Credit Cards with TSA Precheck/Global Entry Credits and CLEAR Credits
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One of my favorite “easy wins” in the points world? Letting your credit cards pay for airport fast passes.
Did you know… many credit cards have credits that cover Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and even CLEAR.
What is The Difference in These Programs?
- TSA PreCheck: A separate line with less hassle for the screening (usually you don’t have to take out liquids, laptops, or remove shoes) and lines are usually shorter (but not always)
- Global Entry: Everything TSA PreCheck does plus faster customs when returning from other countries.
- Clear: Biometric ID verification, using your fingerprint or eyes, allowing you to go directly to the screening and skip the verification line
👉 Key difference:
- TSA PreCheck / Global Entry = government programs
- CLEAR = private biometric service
Using both together?
Next-level efficiency. CLEAR plus TSA PreCheck can be VERY speedy route through security.
Credit Cards That Cover Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
This benefit is everywhere now—and it’s one of the easiest perks to use.
Many premium (and even some mid-tier) travel cards will reimburse your application fee—usually up to $120 every 4–5 years.
Some of my favorites:
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
75K bonus miles
Earn a one-time bonus of 75K miles once you spend $4K within first 3 months from account opening
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
75,000 miles
Earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
150K Chase Points
Earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first 3 months from account opening.
American Express Platinum Card®
As High As 175,000 points
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12K in first 6 months of account opening
See the entire list on the TSA site, here.
Important:
You only get one credit per cycle—so if you use it for TSA PreCheck, you can’t also use it for Global Entry during that same window.
👉 Pro Tip:
If you ever travel internationally, just get Global Entry. It includes TSA PreCheck automatically, so you’re getting more value for the same credit.
Credit Cards That Cover CLEAR
CLEAR is a different animal—and fewer cards cover it.
American Express Platinum Card®
As High As 175,000 points
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12K in first 6 months of account opening
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
As High As 300,000 points
As high as 300K points after spending $20K on your new Card in your first 3 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and American Express Green Card
These typically offer up to $209 per year in credits for CLEAR membership.
Some airline cards (like United/Delta) don’t fully cover it—but they discount the membership.
Which One Is Actually Worth It?
Here’s the simple breakdown:
- Global Entry → best overall (includes PreCheck + speeds up customs)
- TSA PreCheck → great for domestic-only travelers
- CLEAR → best for busy airports when lines are insane
Stacking them = chef’s kiss.
CLEAR + TSA PreCheck is the fastest combo through security right now.
The “Hidden” Hack: Airport Reservation Programs
This is the one almost no one talks about.
Some airports now let you reserve a security time slot for free—no status, no membership.
- Denver (DEN Reserve)
- Orlando (MCO Reserve)
- Seattle (SEA Spot Saver)
- Phoenix (PHX Reserve)
- Dallas Love Field (DAL Reserve)
- Minneapolis (MSP Reserve)
- JFK
- Newark
👉 Translation:
If you don’t travel often, this can replace CLEAR entirely.
Quick Note on Touchless ID (This Is Growing Fast)
Airports are rolling out touchless / biometric ID screening.
And I’m not kidding, this is elite. The few times we’ve done it, it’s unbelievably fast. There’s discussion on if kids under 18 have this option – I will tell you so far we’ve had no issues with my 14 year old accessing it.
Instead of showing your ID, you:
- Look at a camera
- It matches your face to your passport or TSA profile
Access: Touchless ID isn’t something you sign up for once—you opt in through the airline you’re flying (inside your profile), and you’ll need to do that for each airline you use, but only once per airline. You also need to be TSA PreCheck and have a valid passport saved in your airline profile for it to work.
👉 Why it matters:
This could eventually reduce the need for CLEAR in some airports.
Final Take
If you have the right cards, you should never be paying out of pocket for these:
- Use your credit card credit → get Global Entry
- Add CLEAR if your card covers it
- Use reservation programs when available
It’s one of those small things that makes travel feel way more “first class”… without actually paying for first class.
