.
The annual fee is $95.
BANK OF AMERICA® PREMIUM REWARDS CREDIT CARD
The Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card offers a sign-up bonus of 50,000 points when you spend at least $3,000 within the first 90 days. These points have a $500 redemption value.
The card offers unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Also, consider the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card if you would like the following travel benefits:
- $100 Airline Incidental Statement Credit annually.
- $100 Airport Security Statement Credit towards TSA Pre✓ or Global Entry Application fee, every four years.
It’s especially worthwhile if you’re a Preferred Rewards client, where being a loyal customer translates into attractive relationship bonuses.
There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $95 for this card.
Best Premium Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
THE PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Platinum Card® from American Express has a special offer for 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in purchases within your first 6 months.
Membership Rewards® points are some of the most valuable in the market. Redeeming these points by booking travel through American Express or by redeeming for gift cards will give you a standard 1 cent per point value. The 100k bonus points are worth $1,000 going this route.
You can potentially get more value by transferring your points to Membership Rewards travel partners. Using this strategy can get you up to an average value of 2 cents per point. Get around $2,000 in value with 100,000 points this way. Read more on this here.
With this card, earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
The biggest drawback to this card is the $695 annual fee (see Rates & Fees, Terms Apply), which puts it in the premium class of credit cards. The card has a market because it offers premium travel benefits, such as 5X points for flights (up to $500,000 on these purchases) and eligible hotels, access to 40+ Centurion Loung and Studio locations worldwide, up to $200 airline fee credit annually, and an annual Walmart+ membership. These benefits are given as statement credits.
For frequent travelers, the added benefits make sense in terms of value and added luxury.
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card is offering 80,000 bonus points (worth up to $1,600 in travel per our valuations). You’ll need to spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening to qualify for the bonus. These 80k points are redeemable for $1,200 toward travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
This is a premium travel card with a premium annual fee of $550. But, you’ll receive premium benefits such as 5X points on air travel, 10x points spent on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit, 3X points on all other travel and dining, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
The card also features an application fee credit (up to $100) for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®, access to 1,300+ airport lounges with Priority Pass Select, and 50% more in travel redemption through Chase Ultimate Rewards. With Pay Yourself BackSM, your points are worth 50% more for existing purchases in select, rotating categories.
Best Hotel Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
MARRIOTT BONVOY BRILLIANT™ AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARD
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card has an offer for 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. We value these 75k points at around $675.
This card earns 6 points per $1 at hotels participating in the Marriott BonvoyTM program and 3 points at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines. You’ll receive 2 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
You’ll get a Free Night Award (redemption level up to 50,000 points) every account anniversary year, and up to $300 in statement credits each year for eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott BonvoyTM program. Resort fees may apply. Other benefits include unlimited airport lounge visits with the Priority Pass Select membership and no foreign transaction fees.
This premium card comes with an Annual Fee of $450. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
IHG® REWARDS CLUB PREMIER CREDIT CARD
The IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card has an offer for 140,000 bonus points and 1 Free Night when you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months. Our valuation puts these 140k points at around $700 without considering the value of the Free Night.
This card earns up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel. Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
After each account anniversary year you’ll get a Free Night at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights and you get a free reward night.
Also, get a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card.
Get automatic Platinum Elite status with this card. The annual fee is $89 a year.
Best Airline Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
DELTA SKYMILES PLATINUM AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has an introductory offer for 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
This card earns 3 miles per $1 on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. It also earns 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. You’ll earn 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
Upon renewal of your card each year, you will receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. The cost of government imposed taxes and fees will be no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
You and up to 8 travel companions get your first checked bag free on Delta flights. You’ll also receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
You’ll also get an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓. There are no foreign transaction fees and the annual fee is $250.
CITI® / AADVANTAGE® EXECUTIVE WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has a 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles offer. Make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening to earn this bonus. See our valuation of AAdvantage miles are worth. You’ll easily receive at least $500 in value from these bonus miles.
The card earns 2 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
You’ll receive expected perks like no foreign transaction fees and your first checked bag for free on domestic American Airlines flights. Up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation will also receive this free checked bag perk.
The main reasons travelers choose this $450 annual fee card are:
- Complimentary Admirals Club lounge access
- 10,000 AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
Best Business Credit Cards For Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
CAPITAL ONE SPARK MILES FOR BUSINESS
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business card offers a bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5X miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One TravelSM using this card. Capital One has 10+ transfer partners, potentially making your miles worth even more. Using the strategy of transferring your miles to these travel partners, we estimate 50k miles to be worth around $700.
This card earns unlimited 2X miles all purchases. Another benefit is one credit, up to $100, for a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ application fee.
The annual fee is waived for the first year and is $95 after that.
SOUTHWEST® RAPID REWARDS® PERFORMANCE BUSINESS CREDIT CARD
The Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card has a 80,000 bonus points offer when you spend $5,000 within the first 3 months. We value these 80k points to be worth around $1,200.
The card earns 4 points for every $1 on Southwest Airlines, 3 points for points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners, and 2 points for every $1 on rideshare, social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable and phone services.
You’ll also receive perks such as:
- Four Upgraded Boardings per year when available ($30-$50 value each).
- Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ Fee credit.
- Free 1st & 2nd checked bags.
- No change fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
The annual fee for this card is $199.
THE BUSINESS PLATINUM CARD® FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has a welcome offer for 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership. We value 80k points to be worth around $1,600.
This card earns 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (amextravel.com). Also earn 1.5X Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else. Cap applies.
This is a premium business card with a $695 annual fee. See Rates & Fees, Terms Apply.
Additional Guides
While we focused on credit cards for young professionals in this post, you may want to consider other cards with additional earning potential that matches your spending behavior. Click here for our guide on the best credit cards in other categories or check out these other posts:
READ MORE: SEE THE BEST BANK BONUSES HERE AND THE BEST INVESTING BONUSES HERE.
Discover more from MoneysMyLife
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
