How Credit Cards Reimburse TSA PreCheck and Global Entry Fees

Most travel rewards cards cover the full fee if you charge it to them

If you have a travel rewards credit card, the card issuer likely covers your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee as a cardholder benefit. You charge the fee to that card when you pay, and the issuer reimburses you automatically — no forms, no receipts to submit. The reimbursement typically appears as a credit to your account within one to three billing cycles.

The catch is that this benefit only works if you use the specific card the issuer has designated for the reimbursement. Some cards cover both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry; others cover only one. A few premium cards cover the fee every five years (the renewal cycle), while most cover it once per year or once per card membership. You need to know which card you have and what it actually covers before you pay.

The reimbursement is not a refund you request — it is automatic. But you have to use the right card, and you have to charge the fee directly to the TSA or Global Entry website, not through a travel agent or third party.

Key Takeaways

• Travel rewards cards from American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Citi offer TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee reimbursement as a standard cardholder benefit.
• You must charge the fee directly to the official TSA PreCheck or Global Entry website using the specific card your issuer has designated for the benefit.
• Reimbursement is automatic and appears as a credit within one to three billing cycles; you do not need to submit receipts or file a claim.
• Some cards cover the fee once per year, others once per card membership, and a few premium cards cover it every five years — check your card's benefits guide to confirm the frequency.
• If you charge the fee to a different card or through a third party, the reimbursement will not process and you will have to pay out of pocket.

Which cards offer TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement

American Express cards with the benefit include the Platinum Card, the Business Platinum Card, and several premium Amex offerings. Chase cards include the Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Preferred. Capital One offers the Venture X card. Citi has the Prestige card. Each issuer sets its own terms: some cover both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, some cover only one, and some cover the fee every five years rather than annually.

Your card's benefits guide — available on the issuer's website or in your account portal — lists exactly what is covered and how often. If you do not see TSA PreCheck or Global Entry mentioned, the card does not include the benefit. Calling the issuer's customer service line and asking directly is the fastest way to confirm.

The benefit is not always obvious from the card's name or marketing materials. A card marketed as a travel card might not include this specific reimbursement, while a premium business card might. Read the actual benefits list, not the advertisement.

How to charge the fee so the reimbursement processes

Go to the official TSA PreCheck website (tsa.gov/precheck) or Global Entry website (cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry) and complete your application. When you reach the payment step, enter the credit card number for the card that offers the reimbursement benefit. Do not use a different card, and do not pay through a travel agent, a third-party booking site, or any intermediary.

The fee for TSA PreCheck is $78 to $85 depending on the application center and processing method. Global Entry is $100. Some cards reimburse the exact amount you pay; others reimburse a flat amount (for example, $100 for Global Entry regardless of what you actually paid). Check your benefits guide to see whether there is a cap.

Keep your confirmation email from TSA or CBP showing the fee you paid and the date. You do not need to submit it to get reimbursed, but it is useful if the reimbursement does not appear and you need to contact the card issuer to investigate.

When the reimbursement appears in your account

The credit typically shows up within one to three billing cycles after you charge the fee. Some issuers process it faster; others take the full three cycles. The reimbursement appears as a statement credit, not as cash back or points. It reduces the balance you owe on your card.

If you do not see the credit after three billing cycles, contact the card issuer's customer service line. Have your TSA or Global Entry confirmation email ready. The issuer will investigate whether the charge posted correctly and whether you used the right card. If there was an error, they can manually apply the credit.

What happens if you use the wrong card or pay a different way

If you charge the fee to a different card — one that does not offer the benefit — the reimbursement will not process. The issuer of the card you actually used has no obligation to reimburse you. You will have to pay the fee out of pocket.

The same applies if you pay through a third party: a travel agent, a booking site, or even a friend's card. The issuer can only reimburse charges that post directly to your account from the official TSA PreCheck or Global Entry payment processor. Indirect payments do not trigger the benefit.

If you made this mistake, you cannot retroactively get the reimbursement. You would have to pay the fee again using the correct card to get the benefit. Some issuers will waive the duplicate charge if you call and explain, but this is not may provide.

Reimbursement frequency and renewal cycles

Most cards reimburse the fee once per year or once per card membership. A few premium cards — typically those with annual fees of $400 or higher — reimburse it every five years, which aligns with the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry renewal cycle. Read your benefits guide to see which applies to your card.

If your card covers the fee annually and you renew your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry in year two, you can charge the renewal fee to the card and receive another reimbursement. If your card covers it once per membership and you already used the benefit, you will not receive a second reimbursement unless you upgrade to a different card or your card issuer changes the benefit terms.

Premium cards that cover the fee every five years are designed so you can use the reimbursement once during each membership period without worrying about annual limits. This is one reason these cards justify their higher annual fees for frequent travelers.

What to do if your card does not offer the benefit

If your current card does not include TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement, you have three options: pay the fee out of pocket, upgrade to a card that does offer it, or open a new card specifically for the benefit.

Opening a new card for a one-time $78 to $100 reimbursement usually does not make financial sense unless you were already planning to open a travel rewards card. If you were, timing the application so you can use the reimbursement benefit is a smart move. If you were not, paying the fee directly is simpler than managing another card account.

Some issuers occasionally offer limited-time promotions where they waive the annual fee for the first year or increase the sign-up bonus. If you are considering a new card anyway, checking for current promotions can offset the cost of membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the card every time I travel to keep the benefit?

No. The reimbursement is a benefit of holding the card, not a benefit of using it for travel. You only need to use the card to pay the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee itself. After that, you can use any card or payment method for your actual travel.

What if I have multiple cards from the same issuer?

Each card has its own benefits. Only the specific card designated for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement will cover the fee. If you have two Chase cards, for example, only the Sapphire Reserve might offer the benefit — not both. Check each card's benefits guide to see which one covers it.

Can I get reimbursed if I paid the fee before I opened the card?

No. The reimbursement only applies to fees charged to the card after you become a cardholder. If you paid the fee with a different card or in cash before opening the card that offers the benefit, you cannot retroactively receive the reimbursement.

Does the reimbursement cover the background check or biometric appointment fee?

No. The reimbursement covers only the application fee you pay to TSA or CBP when you submit your application online. Any additional fees for the in-person appointment, background check, or expedited processing are not covered.

What if the reimbursement does not show up after three months?

Contact the card issuer's customer service line with your TSA or Global Entry confirmation email showing the charge. Provide the exact amount you paid and the date. The issuer will investigate whether the charge posted correctly and whether you used the designated card. If there was an error, they can manually apply the credit to your account.