INSIDER SECRET: Top travel credit cards don’t just offer a statement credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry once. Depending on the card, you’ll earn this benefit every four to five years to cover the cost of renewing your membership.
There’s not a single frequent flyer out there who enjoys waiting in lines. One of the reasons elite status is so valuable is that it will often allow travelers to take advantage of dedicated check-in areas, early boarding and expedited baggage handling.
If you’re not an elite flyer, you can still speed through the airport by being a member of a trusted traveler program like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. With both programs, you’ll skip long TSA security lines at most airports, and Global Entry gets you a fast track through US immigration and customs.
The best part? You can get your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee reimbursed when you have the right credit card, and not just when you first apply. You’ll also earn a credit when it comes time to renew your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.
Renew TSA PreCheck or Global Entry With These Cards
- Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card – Every 4 years
- The Platinum Card® from American Express – Every 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck
- The Business Platinum® Card from American Express – Every 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck
- Chase Sapphire Reserve – Every 4 years
- United℠ Explorer Card – Every 4 years
- IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card – Every 4 years
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite
Mastercard® – Every 5 years - Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card – Every 4 years
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express® Card – Every 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck
- US Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card – Every 4 years
- Citi Prestige® Card – Every 5 years
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card – Every 4 years
Some of our favorite travel credit cards offer TSA PreCheck or Global Entry reimbursement. When you pay the application fee with your card, you’ll get a statement credit for the amount you paid. Depending on the card, you can use this benefit every four to five years, so you’ll always have access to a faster airport experience.
The cost of a 5-year membership for TSA PreCheck is $85 while Global Entry (which comes with TSA PreCheck) costs $100. Any credit card that offers a trusted traveler program statement benefit will cover the cost of one of these programs up to $100.
If you have a valid passport and can apply for the program, we recommend that you apply for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck. If you plan on doing any international travel in the next five years, it’s worth it to apply for Global Entry versus TSA PreCheck.
How Will You Know When It’s Time to Renew?
All US trusted traveler programs are valid for five years, and some programs allow members to renew their membership earlier than others. Whether you hold TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, it is easy to find out when you’ll need to renew either program.
TSA PreCheck
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will notify members up to six months prior to their membership expiring, using the phone number and/or email address provided when that member originally signed up for the program.
Unlike Global Entry, TSA PreCheck members do not receive a physical card indicating their membership. This means the only way to determine when your TSA PreCheck membership expires, other than waiting for TSA to contact you, is to visit the TSA’s Universal Enrollment website or contact TSA customer service.
Global Entry
Determining when your Global Entry membership expires is substantially easier. For one, the expiration date of your Global Entry membership is printed on your Global Entry card. Global Entry members also will still receive a notification via email informing them of the program’s expiration date.
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck. Members can renew Global Entry as far as a year in advance while TSA PreCheck can be renewed as far as six months in advance.
How Do You Renew Your Trusted Traveler Program Membership?
Renewing your trusted traveler program membership is surprisingly painless. In many cases, the process should only take a few minutes out of your day and a second interview or visit to an application center may not be needed.
TSA PreCheck
It’s unlikely that you’ll need to schedule an appointment at a TSA PreCheck application center to renew the membership. However, in some cases, the TSA will require a traveler to visit an application center to provide updated information or new fingerprints. Travelers will find out whether they’ll need to visit an application center when they go through the reapplication process online.
To begin the renewal process, head to the Universal Enrollment portal via this link and click the green button that says “renew.” You will need to provide your Known Traveler Number (KTN) and some basic personal information. If the information you have provided is correct and you are eligible to renew your TSA PreCheck membership, you will be directed to the application.
During the renewal process, you will likely be instructed to provide updated information and confirm existing information. You will also be prompted to provide payment information. If you are hoping to take advantage of your credit card’s TSA PreCheck statement credit benefit, be sure to use this credit card at checkout. For a full list of credit cards that provide this benefit, check out our guide.
Global Entry
To start your Global Entry renewal, head to the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) portal, which replaced the DHS GOES portal.
To renew your Global Entry membership, you’ll first need to locate your former DHS GOES user ID and password. You may be able to access the TTP portal with just your GOES user ID if you can successfully verify your identity.
Once you’re in the new TTP portal, you will be able to update any personal information. If you are in fact eligible to renew your Global Entry membership, you should be provided that option. Click through to the application. You will have to follow the same steps as when you originally applied, making updates as needed.
Once you complete the renewal process you will be prompted to provide payment information. If you plan on using a credit card with a statement credit for Global Entry, be sure to use that card at checkout.
For more about using top credit cards with a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit, check out our guide to beating airport lines.
Bottom Line
The TSA expects a record number of travelers to take to the skies this summer, which means longer lines and wait times. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck provide travelers the ability to bypass these long lines.
Additionally, top credit cards will cover the cost of either program every four to five years, depending on the card. Even when it’s time to renew your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership, you can get a statement credit for the application fee when you pay with your card.
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