Global Entry costs $120 and lasts five years. That's $24 a year to skip the customs line after international flights and breeze through TSA security domestically without removing your shoes, laptop, or belt. It's one of the clearest value propositions in travel — and a surprising number of credit cards will pay for it entirely.
If you're paying out of pocket for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you're leaving money on the table.
Here's the complete rundown of which cards cover it, how to actually use the credit, and which cards are worth getting for this benefit alone.
How the Global Entry Credit Card Benefit Works
The mechanics are simple:
- You apply for Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck) through the government portal and pay the fee with your qualifying credit card
- Within 1–3 billing cycles, the issuer automatically posts a statement credit matching the fee
- The credit is typically available once every 4–5 years per cardholder (aligned to the program's renewal cycle)
Important: You don't need to call anyone or submit a reimbursement form. Pay with the card, wait a few weeks, see the credit appear. Some cards will also cover the fee for authorized users — that's where the value compounds significantly.
Complete List: Credit Cards That Cover Global Entry
Premium Travel Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Global Entry Credit | Covers Auth Users? | Credit Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | $695 | $120 | Yes (each AU gets own credit) | Every 4.5 years |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | $120 | No (primary only) | Every 4 years |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | $120 | Yes (each AU gets own credit) | Every 4 years |
| Citi Prestige | $495 | $120 | No | Every 5 years |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve | $400 | $120 | No | Every 4.5 years |
Mid-Tier Travel Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Global Entry Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Gold Card | $250 | $120 | Added benefit since 2024 |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | $100 (TSA PreCheck only) | Does not cover full Global Entry |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | $120 | One of the best mid-tier offerings |
| Citi Strata Premier | $95 | $120 | Added as of recent refresh |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards | $95 | $100 | TSA PreCheck reimbursement |
Airline Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Global Entry Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex | $650 | $120 |
| United Club Infinite Card | $525 | $120 |
| Alaska Airlines Visa Signature | $95 | $100 (TSA PreCheck) |
| United Explorer Card | $95 | $120 |
| British Airways Visa Signature | $95 | None |
Hotel Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Global Entry Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | $650 | $120 |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | $95 | None |
| IHG Rewards Premier | $99 | $120 |
Business Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Global Entry Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Business Platinum | $695 | $120 |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred | $95 | None |
| Capital One Spark Miles Select | $0 | $120 (once lifetime) |
Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck: Which Should You Get?
Get Global Entry if: You travel internationally at least once a year. At $120, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck automatically, so you get both programs for the price of one. The expedited customs lanes alone — bypassing the long immigration lines after international arrivals — are worth the price several times over.
Get TSA PreCheck only if: You rarely or never travel internationally. At $85 ($78 if you use a discount code via TSA's website), it covers domestic security. But if there's any chance you'll travel internationally, Global Entry is the better play.
| Program | Cost | What It Gets You | Included in Other? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Entry | $120 | Expedited customs re-entry + TSA PreCheck | — |
| TSA PreCheck | $85 | Expedited domestic security | Included with Global Entry |
| NEXUS | $50 | US-Canada border + some PreCheck | Gives Global Entry benefits |
| SENTRI | $122.25 | US-Mexico border + some PreCheck | Gives Global Entry benefits |
Hack: If you're on the US-Canada or US-Mexico border corridor, NEXUS ($50) and SENTRI ($122.25) can also be reimbursed by many of the same cards, and NEXUS effectively gives you TSA PreCheck access. Most cards that cover Global Entry also cover NEXUS and SENTRI.
The Best Cards If You Want This Benefit Specifically
Best for Families: Capital One Venture X ($395/yr)
This is the card that makes the Global Entry math sing. At $395 annual fee, you get:
- $300 annual travel credit (applied automatically to travel purchases)
- 10,000 anniversary bonus miles (~$100 value)
- Global Entry for you and every authorized user at no cost
- Priority Pass lounge access
Net effective cost after the $300 credit and anniversary miles: essentially break-even or negative. If you add two authorized users (say, a spouse and a parent), you've just gotten three Global Entry applications covered — a $360 value — for a card that's basically free after its annual benefits.
Best Mid-Tier Value: Capital One Venture ($95/yr)
For a $95 annual fee, the Venture covers $120 in Global Entry. That's the entire annual fee paid back immediately, plus 2x miles on everything. Simple, clean, no complexity.
Best Premium Option for Frequent Travelers: Amex Platinum ($695/yr)
The Platinum's Global Entry benefit shines for households. The card allows up to three additional Amex Platinum authorized users at $195 each (sometimes waived with targeted offers) — and each authorized user gets their own $120 Global Entry credit. Two family members traveling internationally? That's $240 in Global Entry credits from one card family.
Combine that with Centurion Lounge access, $200 airline fee credit, $200 hotel credit, $240 digital entertainment credit, and TSA PreCheck for every cardholder, and the fee math actually works for frequent travelers.
How to Apply for Global Entry
- Go to the Trusted Traveler Programs website: ttp.dhs.gov
- Create an account and start a Global Entry application
- Pay the $120 fee with your qualifying credit card (the one with the reimbursement benefit)
- Schedule your interview at an enrollment center — typically a customs/border protection office at major airports. Wait times vary; 2–8 weeks is common, though conditional approval sometimes allows airport enrollment on arrival from international travel
- Attend interview — 10–15 minutes, bring passport and valid ID
- Receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) — add this to all future flight bookings
The statement credit from your card typically posts within 1–3 billing cycles of the charge. You don't need to do anything extra.
Renewal: When to Apply and Which Card to Use
Global Entry is valid for five years. You can renew up to six months before expiration and pay the $120 fee — which means another credit from your card.
If your current card doesn't cover it, this is a great excuse to time a new card application for the renewal window. Many people specifically apply for a new card 3–6 months before Global Entry renewal to capture the reimbursement, then use the card for the welcome bonus too.
Note: If you got Global Entry during conditional approval at an airport, your membership date is the date of your interview — plan your next card accordingly.
Authorized Users: Where This Benefit Multiplies
Most people overlook this. On cards like the Capital One Venture X and Amex Platinum, each authorized user gets their own Global Entry reimbursement credit — not a shared pool. A family of four traveling on Venture X authorized users could theoretically get four Global Entry applications covered through one card account.
The practical constraint: authorized user cards typically carry a fee ($75–$195 each), so run the math for your household. For the Venture X, additional user cards are $75 each, and each gets their own credit. Net cost per family member's Global Entry: $75 per year card fee for a benefit that costs $120 every 5 years — well worth it.
Planning Trips Around Your New Global Entry
Once you've got Global Entry locked in and your next international trip is on the horizon, the itinerary planning is the fun part. Faroway builds personalized travel itineraries based on your destination, travel style, and budget — so you can spend less time researching and more time actually looking forward to the trip.
Think of the $120 you just saved as a nice dinner on your first night abroad.
Quick Reference: Is My Card on the List?
If you're unsure whether your current card covers Global Entry, check your card's benefits guide or call the number on the back. Look specifically for "Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit" — some cards phrase it as "application fee reimbursement" in the benefits summary.
Cards that do not typically cover Global Entry despite being travel cards: Chase Freedom Unlimited, Citi Double Cash, Discover it Miles, Wells Fargo Active Cash. These are solid everyday earners but aren't premium enough to include the perk.
If you travel internationally even once a year, Global Entry is a no-brainer — and with the right card, it's free. The application takes 20 minutes. The interview takes 15. And then you never stand in that customs line again.
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Written by
Faroway Team
The Faroway team is passionate about making travel planning effortless with AI. We combine travel expertise with cutting-edge technology to help you explore the world.
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