How to Get Free Global Entry with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has been a popular choice among travelers for many years, thanks to its array of travel benefits and rewards. With an annual fee of $95, cardholders can enjoy earning points on travel and access to complimentary trip cancellation and interruption insurance.\

However, if you’re specifically looking for a card that covers your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, you might need to explore other options. While some travel rewards cards offer this benefit, the Chase Sapphire Preferred currently does not provide reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. But that doesn’t mean the card doesn’t have its merits for travelers.

Let’s delve into the basics of the Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs and how your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card can still prove beneficial when applying for either of these trusted traveler programs.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offer Global Entry?

Chase Sapphire Preferred does not include a Global Entry credit among its benefits. However, if you are considering other Chase cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers reimbursement for the Global Entry application fee.

To apply for Global Entry, you will need to pay an application fee of $100. When using the Chase Sapphire Reserve to cover this fee, cardholders can receive a statement credit of up to $100 once every four years. Keep in mind that the Chase Sapphire Reserve has a higher annual fee of $550, which is over five times the cost of the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s $95 annual fee.

What are the benefits of Global Entry?

Global Entry is a program managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that offers expedited processing for travelers. To apply, there is a $100 nonrefundable fee, but once approved, your Global Entry membership is valid for five years.

One of the main benefits of Global Entry is skipping the long customs line when returning to the U.S. from an international trip. Instead, members can use the Global Entry kiosks for faster processing. Moreover, even if you don’t travel internationally frequently, the program includes TSA PreCheck, which allows you to use dedicated security lines at most domestic airports for quicker security checks.

For travelers who anticipate going abroad at least once during the five-year membership, applying to Global Entry makes sense, considering it also includes TSA PreCheck. While the TSA PreCheck application fee is cheaper at $78, paying the $22 difference for Global Entry grants access to both domestic and international travel benefits.

Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offer TSA PreCheck?

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and TSA PreCheck: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card does not include TSA PreCheck as a direct benefit. If you’re interested in TSA PreCheck, you’ll need to apply for it separately, and the application fee is $78 for five years. Although the card doesn’t offer reimbursement for TSA PreCheck, you might still consider getting it, as the effective cost is approximately $15 per year.

Chase Sapphire Reserve for Travel Perks: Another option to consider is the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which comes with a higher annual fee of $550. However, this luxury travel card provides a statement credit of up to $100 every four years. You can use this credit for either Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees. This benefit might make the Chase Sapphire Reserve a more attractive choice for frequent travelers.

Evaluate Your Travel Needs: Before deciding between the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, take some time to assess your travel habits and preferences. Consider factors like how frequently you travel, which airlines you use, and whether you value luxury travel perks. It’s essential to choose a card that aligns with your lifestyle and offers the most relevant benefits for your needs.

Maximizing Card Benefits: Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Sapphire Reserve come with various travel and dining rewards. Besides TSA PreCheck or Global Entry benefits, they offer points earning potential, travel insurance, and redemption options. By understanding the unique advantages of each card and utilizing their benefits to the fullest, you can make the most of your credit card choice and enhance your overall travel experience.

What are the benefits of TSA Precheck?

TSA PreCheck is a convenient service available at over 200 airports throughout the United States. With TSA PreCheck, travelers can enjoy dedicated security lanes, allowing them to breeze through the security process with ease. Unlike regular security lines, PreCheck allows you to keep your belt, jacket, and shoes on, and you can leave your laptop and liquids in your carry-on bag during screening.

Recently, in March 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) released statistics indicating that an impressive 89% of TSA PreCheck holders experienced wait times of less than 5 minutes at airport security checkpoints. This high efficiency makes TSA PreCheck an excellent option for travelers seeking to avoid long and time-consuming security lines, making their journey smoother and more convenient.

The process to obtain TSA PreCheck is relatively straightforward. After submitting your application, you will be required to attend a quick, 10-minute in-person interview. Once approved, you will be assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN). This KTN is crucial, as you will need to provide it during your airline booking to take advantage of the TSA PreCheck benefits. By including your KTN in the booking process, you can ensure a seamless and expedited security experience at the airport.

How taking advantage of the Chase Sapphire Preferred’s welcome bonus can pay for Global Entry 

Considering the affordable travel card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers an attractive deal for new applicants. By spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account, you can earn 60,000 points.

These Ultimate Rewards® points come with a variety of redemption options. One option is to get reimbursed for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee by using your points as a statement credit. Each Chase Ultimate Rewards point is worth 1 cent when redeemed for cash back as a direct deposit into your U.S. checking or savings account, or as a statement credit on your Chase Sapphire Preferred. This means that charging the $100 Global Entry application fee to your Chase Sapphire Preferred allows you to use 10,000 Ultimate Rewards points to offset the charge completely.

However, keep in mind that there are multiple ways to make the most out of your points. While the statement credit option is useful, you can achieve even greater value by booking travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where each point is worth 1.25 cents. Alternatively, you might find even higher value by leveraging Chase’s airline and hotel loyalty transfer partners. The key is to explore your options and choose the best redemption method based on your travel preferences and needs.

What other cards offer Global Entry fee reimbursement? 

While the Chase Sapphire Preferred does not offer Global Entry, there are other travel cards to consider — even with a similar $95 annual fee. Here’s a preview of some of the cards that come with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement.