Key takeaways
- TSA PreCheck is a trusted traveler program offering expedited airport screening to members.
- Memberships for TSA PreCheck start at $77 and are good for five years.
- Several credit cards can help you get TSA PreCheck for free, usually through a statement credit toward the application costs.
- Choosing the right credit card for TSA PreCheck depends on a number of factors — including the card’s annual fee, earning potential and other benefits.
No one wants to deal with the inconvenience of long lines — or removing belts, shoes and jackets — every time you have a flight to catch. Instead, you can take a leisurely stroll through airport security by enrolling in TSA PreCheck. This trusted traveler program allows people to access a separate security line at the airport and eliminates some of the hassles involved in clearing airport security… for a price.
A TSA PreCheck membership costs $77 and remains valid for five years, so it’s relatively affordable. However, you may get that fee back if you have one of the top travel credit cards. Many of these cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee by granting a credit of up to $120. That means you can make the most of your card benefits and offset part of your annual fee by learning how to get TSA PreCheck with your credit card.
How does TSA PreCheck work?
TSA PreCheck is an official trusted traveler program set up through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It requires you to go through a short online application and in-person interview where you’ll be fingerprinted and have your photo taken.
After you’re approved, you’ll have access to dedicated security lines and expedited security procedures at many U.S. airports, allowing you to skip taking off your shoes and keep your laptop and travel-sized liquids in your bag. Plus, you’ll keep your wait time to a minimum since 99 percent of TSA PreCheck members wait less than 10 minutes to make it through security, according to the TSA.
Lead credit cards writer at Bankrate Ana Staples makes use of her TSA PreCheck membership regularly.
“PreCheck is such a time saver! I haven’t spent more than 10 minutes in an airport security line since I got it.”
— Ana StaplesLead writer, Bankrate
If you’re more of an international traveler, you might consider getting Global Entry — which includes TSA PreCheck — and helps you speed through customs when re-entering the country. That’s how Staples got her TSA PreCheck membership, although Global Entry membership does require a more extensive process than getting TSA PreCheck on its own.
How to get TSA PreCheck free with a credit card
There are several ways a credit card can help you get TSA PreCheck for free:
- The easiest way is by paying for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application with a card that reimburses it. You’ll automatically receive a statement credit to cover the cost.
- You could use the rewards you’ve earned through an airline or hotel loyalty program to pay for it.
- You could use your credit card rewards to cover the fee.
Using a statement credit to get TSA PreCheck
Nearly 40 credit cards offer an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and that includes business credit cards and co-branded airline and hotel credit cards. However, it is important to note that most travel credit cards that cover TSA PreCheck come with an annual fee of anywhere from $95 to $695.
While there are travel credit cards with no annual fee, it’s uncommon for them to include a TSA PreCheck benefit. That said, occasionally you may be able to find a travel card with this benefit and no annual fee — but there will likely be a catch.
For example, the Capital One Spark Miles for Business card, which comes with no annual fee the first year, offers an up to $120 reimbursement credit for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck every four years. However, this card charges a $95 annual fee every year thereafter.
Using a loyalty program to get TSA PreCheck
Many airline and hotel loyalty programs allow you to redeem the rewards you earn for TSA PreCheck. Some of these programs include:
- IHG® One Rewards
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Orbitz Rewards Platinum Members
- Southwest Airlines More Rewards
- United Mileage Plus
However, this method usually isn’t the best option since you’ll typically spend $100 or more in rewards — which is more than the cost of a TSA PreCheck membership. If you have a bank of points or miles that are about to expire, then it could be a decent option. These loyalty programs also occasionally offer promotions and deals on TSA PreCheck which may help you to get a discounted membership or a free membership with certain levels of elite status.
Using credit card rewards to get TSA PreCheck
If you’re not interested in a travel credit card or paying an annual fee, rewards from one of the top cash back cards could help you cover your TSA PreCheck fee. These credit cards allow you to earn rewards or welcome bonuses that you can then redeem as statement credits to cover your TSA PreCheck application.
Bankrate’s take: If you travel internationally and would like to shorten your trips through customs, consider applying for Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck. Global Entry includes all the benefits of TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs screening for travelers entering the United States, and membership costs $120 for five years.
Which credit card with TSA PreCheck credits is right for you?
When determining which travel credit card is right for you, take a few factors into account, including the card’s
- annual fee
- general rewards structure
- additional benefits
You’ll also want to think about how it fits into your current spending habits and lifestyle. If a particular card is only appealing because it pays for TSA PreCheck, then you should consider a different card that better aligns with your spending habits and interests — even if that card is just a general rewards card that will help you to earn enough cash back to cover the application fee.
Keep in mind that many business, airline and hotel credit cards offer a TSA PreCheck benefit. If you own a business, you may want to consider a general business travel credit card (which offers more flexibility) or a credit card for an airline or hotel that you use frequently (which will offer airline- or hotel-specific perks).
Even if you don’t own a business, an airline or hotel credit card could be a great option if you are a fan of a particular airline or hotel chain. This type of credit card could help you to save on bookings and fees, gain numerous travel benefits, achieve elite status and earn rewards faster — which you can then use for free flights or hotels.
Top credit cards that offer TSA PreCheck
Here are the top travel credit cards that offer an application fee credit for TSA PreCheck — including entry-level, luxury, business and airline travel cards.
Each of these cards have their own strengths and weaknesses, so you’ll want to consider what each one offers before moving forward with an application. Here’s how the top cards stack up against each other:
| TSA PreCheck Credit | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer | Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | Up to $120 credit toward application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (once every four years) | $95 | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in first three months after account opening | 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 2X miles on all other purchases |
| Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | Up to $100 credit toward application fee for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS (once every four years) | $199 | 80,000 points after spending $5,000 in first three months after account opening | 4X points on Southwest purchases; 3X points with hotel and car rental partners; 2X points on rideshare; 2X points social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services; 1X points on all other purchases |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Up to $120 credit toward application fee for Global Entry (once every four years) or $85 credit for TSA PreCheck (every four and a half years) | $350 | 90,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months | 3X miles on Delta purchases and direct hotel bookings; 2X miles at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets; 1X miles on all other eligible purchases |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Up to $120 credit toward application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (once every four years) | $395 | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening | 10X miles on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel; 2X miles on all other purchases |
The bottom line
If you want to get TSA PreCheck for free, there are a lot of credit cards out there that can help you cover the cost. Whether you choose a card that reimburses your TSA PreCheck fee or a card that helps you earn rewards to cover the fee, you’ll have plenty of options to save on the cost of your TSA PreCheck membership. And once you’ve got that TSA PreCheck stamp on your boarding pass, you’ll be able to save time (and effort) at the airport.
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