If you travel with any frequency, three programs can dramatically improve your airport experience: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR. TSA PreCheck gets you through security faster, Global Entry gets you through immigration faster, and CLEAR lets you skip the ID check entirely using biometric data.
The good news is that many premium credit cards reimburse the enrollment fees for these programs, meaning you can sign up without paying anything out of pocket. And since you can use these credits for anyone as long as you pay with your card, having multiple cards with these benefits is a great way to cover friends and family as well.
In this post, I will walk through how each program works, which credit cards offer reimbursement credits for each, and how to get the best value out of all of them.
Compare credit cards for airport security programs
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Earn 100,000 bonus points
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3x points on Dining
- $300 Annual Travel Credit
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
- Member FDIC
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
United Quest℠ Card
Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles + 500 PQP
- 10x total miles on eligible United flights
- 2x miles on dining
- Free first and second checked bags
NEW! 10x total miles on eligible United flights and 4x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
1x mile on all other purchases
Learn more from these OMAAT posts:
- Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities and 500 PQP after first purchase
- 10x total miles on eligible United flights and 4x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Get a jump start on earning Premier status with 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each year, awarded within 8 weeks of February 1, starting in the calendar year following your account open date.
- Free first and second checked bags--a savings of up to $440 per roundtrip (terms apply)
- Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
- Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP
Earn 500 Premier qualifying points after your first purchase and 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Plus 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user in the first 3 months your account is open.
United℠ Explorer Card
Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles
- Earn 9x total miles on eligible United flights
- First Free Checked Bag
- Two United Club Passes Annually
9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases.
2x miles on dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel.
1x mile on all other purchases
Learn more from these OMAAT posts:
- Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases.
- 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, Group 2 priority boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles when you add an authorized user within the first 3 months your account is open.
The New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Limited Time Launch Offer! Earn 180,000 Bonus Points
- Earn up to 24x at IHG Hotels
- Anniversary Free Night
- IHG One Rewards Gold Elite Status
Earn up to 24X total points on stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts
Earn 5X points on flights booked directly, car rental agencies, at gas stations, grocery stores (new!) and restaurants.
Earn 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Learn more from these OMAAT posts:
- Limited Time Launch Offer! Earn 180,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn up to 24X total points on stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Earn 5X points on flights booked directly, car rental agencies, at gas stations, grocery stores (new!) and restaurants. Earn 3X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Get an Anniversary Free Night each year. Plus, redeem 3 nights, get 4th night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG hotel stay.
- NEW! Enjoy up to $100 in Food & Beverage Rewards annually at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- This card offers over $700 in value your first year!
- Automatic Gold Elite Status as long as you remain an IHG One Rewards Premier cardmember. Plus, get 15 Elite Night Credits each year (new!).
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Kimpton®, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza®, EVEN® Hotels, & Holiday Inn®
- Member FDIC
Limited Time Launch Offer! Earn 180,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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® (learn more)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
- Chase Air Canada 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® (learn more)
- 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:
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:
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.
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