If you’re traveling by air within the United States, TSA PreCheck® can speed your trip through security and make your travels just a bit more pleasant. With TSA PreCheck, you can receive expedited security screening at most U.S. airports.
But TSA PreCheck requires an enrollment fee that might dissuade you from signing up for the program. Fortunately, many popular travel credit cards offer a statement credit if you charge your TSA PreCheck enrollment fee to your card—effectively making TSA PreCheck free!
Here are the cards that offer a credit for your TSA PreCheck enrollment fee plus what you need to know about getting TSA PreCheck for free.
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Cards that offer a credit for your TSA PreCheck enrollment fee
These cards offer a credit for your TSA PreCheck® enrollment fee, plus credits for some additional trusted traveler programs. Terms apply to all benefits. See your card’s Guide to Benefits for additional details and restrictions.
| Card | Credit Details | |
|---|---|---|
 | Aeroplan® Credit Card Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. |
 | Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. |
 | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. |
 | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Annual fee: annual_fees Card overview | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. |
 | Chase Sapphire Reserve® Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. |
 | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. |
 | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) Compare all Delta credit cards | All Delta credit card welcome bonuses | Up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck. Once every 4.5 years. Or receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry once every 4 years. |
 | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) Compare all Delta credit cards | All Delta credit card welcome bonuses | Up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck. Once every 4.5 years. Or receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry once every 4 years. |
 | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) Compare all Delta credit cards | All Delta credit card welcome bonuses | Up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck. Once every 4.5 years. Or receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry once every 4 years. |
 | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) Compare all Delta credit cards | All Delta credit card welcome bonuses | Up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck. Once every 4.5 years. Or receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry once every 4 years. |
 | IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. |
 | The Platinum Card® from American Express Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | Up to $85 credit for TSA PreCheck. Once every 4.5 years. Or receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry once every 4 years. |
 | United℠ Explorer Card Annual fee: annual_fees Review | Welcome bonus | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. |
 | United Quest℠ Card Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. |
 | United Club℠ Infinite Card Annual fee: annual_fees | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. |
 | U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card Annual fee: $0 Card overview | Welcome bonus | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. |
 | U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card Annual fee: $400 Card overview | Up to $100 credit. Once every 4 years. Valid for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. |
How to get TSA PreCheck for free
If your credit card offers a TSA PreCheck credit, you can usually just charge your TSA PreCheck enrollment fee to your card. Within a few days or weeks, you will receive a statement credit for the amount of your enrollment fee (up to the maximum amount of your card’s credit.)
Applying for TSA PreCheck is a simple process. Here’s what you need to do:
- Find a convenient enrollment provider at the TSA’s website.
- Pre-enroll online through the enrollment provider’s website (links are on the TSA website) and schedule an appointment at an enrollment center.
- Visit an enrollment center with your identification documents to complete your application.
- Charge your TSA PreCheck enrollment fee to your card that offers a credit for TSA PreCheck.
Should you get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
In the table of cards that offers a TSA PreCheck credit, we’ve included information about credits for Global Entry as well. Global Entry enables expedited customs clearance at many ports of entry into the United States.
Global Entry gives you TSA PreCheck as part of your membership, so if you ever travel internationally, it might be worth applying for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck.
The downsides to applying for Global Entry are a higher application fee (currently $100, but will increase to $120 on October 1, 2024) and more limited appointment slots at Global Entry enrollment centers. While you can do you in-person interview upon your return to the U.S. at many ports of entry, going that route means you won’t get your PreCheck membership until after you complete an international trip.
If you travel internationally with some frequency, consider applying for Global Entry rather than TSA PreCheck.
Other things to know about TSA PreCheck credits
Here are a few other things you need to know about credit card TSA PreCheck credits. These are general guidelines that apply to most cards. Your card’s Guide to Benefits will have the details on the terms that apply to your specific card.
- You can get one credit every 4 to 4.5 years. In most cases, card terms allow you to earn only one credit. If a credit is “up to” $100, and you charge two $85 PreCheck enrollment fees, you’ll usually only receive one credit.
- Paying the fee doesn’t guarantee approval. You can be disqualified for PreCheck or global entry for a long list of reasons. If you’re denied PreCheck or Global Entry membership, your fee will be reimbursed by your eligible card regardless of your approval status.
- You must charge the enrollment fee directly to your card. Your card will reimburse a TSA PreCheck membership fee only if it is charged to your card by a qualifying enrollment provider.
Bottom line on TSA PreCheck credits
If you travel even occasionally, getting expedited security screening with TSA PreCheck can save you time and hassle at U.S. airports. Chances are that one of the travel credit cards you already have offers a credit for TSA PreCheck and all you need to do is charge your application fee or your renewal fee to your card to receive a reimbursement.
