Introduction
Waiting in line can be a frustrating experience, but there is a way to expedite the process at airport security checkpoints. TSA PreCheck members, Global Entry members, and CLEAR Plus members can bypass lengthy entry wait lines by utilizing dedicated kiosks for identity verification.
In this article, we’ll explain Global Entry, why it’s a must-have for anyone who loves their time, and how you can pay for it with a travel rewards card.
What Is Global Entry?
The Global Entry program, one of five trusted Traveller Programs by the United States Customs and Border Protection, enables individuals to return to the United States without waiting in an extended period of time. To join, individuals must pay a $100 fee, complete and submit their application, and attend an interview at a local enrolment centre. Upon approval, membership is valid for five years.
By joining Global Entry, travellers can bypass lengthy lines and be directed to an accelerated section with a dedicated kiosk for scanning passports, taking photographs, verifying identity, and obtaining printed forms. They can quickly jump to the top of the customs queue, answer queries, and be off to their next destination in as little as five minutes. Global Entry members are eligible for TSA PreCheck, which expedites security screening when flying within or outside the United States. The TSA reports that 94% of PreCheck members complete their screening in less than five minutes.
Thus, joining Global Entry is an excellent option for reducing airport waiting time and maximizing travel opportunities.
Credit Cards That Cover the Cost of Global Entry
30+ credit cards are available that offer Global Entry credit. Below is a synopsis of these most popular cards. Also, an analysis of each credit card’s Global Entry credit offer to help you make an informed decision.
American Express
The Platinum Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 5x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel
- 5x points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 3x miles per $1 on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels
- 2x miles per $1 at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
- 1x mile per $1 for all other eligible purchases
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 3x miles per $1 on Delta purchases and eligible hotel purchases
- 1.5x miles per $1 on purchases of $5,000 or more
- 1x mile per $1 everywhere else
Delta SkyMiles
Reserve Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 3x miles per $1 on Delta purchases
- 1x mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Reserve Business Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 3x miles per $1 on Delta purchases
- 1x mile per $1 on all purchases
- 1.5x miles per $1 on all purchases after spending $150,000 on the card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 6x points per $1 on Marriott stays
- 3x points per $1 at U.S. restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines
- 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 5x points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels booked on Amex Travel
- 1.5x points per $1 on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year)
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Bank of America
Premium Rewards Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $95
Card Earnings:
- 2x points per $1 on all travel and dining purchases
- 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
Barclays
Mastercard Black Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $495
Card Earnings:
- 1x point per $1 on all purchases
Mastercard Gold Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $995
Card Earnings:
- 1x point per $1 on all purchases
Capital One
Spark Miles for Business & Capital One Venture Rewards Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 5x miles per $1 on hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles per $1 on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Chase
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals if purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 5x points on air travel if purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x points on all other travel
- 1x point on all other purchases
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card & IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- Up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5 points per $1 spent on purchases of travel, gas stations, and restaurants
- 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- Up to 26 points total per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- 5 points per $1 spent on purchases of travel, gas stations, restaurants, and select business purchases
- 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Aeroplan Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 3x points per $1 on dining, grocery stores, and Air Canada
- 2x points per $1 on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 4x points on Southwest purchases
- 3x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car partners
- 2x points on rideshare, social media and search engine advertising, and internet, cable, and phone services
- 1x point on all other purchases
United Club
Infinite Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 4x miles per $1 on United purchases
- 2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
- 1x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Explorer Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 2x miles per $1 on United purchases, restaurants, and hotel stays
- 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
Quest Card
Global Entry Benefit: Up to $100 statement credit every 4 years
Card Earnings:
- 3x miles per $1 on United purchases
- 2x miles per $1 on travel, dining, and streaming services
- 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
Citibank
Citi Prestige Card
Currently, not available for new applicants.
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 5 years, generally 1 year less than most cards
Card Earnings:
- 5x points per $1 on airfare and dining purchases
- 3x points per $1 with hotels and cruise lines
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
The Citi Prestige card Global Entry memberships are valid for 5 years.
Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 5 years
Card Earnings:
- 2x miles per $1 on American Airlines purchases
- 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
Expedia Rewards Voyager Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every year
Annual Fee: $95
Card Earnings:
- 4x points per $1 on Expedia purchases
- 2x points per $1 at restaurants and on entertainment
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
City National Bank
Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $400
Card Earnings:
- 3x points per $1 on travel, transit, and dining purchases
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
HSBC
Premier World Elite Mastercard Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4.5 years
Annual Fee: $395
Card Earnings:
- 3x points per $1 on airfare, hotels, and car rentals
- 2x points per $1 on dining purchases
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Navy Federal Credit Union
Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $49
Card Earnings:
- 3x points per $1 on travel
- 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
PenFed Credit Union
Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $95
Card Earnings:
- 3x points per $1 on all travel purchases
- 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
Provident Credit Union
Provident World+ Travel Visa Signature Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $45, waived the first year
Card Earnings:
- 2x points per $1 on all travel purchases
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
SunTrust
Travel Rewards Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 5 years
Annual Fee: $89
Card Earnings:
- 3% cash-back on travel purchases
- 2% cash-back on dining purchases
- 1% cash-back on all other purchases
Truist Enjoy Travel Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: $85 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $0
Card Earnings:
- 2x miles per $1 on airfare, hotels, and car rentals
- 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $495
Card Earnings:
- 3x points per $1 on airfare
- 2x points per $1 on gas and groceries
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
U.S. Bank
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $450
Card Earnings:
- 2x miles per $1 on airfare, car rentals, and hotels
- 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 4 years
Annual Fee: $400
Card Earnings:
- 5x points per $1 on hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
- 3x points per $1 on travel purchases and mobile wallet spending
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
FlexPerks Gold American Express®
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 5 years
Annual Fee: $85
Card Earnings:
- 5x points per $1 on hotels and car rentals booked directly in the FlexPerks Rewards Center
- 3x points per $1 at restaurants
- 2x point per $1 on airfare and at gas stations
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Citibank
Citi Prestige Card
At present, this card is no longer available for new applicants.
Global Entry Benefit: $100 statement credit every 5 years
Card Earnings:
- 5x points per $1 on airfare and dining purchases
- 3x points per $1 with hotels and cruise lines
- 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
Amex Platinum Card: Our Top Pick for the Best Card That Offers a Global Entry Credit
Amex Platinum card is our go-to card for Global Entry. Not only does it give you a credit for Global Entry, but it’s also the best card for airport lounges. You can use it to visit Centurion Lounge, International American Express Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, Delta Sky Club (on same-day flights), Escape Lounge, Virgin Clubhouse, Lufthansa Lounge (same-day flights), and Priority Pass Lounge upon enrolment. Plus, you get $200 of airline fee credit every year, $200 of Uber credit every year and $100 of Saks Fifth Avenue Credit every year.
Final Considerations
There’s no shortage of cards that can cover your Global Entry application fee between $78 and $100. If you’re looking for a better airport experience that drastically reduces your wait times when you’re clearing security and customs, then Global Entry is the way to go.