Best Credit Cards For Airport Security (Clear, Global Entry & TSA PreCheck)

Understanding airport security programs

Before getting into the cards, it is worth understanding what each program does and how they relate to one another, since they are complements rather than substitutes.

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck offers expedited security screening at airports in the United States. When using a TSA PreCheck lane, you do not have to take off your shoes, and you do not have to take your laptop or liquids out of your bag. You also go through a metal detector rather than a full body scanner. Because of this streamlined process with generally more experienced flyers, the lines move much more quickly.

TSA PreCheck is available at the vast majority of commercial airports in the United States. Not all terminals at all hours have an open PreCheck lane, but if a lane is not open, you will typically be given a card that allows you to keep your shoes on and use the metal detector while going through the standard lane.

TSA PreCheck is really popular. It has over 20 million direct members, plus over 20 million additional people who have access through partner Trusted Traveler Programs. Most airlines flying to the United States participate in TSA PreCheck, with only rare exceptions.

To apply for a  five-year TSA PreCheck membership, you submit an online application that takes about five minutes, and then schedule an in-person appointment for a background check and fingerprinting at an enrollment center. There are plenty of enrollment centers, so you do not have to go anywhere near an airport to enroll. To make sure you get TSA PreCheck when you fly, you need to add your Known Traveler Number to your reservation when you book, or during check-in if you forget.

Each person needs their own TSA PreCheck enrollment, with one exception: parents can take children 12 and under through the PreCheck lane with them.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a parallel program that gets you expedited customs and immigration when returning to the United States from abroad. You can use a kiosk at immigration, and thanks to your biometric data being on file, you will be on your way quickly. There is also a special customs lane for Global Entry members.

A Global Entry membership lasts for five years, and it also comes with TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck, on the other hand, does not come with Global Entry. So if you travel internationally with any frequency, your best bet is registering for Global Entry, since it covers both programs. The application fee is waived for applicants under 18 whose parent or legal guardian is a member.

What is NEXUS?

NEXUS gets you TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and expedited immigration in Canada. The catch is that there are not as many enrollment centers, since the program is primarily intended for those traveling frequently between the United States and Canada. Some credit cards that reimburse Global Entry or TSA PreCheck do not cover NEXUS, though Chase is a notable exception that does.

What is CLEAR?

CLEAR is a private company, separate from the government programs above, that stores biometric data to expedite clearing security at airports and at select stadiums and other venues. Both Delta Air Lines and United Airlines own a stake in the company.

The way CLEAR works is that you go up to a CLEAR checkpoint at an airport, your fingerprints or eyes are scanned, and then you bypass the ID check and head straight into the security line. If you have TSA PreCheck, you get directed into the PreCheck line; otherwise, you go into the standard line. CLEAR does not replace TSA PreCheck, it complements it. The ideal situation is to have both a Global Entry membership and a CLEAR membership, as you are then covered for expedited ID checking, expedited security screening, and expedited immigration.

CLEAR is currently available at over 50 airports, as well as at some stadiums and other venues. Not all terminals at eligible airports have CLEAR, and in some cases CLEAR is only open for select hours, so it is worth checking before heading to the airport.

Signing up for CLEAR is easy. You register online in a couple of minutes, your payment is processed at registration, and then the next time you are at an airport with CLEAR, a representative will walk you through the biometric enrollment. Unlike Global Entry, there is no interview required. CLEAR is just verifying your biometric data, not assessing how risky of a passenger you are.

Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

Many premium credit cards offer a statement credit that reimburses the enrollment fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or in some cases NEXUS. The credit typically applies once every four to five years, matching the renewal cycle of the programs. In all cases, the application fee must be paid with the card, but you can use your credit for someone else, which is a nice way to share the benefit with family and friends.

Here are the cards that offer this benefit, organized by issuer.

Chase cards

Chase stands out among card issuers for offering credits that cover NEXUS in addition to Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, which other issuers generally do not allow. The credit is valid once every four years, and it should post within one to two billing cycles of making an eligible purchase. The following Chase cards offer this perk:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
• Aeroplan® Credit Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
• United Club℠ Card
• United Quest℠ Card
• United℠ Explorer Card

American Express cards

Select American Express cards offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. The credit is valid every 4 years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. The credit should post within eight weeks of making an eligible purchase. The following Amex cards offer this perk:

• American Express Platinum Card®
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Capital One cards

Select Capital One cards offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, valid once every four years. The credit should post within two billing cycles. The following Capital One cards offer this perk:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Venture X Business
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card

Citi cards

Select Citi cards offer a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, valid once every five years, which is a slightly longer cycle than other issuers. The credit should post within one to two billing cycles. The following Citi cards offer this perk:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Bank of America cards

Bank of America offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit on one card, valid once every four years. The credit should post within three weeks of making an eligible purchase, which is the fastest turnaround of any issuer. The following Bank of America card offers this perk:

• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card

Best credit cards for CLEAR

CLEAR credits work differently from the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credits above. Rather than a one-time reimbursement every few years, select American Express cards offer an annual CLEAR+ credit up to $219. Enrollment is required to activate the credit.

The following American Express cards currently offer this annual CLEAR+ credit:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• American Express Platinum Card®
• American Express® Green Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

A few important details about these credits. The credits are per calendar year, based on when the transaction appears on your card. They can be used across multiple transactions if you are being charged the maximum credit amount by CLEAR. Purchases by both the primary cardmember and additional cardmembers are eligible, though additional cardmembers do not get additional credits. You can buy a CLEAR membership for anyone, including friends and family, as long as you pay with your card. Statement credits typically post within two to four weeks of an eligible purchase.

Since many of us have multiple cards with CLEAR credits, this is a great way to secure memberships not only for ourselves but for others as well. If you and your spouse each have an eligible Amex card, for example, you could use one credit for the initial membership fee and the other to add someone to a family plan.

How to maximize these credit card benefits

If you are into credit cards and travel rewards, you should not be paying anything out of pocket for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR. Here is how to get the most out of the credits available to you.

First, apply for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck. Global Entry  includes TSA PreCheck and also gets you expedited immigration when entering the United States. The credit cards that reimburse TSA PreCheck also reimburse Global Entry, so you are getting more coverage for no additional out-of-pocket cost.

Second, if you have a Chase card with this benefit, consider applying for NEXUS instead. NEXUS offers the same as Global Entry, but you get NEXUS, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck. Chase is the only major issuer that reimburses NEXUS. NEXUS is by far the best deal of the three programs.

Third, remember that you can use these credits for other people. The application fee just needs to be charged to your card. If you have multiple cards with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits, that is enough to cover several family members or friends. Given that many of us have cards across multiple issuers, this can add up to a lot of free enrollments.

Bottom line

TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, and CLEAR are all programs that can make the airport experience significantly better. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are the most universally useful, and I would recommend them to anyone who flies more than a couple of times a year. CLEAR can be a nice addition when it is free through an Amex card credit, but in my experience the time savings are inconsistent enough that I would not pay for it out of pocket.

The best part is that there are credit cards across every major issuer that reimburse the enrollment fees for these programs. Chase, American Express, Capital One, Citi, and Bank of America all have cards with Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credits, and Chase uniquely covers NEXUS as well. For CLEAR, four American Express cards offer an annual credit that fully covers the membership.

If you already have a premium travel card, there is a good chance you have one or more of these credits available to you right now. And if you have multiple cards with these benefits, use the extra credits for family and friends. It is one of the easiest ways to share the value of your credit card perks with the people around you.

Frequently asked questions