Does USAA pay for TSA PreCheck?

All USAA credit cards require good credit or better for approval, so they are all equally easy (or hard) to get. That doesn’t necessarily make USAA credit cards easy for anyone to get, though, because the average credit score is right on the edge of good credit. USAA does not currently issue any credit cards for people with less-than-good credit.… read full answer

USAA Credit Card Requirements for Approval

• USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card: requires excellent credit or better
• USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card: requires excellent credit or better
• USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card: requires excellent credit or better
• USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card: requires good credit or better
• USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card: requires excellent credit or better

The American Airlines credit cards that offer a Global Entry benefit are the AAdvantage Executive and AAdvantage Aviator Silver cards. Cardholders receive a $100 credit every 5 years that covers the cost of the Global Entry application fee when charged to either card. Global Entry is a federal program that allows U.S. citizens expedited entry back into the country after traveling abroad. If your application is approved, membership is valid for 5 years, but then you must re-apply to remain in the program.… read full answer

The American Airlines credit card Global Entry credit should post to the account 8-10 weeks after the application fee is charged to an Executive or Aviator Silver card. After 5 years, you’ll be eligible for another $100 credit which you can apply to a future Global Entry application. Authorized users are not eligible for the fee credit.

If you have the AAdvantage Executive card, you may opt to apply for TSA PreCheck instead. This is a separate federal program that speeds up security screenings for members when departing from select U.S. airports. You’ll be reimbursed for the $85 application fee, which includes a five-year membership, if approved. It’s very important that you’re aware that you can only receive one application fee credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck during the same five-year period.

Some of the best TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit cards that pay cardholders’ application fees are the American Express Platinum card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Citi Prestige® Card. In addition to a rebate for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees, worth $85 to $100 once every 4-5 years, those cards offer excellent travel rewards and various other benefits. Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum card provide free airport lounge access, too, for example.… read full answer

Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are both programs that speed up the airport security process. Global Entry makes it easy to re-enter the U.S. by airport, and TSA PreCheck is intended for domestic airport travel.

If you travel a lot, it’s a no-brainer to sign up for one of these programs. And if you’re already planning on signing up, it’s an excellent extra benefit to look for in a credit card.

Here’s a list of credit cards that pay for Global Entry or TSA Precheck applications:

• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
• BB&T Spectrum Travel Rewards
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Certain American Express Credit Cards
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Commerce Bank World Elite Mastercard
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Citi Prestige® Card
• Diners Club Carte Blanche Charge Card
• Expedia Voyager Credit Card
• HSBC Premier World Credit Card
• IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
• Mastercard® Black Card
• Mastercard® Gold Card
• Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Credit Card
• PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® Card
• Provident World+ Travel®
• Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
• UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card
• United Club Infinite Credit Card
• United Explorer Credit Card
• U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

It’s important to keep in mind that when your credit card offers Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, usually you will have to pick one or the other. After you sign up through the Trusted Traveler Program website, pay the fee ($100 for Global Entry, $85 for TSA PreCheck) with your credit card, and you’ll be automatically reimbursed for the fee on your statement. Most credit cards that offer this benefit will only reimburse one fee every 5 years, so choose wisely. Because Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, it’s often best to just get Global Entry to cover all bases.