Most people get Global Entry free by using a credit cards that cover the cost of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
If you have flown internationally before, you know how it feels: the thrill of a trip abroad followed by the low of the long line of customs waiting at home.
Global Entry is a program that allows approved members to join an expedited passport clearance line, reducing wait times at more than 70 airports. This Customs & Border Protection program allows approved members to join an expedited passport clearance line, significantly reducing wait times at the more than 70 airports that utilize the service. Global Entry can be used at U.S. airports as well as certain airports overseas. U.S. customs preclearance is offered, like Dublin Airport in Ireland and Toronto Pearson in Canada—and it also comes with the expedited security benefits of TSA PreCheck.
These benefits come with a price, but you can get them covered by certain credit cards. Continue reading to find out how you can get Global Entry free.
Global Entry Costs & Requirements
It costs $120 per month as of May 2025. apply for Global Entry. If approved, this fee will be all you pay for the next five years. Global Entry memberships expire After five years you will need to renew your license and pay the renewal fee.
The requirements to become a member of the Global Entry program are quite complex. Global Entry applicants are required to complete an additional application in addition to the online application. in-person interview You will also be subjected to a thorough background investigation. To be eligible, you must have reached the age of 18 (or be applying with your parent’s permission) and be a U.S. Citizen or a permanent lawful resident of one of several countries who allow Global Entry participation, such as the United Kingdom, Mexico and others.
If you have been convicted of any crime, provided false information in your application or violated any immigration or customs policy in any country you may not be eligible for Global Entry. Global Entry’s eligibility page has all the details. website.
Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle, via Getty Images
Global Entry Credit Card Coverage
You can apply for Global Entry using a credit card that is approved. Many cards cover the Global Entry fee. This is usually done as a credit on the statement after the cardholder has paid. This benefit is offered by most eligible cards once every 4 years. You can’t enroll the entire family, but you will be able use it when you renew your card for 5 years.
The range of cards that qualify includes beginner-friendly cards with no annual fees, exclusive cards and corporate cards. These credit cards offer free Global Entry and are listed below with their annual fees.
- Aeroplan® Credit Card: $95 annual fee
- American Express Business Platinum Card®: $695 annual fee
- American Express Centurion® Card: $5,000 annual fee
- American Express® Corporate Gold Card: $250 annual fee
- American Express Corporate Platinum Card®: $550 annual fee
- American Express Platinum Card®: $650 annual fee
- Arvest Visa Signature® Credit Card: $0 annual fee
- Capital One® Spark® Miles Business Card: $95 annual fee (waived the first year)
- Capital One® Venture® Card: $95 annual fee
- Capital One® Venture X® Business Card: $395 annual fee
- Capital One® Venture X® Card: $395 annual fee
- Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®: $95 annual fee
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard®: $595 annual fee
- Citi Prestige® Card: $495 annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Personal Card: $350 annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Business Card: $350 annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Personal Card: $650 annual fee
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Business Card: $650 annual fee
- HSBC Elite World Elite Mastercard®: $495 annual fee
- IHG One Reward Premier Credit Card – $99 Annual Fee
- IHG One Reward Premier Business Credit Card – $99 annual fee
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card: $650 annual fee
- MasterCard® Black Card™: $495 annual fee
- MasterCard® Gold Card™: $995 annual fee
- Navy Federal’s Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Card: $49 annual fee
- One Key+™ Card: $99 annual fee
- PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card: $95 annual fee
- Provident World+ Travel®: $45 annual fee (waived the first year)
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card: $199 annual fee
- Truist Enjoy Card: $95 annual Fee
- UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card $650 annual fee
- United Club℠ Card: $695 annual fee
- United℠ Explorer Card: $150 annual fee (waived the first year)
- United Quest℠ Card: $350 annual fee
- USAA Eagle Navigator™ Visa Signature® Credit Card: $95 annual fee
You can also get Global Entry free by using other methods
Unfortunately, the only other way to get Global Entry is by using a qualifying credit card. A few cards will also cover the cost of Global Entry.
It is common for these cards to offer TSA PreCheck at full price as an added benefit. However, you can also apply this benefit towards Global Entry. Some, therefore, will reimburse your Global Entry fee to the tune of $85—the cost of applying for TSA PreCheck. These cards include the HSBC Premier World MasterCard, Truist’s Travel Rewards Business and Enjoy Travel Cards. Some credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and the Bank of America Premium rewards card, limit their Global Entry benefit up to $100.
The TSA maintains a complete list of PreCheck partners cards on its websiteIf you want to know if Global Entry is compatible with your PreCheck card, then it’s best to start there.
