This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. For more information check out our Advertising Disclosure. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Whether I'm heading off somewhere fun or returning home from a trip abroad, waiting in a ridiculously long line at the airport is the last thing I want to do. Lucky for me – and you! – there are a handful of credit cards that will cover the cost of either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (or both) … and not just the top-dollar premium travel cards with high annual fees, either.

TSA PreCheck gets me in a faster airport security lane, where I can keep my liquids and electronics in my bag – and, most importantly, keep my shoes on. And Global Entry takes the pain out of returning to the states with a fast-track lane through customs and immigration. They cost $78 and $100 for a five-year membership, respectively – but Global Entry is a two-for-one program: It comes with PreCheck benefits, too.

More and more travel cards have added credits that cover the cost of either program, including some popular, entry-level options with annual fees of $100 or less. Why not make your travels faster, smoother, and more efficient with this valuable credit card perk? Especially if it's a relatively cheap one you've already got in your wallet.

Check out our roundup of the most cost-effective ways to get Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or both.

In this post TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry A Primer on TSA PreCheck What is Global Entry? The Best, Cheap Credit Cards That Cover Global Entry or PreCheck The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card The United Explorer Card The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card The Bank of America Premium Rewards Card Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card The Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry A Primer onTSA PreCheck It’s not just the shorter, faster line that makes TSA PreCheck invaluable for travelers.

You also get to leave your shoes, a belt, and a light jacket on. Your laptop and the carry-on approved liquids in your bag can also stay put as you put them through the baggage screeners. Your first time going through the TSA PreCheck line, you’ll wonder why you didn’t join the program sooner.

One catch is that TSA PreCheck only partners with specific airlines, so you may not always get that quick pass through security. However, all major domestic airlines and even many small U.S. carriers are included. More international airlines are joining the program each year. All told, nearly 90 airlines currently participate in TSA PreCheck.

Signing up for TSA PreCheck is pretty straightforward. You’ll fill out a quick application and pay the fee. From there, you will head to a certified enrollment center for a short interview (bring your passport!), fingerprinting, and a photo. If everything checks out, you should get the OK within a week or two.

After you’ve been approved, you have one critical step: Make sure you add your new Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline profile and that TSA PreCheck is on your boarding pass. That’s the key to getting through TSA PreCheck.

TSA PreCheck costs $78 for a five-year membership – and now just $70 for online renewals.

Thrifty Tip: Don't see the PreCheck logo on your boarding pass? DM your airline and see if they can sort it out for you!

Read our full guide on TSA PreCheck!

What is Global Entry? Global Entry is a two-for-one: a fast pass through immigration when you re-enter the United States and a membership in the TSA PreCheck program, too.

So, while it costs a bit more, $100 for a five-year membership, it is the no-brainer choice for most travelers with international travel plans. The one hitch? Backlogs in processing applications and trouble securing the final in-person interview to wrap up your enrollment often mean it can take many months to get signed up for a Global Entry membership.

But once you've got that membership, it's invaluable.

Instead of waiting in massive lines for customs and immigration upon your return, you get access to a dedicated lane where members usually snap a quick selfie at one of the Global Entry kiosks or via the newGlobal Entry smartphone app. After that, you just walk over to an immigration agent, who confirms your information and allows you to walk through. The entire process usually takes less than two minutes without any pause!

So, even if you travel internationally just once during the year,Global Entry isthe easy choice over PreCheck.

Read our guide on Global Entry!

The Best, Cheap Credit Cards That Cover Global Entry or PreCheck From cards with fees under $100 to the top-dollar premium cards that cost almost $700, plenty of popular travel cards will cover the cost in either airport program. But we're focusing on the cheapest options from banks like Capital One, Chase, American Express, and even Bank of America.

Pay for either membership with one of these cards, and you're set – a credit will work once every four years, helping you keep your membership current. If you've already got PreCheck or Global Entry, you can even use these credits to sign up a friend or family member at no cost!

Just remember to keep your expiration date in mind and renew before it lapses every five years. Since most cards offer this benefit once every four years, you should be set to keep your membership active.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card First on our list is the *capital one venture card*. This incredibly popular travel card has an annual fee of only $95, which you'll be on the hook for right away in year one.

But even for that modest annual fee, you get a credit of up to $100 to cover a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. Pay for your membership fee in either program with your Venture Card, and you're set.

You'll earn a flat 2x Capital One Miles for every dollar you spend, making this a solid card for your everyday spending to keep racking up miles. Venture cardholders receive two complimentary Capital One Lounge visits per calendar year and a discounted rate of $45 per visit after that. Unfortunately, Capital One is cutting complimentary lounge visits for Venture cardholders at the end of 2024.

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Learn more about the *capital one venture card*

The United Explorer Card The *united explorer* is another great, cheap option to get signed up for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. If you're a frequent United flyer, this card makes sense.

In fact, it's one of the cheapest ways on the list to get Global Entry or PreCheck through a credit card. The card has an annual fee of $95, but that's waived for the first year of card membership.

The United Explorer card also earns 2x points per dollar spent on purchases at United, restaurants, delivery services, and hotel stays.If you pay for your flight with your United card, you'll alsoget your first checked bag free. You'll also get priority boarding privileges and two, one-time passes to the United Club lounge each year on your cardmember anniversary – passes that normally cost $50.

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Learn more about the *united explorer*.

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card The *ihg rewards club premier* is another great option, especially if you often stay at IHG properties. On top of that application credit to cover the cost of TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, the card offers a free night each year on your cardmember anniversary for properties that cost 40,000 points or fewer. See our post on the best ways to use the IHG free night certificate.

As soon as you get the card, you will also automatically receive IHG Platinum Elite Status. Platinum Elite status with IHG offers complimentary room upgrades when available and a 50% point bonus on paid reservations. It also guarantees room availability, priority check-in, and free late checkout.

You will earn up to 26x points per dollar spent at IHG hotels, 5x points per dollar spent on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 3x points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. You can currently earn 5 Free Nights (up to 300,000 total bonus points) after spending $4,000 on purchases on the card in the first three months from account opening.

The card has an annual fee of $99, which isn't waived for the first year.

Learn more about the *ihg rewards club premier*.

The Bank of America Premium Rewards Card The *BoAPremRewards* is a solid cashback option if redeeming points and miles is not your jam. Like other cards on this list, it comes with just a $95 annual fee – though that's also not waived in the first year.

In addition to the $100 TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credit you can use, you also get a bonus $100 for airline incidental fees like seat upgrades, baggage, in-flight purchases, and lounges. That's pretty well-rounded for a cheap cashback card.

You'll earn 2x points for every dollar spent on travel and dining, with a base unlimited 1.5x points earned on all other purchases. You could redeem these points only as cashback or through the Bank of America Travel Center. You can currently earn a welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Alright, this one isn't exactly cheap. At $350 a year (see rates fees), the *delta skymiles platinum card* is the most expensive card on this list, by far.

But plenty of diehard Delta flyers out there have this card in their wallets without realizing that it can also unlock complimentary TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Pay for your application with your SkyMiles Platinum Card and you're set – a credit will kick in to cover the entire cost.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card also comes with other great benefits, like free checked luggage on every Delta flight, priority boarding, and a15% discount any time you redeem Delta SkyMiles on an award ticket.Starting in your second year with the card, you get one of the best perks: a freeDelta companion certificate for a buy-one-get-one flight to destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Are you consideringditching your SkyMiles Platinum Card after Delta made it harder to earn Medallion status and nixed Sky Club access starting next year? We don't blame you. Just be sure to apply this credit of up to $100 and get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck before you cancel or downgrade the card.

Learn more about the *delta skymiles platinum card*

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business Card For business owners, the *CapOne Spark Miles* is one of the cheapest options on the list to get Global Entry or PreCheck through a credit card. The card has an annual fee of $95, but that's waived for the first year of card membership.

New applicants can currently earn 50,000 Capital One Miles after spending just $4,500 in the first three months of card membership.

Learn more about the *CapOne Spark Miles*

Bottom Line Still rushing to the airport early to get ahead of the general security line? Those days are over – or at least they should be.

Many popular travel credit cards with annual fees of $100 or less can get you TSA PreCheck or Global Entry at no additional cost, smoothing your trip at your home airport and making for a seamless return to the U.S.