Paying the $120 Global Entry application fee with the right credit card gets you a statement credit, effectively making the membership free. More than 30 cards offer this benefit, spanning annual fees from $95 to $895. Before you apply and pay out of pocket, read the guidance below to find a card that covers the fee and fits your travel.
Quick Overview of the Best Global Entry Credit Cards
More than 30 credit cards reimburse the $120 Global Entry application fee, and the credit typically renews every 4 years, close to Global Entry’s 5-year membership term (Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost, so a single credit effectively covers both programs (Source: Transportation Security Administration). Cards with this benefit range from $95 to $895 in annual fees; lower-fee cards tend to pair it with basic travel rewards, and premium cards add lounge access and other perks.
For premium travel, the Platinum Card® from American Express ($895 annual fee; rates & fees) offers the widest airport lounge access on this list. For a lower annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 annual fee) covers the credit alongside flexible travel rewards.
Most cards on this page require good to excellent credit.
The Best Global Entry Cards Right Now
- Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for premium travelers who want extensive lounge access; $895 annual fee; reimburses up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for frequent travelers who enjoy upscale perks; $795 annual fee; reimburses up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every 4 years.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for moderate-fee everyday travel; $95 annual fee; reimburses up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS every 4 years.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: Best for frequent travelers and diners; $595 annual fee; reimburses up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 5 years.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best business card for premium travel benefits; $895 annual fee (rates & fees); reimburses up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years.
What Is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that gives approved travelers expedited customs screening when returning to the United States from abroad. Membership costs $120, lasts 5 years, and automatically includes TSA PreCheck for expedited airport security on domestic flights and international flights departing the U.S. (Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection). You apply online, complete a background check, and attend a Global Entry interview before approval.
Best Global Entry Credit Cards: Full Comparison
These cards offer a credit of up to $120 every 4 years:
|
Card |
Welcome Offer |
Annual Fee |
Earning Rates |
|
Platinum Card® from American Express |
As High as 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.Platinum Card® from American ExpressYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount — all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted. |
$895 (rates & fees) | 1x-5x pointsPlatinum Card® from American Express
|
|
Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
100,000 pointsChase Sapphire Reserve®Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
$795 | 1x-10x pointsChase Sapphire Reserve®
|
|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card |
75,000 milesCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardEarn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. |
$395 (rates & fees) |
2x-10x milesCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
|
|
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
75,000 pointsChase Sapphire Preferred® CardEarn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
$95 | 1x-5x pointsChase Sapphire Preferred® Card
|
|
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card |
LIMITED TIME OFFER2 Round-Trip Delta Comfort Flights + 50,000 MilesDelta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardEarn two round‑trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/4/2026. |
$650 (rates & fees) |
1x-3x milesDelta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
|
|
United℠ Explorer Card |
Up to 60,000 milesUnited℠ Explorer CardEarn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. |
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | 1x-9x milesUnited℠ Explorer Card
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|
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® |
60,000 milesCiti® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. |
$350 | 1x-6x milesCiti® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
|
|
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card |
75,000 PointsCiti Strata Elite℠ CardEarn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. |
$595 | 1.5x-12x pointsCiti Strata Elite℠ Card
|
|
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card |
140,000 pointsIHG One Rewards Premier Credit CardEarn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
$99 | 3x-26x pointsIHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
|
|
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express |
NEW OFFERAs High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer. The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressAs High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. |
$895 (rates & fees) |
1x-5x pointsThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express
|
|
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ |
LIMITED TIME OFFER200,000 pointsSapphire Reserve for Business℠Earn 200,000 bonus points after you spend $30,000 on purchases in your first 6 months from account opening and access more than $7,000 in total business and travel value in your first year. |
$795 | 1x-8x pointsSapphire Reserve for Business℠
|
|
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card |
LIMITED TIME OFFER200,000 milesDelta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardLimited Time Offer: Earn 200,000 Bonus Miles after spending $20,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 11/4/26. |
$650 (rates & fees) |
1x-3x milesDelta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
|
|
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card |
140,000 pointsIHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit CardEarn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
$99 | 3x-26x pointsIHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
|
|
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card |
80,000 pointsSouthwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit CardEarn 80,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. |
$299 | 1x-4x pointsSouthwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
|
How the Global Entry Credit Works
Using the benefit is straightforward. Charge the $120 Global Entry application fee to an eligible credit card when you apply or renew, and the issuer posts a statement credit to your account automatically, usually within 1 to 2 billing cycles. There is no form to file and no claim to submit; the qualifying charge itself triggers the credit. The reimbursement applies whether your application is approved or denied since the fee is assessed either way. If the credit has not posted after 2 billing cycles, contact your card issuer to confirm the charge qualified.
Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are both Trusted Traveler Programs, but they cover different parts of the journey. TSA PreCheck costs $85 or less for 5 years and speeds you through security on domestic flights and on international flights departing from the U.S. (Source: Transportation Security Administration).
Global Entry costs $120 for 5 years, adds expedited U.S. customs screening when you return from abroad, and includes TSA PreCheck at no extra charge. Because most cards on this page reimburse the full $120 Global Entry fee, Global Entry is almost always the better value for anyone who flies internationally.
The Cards in Detail
Platinum Card® from American Express (Top Pick)
The Amex Platinum card leads in luxury travel, with the widest airport lounge access, generous statement credits, and hotel elite status. Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, plus 1x on everything else.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
A high-end travel card that earns well on travel and dining and carries top luxury perks. Earn 8x points through Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, 3x on dining, and 1x on everything else
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Global Entry benefit: Up to a $120 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A strong travel card with a good welcome offer, useful benefits, and a moderate annual fee. Earn 5x points on Chase Travel purchases, 3x on dining, online groceries, and select streaming, 2x on other travel, and 1x on everything else.
Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Global Entry benefit: Up to a $120 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings
- 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta loyalists get a fast track to elite status, Sky Club access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority. Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and 1x on everything else.
United℠ Explorer Card
Priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, and more for MileagePlus members. Earn 9x miles on United flights, 3x on other United purchases, 2x on dining and hotels, and 1x on everything else.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®
Adds value on every American Airlines flight and helps you qualify for elite status. Earn 6x miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings, 3x on American Airlines purchases, and 2x on dining and transit.
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Citi’s most premium card, built for frequent travelers and diners. Earn 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through cititravel.com, 6x on air travel through cititravel.com, 6x on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.), and 1.5x on everything else.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Built for IHG fans, with an annual free night, automatic Platinum Elite status, and a fourth night free on award stays. Earn up to 26x points at IHG hotels, 5x on travel, gas, and dining, and 3x on everything else.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer as high as 300,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum card. Find out your offer. Terms Apply.
Built for business travelers who want luxury travel and a card loaded with benefits. Earn 5x points on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals booked at AmexTravel.com, 2x in key business categories and on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million of these purchases annually), and 1x on everything else.
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
A premium option for business owners who travel often and want top-tier perks. Earn 8x points on Chase Travel, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, 3x on social media and search advertising, and more.
Capital One Venture X Business Card
Global Entry benefit: Up to a $120 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Business Travel
- 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Business Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
This card adds priority boarding, Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate. Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases, 1.5x miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and office supply stores, and 1x on all purchases (1.5x on all purchases after $150,000 in annual spending)
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
The business version for travelers who regularly stay at IHG hotels. Earn up to 26x points at IHG hotels, 5x on travel, gas, dining, and select business purchases, and 3x on everything else.
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest frequent flyers get complimentary seat selection and bonus points each cardmember anniversary. Earn 4x points on Southwest purchases, 2x on gas, dining, hotels, and transit, and 1x on everything else.
Capital One Venture Business Card
The Capital One Venture Business cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. is a simple travel-rewards card for small-business owners. Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel and 2x miles on everything else.
How We Selected the Best Credit Cards
Each card on this page was evaluated for the value of its Global Entry credit, its annual fee relative to the perks it delivers, and the strength of its welcome offer and everyday earnings. Cards that pair the credit with benefits such as lounge access, travel credits, or elite status ranked higher among travelers willing to pay a premium fee. For the full framework, see our credit card rating methodology.
Final Thoughts
More than 30 credit cards reimburse the $120 Global Entry application fee, which brings your out-of-pocket cost to zero. The right card depends on how much annual fee you’re comfortable paying and how much broader travel value you want alongside the credit, whether that’s lounge access, annual travel credits, or hotel and airline status. Review the comparison table and the top picks above to match a card to the way you travel.