Which Credit Cards Offer Global Entry Credit?
Have you ever wondered which credit cards offer Global Entry credit as a perk of holding the card? Tons of cards offer this perk, which comes in handy for saving time and headaches at the airport, but which ones are the best options? The best options include those that will cover the application fee ($100), give it more than once, and have a low annual fee. Here’s a look at the list of the best cards for maximizing your Global Entry credit perk.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is provided by US Customs & Border Protection to speed people through passport control. You fill out info, go for an interview and background check, and then those approved go through an expedited line at the airport. This saves a lot of time waiting in line. It also puts you in the “known traveler” database, which lets you pass through the “TSA Pre-Check” line at airport security. Note that Global Entry covers you for TSA Pre-Check, but TSA Pre-Check doesn’t cover you for Global Entry. Numerous credit cards will reimburse you for the application fee for Global Entry.
The Best Credit Cards for Global Entry
Since there are dozens of cards offering this perk, I’ll break down the best cards by categories. I’m sure you’ll find something that works for you, if you don’t already have a card offering this perk.
The Best No-Fee Card: PenFed Pathfinder Rewards American Express
The Pentagon Federal Pathfinder Rewards Amex from PenFed is only open to military, veterans, and eligible family members. That might eliminate it from the list for most people. It’s one of only 3 no-fee cards covering your application fee for Global Entry, but it’s not taking new applicants. It will reimburse your fee every 5 years, which is when you need to re-apply and update your info with CBP. Since it’s not open to new applicants, I hope you’ve got this one already.
The Best Card With No Fee in the First Year: United MileagePlus Explorer Card
There are several cards that waive the fee for the first year and also reimburse for your Global Entry fee in the first year. Because of its increased welcome offer (Learn More), the United MileagePlus Explorer card edges out the others in this category. Plus the card offers some amazing perks for United flyers like extra award booking space. There’s a $95 fee after the first year, and the fee credit can be used every 4 years.
The Best Hotel Card: IHG Rewards Club Premier
A handful of hotel cards offer Global Entry reimbursement. Far and away, the lowest fee on these is the IHG Rewards Club Premier card from Chase. Chase will reimburse you for Global Entry fees every 4 years, and the card has an $89 annual fee.
The Best Premium Travel Card: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Several premium travel cards could be considered here. Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve card? It’s easiest to extract value from what you’re paying in the annual fee (see our benefits guide). The $450 annual fee includes a bunch of perks, including $300 of travel credits. To me, that makes the annual fee $150. The other perks included make this the best premium travel card for Global Entry, setting it apart in a field of others with similar fees. Chase will reimburse your GE fees every 4 years on this card. (Learn More)
The Best Business Card: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Edging out the American Express Business Platinum because of a huge difference in annual fee, The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business card from Chase will reimburse you for Global Entry every 4 years. That’s the same benefit as the Amex Business Platinum for less than half the annual fee ($199 vs $595). Plus the Southwest Performance Business card comes with a ton of useful perks for Southwest frequent flyers.
Other Credit Cards for Global Entry Reimbursement
We’ve covered the best in numerous categories. As I said, there are many cards that offer Global Entry reimbursement as a perk of the card. Here’s the master list:
No Annual Fee
• First National Bank of Omaha TravElite American Express® Card (Not open to new applicants)
• Navy Federal Flagship Rewards Visa Signature Provident World+ Travel
Fee Waived First Year
• SunTrust Travel Rewards Credit Card
• Capital One Spark Miles (Learn More)
• Capital One Venture (Learn More)
Cards With an Annual Fee
• American Express Business Platinum Card
• American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
• American Express Platinum Card
• Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
• Centurion Card from American Express (By invitation only)
• Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard
• Citi Prestige Card
• CNB Crystal Visa Infinite
• UBS Visa Infinite
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
• U.S. Bank FlexPerks Gold American Express Card
• US Bank SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card
Cards Not Open to New Applicants
• Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card
• Barclays Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard
• Barclay AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite MasterCard
Final Thoughts
There are numerous credit cards for Global Entry fee reimbursement. If you’ve been in this hobby any amount of time, you likely have one of these in your wallet. You probably have more than one. If you do, you are definitely allowed to use the perk for someone else. When your friend, relative, or lucky stranger is filling out the application, use the card with this perk to pay for it. The statement credit should show up on your bill to reimburse you for the Global Entry application fee. There’s no pre-enrollment necessary for using the perk.
Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
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Pathfinder isn’t open to new apps
Thanks for that. Looked through their cards and hadn’t noticed this one was missing the ‘apply now’ button.