While the value of Global Entry could also be rising, it won’t cost you an additional dime if you might have the appropriate travel rewards bank card.
Some major bank card providers are beefing up their travel rewards to offset the value hike of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “trusted traveler” programs. Starting Tuesday, the agency will charge an upfront fee of $120 for 3 popular expedited-clearance options — Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI — all of which include TSA PreCheck memberships for eligible applicants.
In response, American Express, Capital One and Chase told Money that they’re increasing their reimbursements for these travel programs from $100 to $120 on greater than two dozen travel cards total. Once CBP’s latest fee schedule is in effect, the bank card providers will apply an announcement credit of as much as $120 if a qualifying card was used to pay for an application.
Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI can be found to qualifying U.S. residents, residents and nationals who’re re-entering the country by land, sea or air — versus TSA PreCheck, which is solely for air travel originating from the U.S. While PreCheck is included in these three programs, a stand-alone membership is accessible for $78, which has not modified. Many other travel cards proceed to supply an announcement credit covering the fee of just TSA PreCheck.
All three card providers which might be boosting their reimbursement credit said the reward is redeemable every 4 years, which is good enough to cover the five-year membership term for CBP’s travel programs.
The worth hike by CBP is the primary one in 15 years. The agency said its current fees are “now not sufficient” to cover administration costs and that the upper price just isn’t intended to end in faster processing times, which usually range between six and 12 months but may take as much as two years.
These travel cards provides you with $120 to cover Global Entry fees
Not all travel bank cards will reimburse you for the fee of becoming a quote-unquote “trusted traveler.” Those that do offer the reward often charge annual fees starting from $95 to $700.
Here’s a take a look at the cards that Money confirmed will cover the brand new $120 trusted-traveler application fee.
15 travel cards from American Express
- The American Express Gold Corporate Card
- The Platinum Card
- The Platinum Card (for Goldman Sachs)
- The Platinum Card (for Morgan Stanley)
- The Platinum Card (for Charles Schwab)
- The American Express Corporate Platinum Card
- The American Express Business Platinum Card
- Centurion Card
- The American Express Corporate Centurion Card
- The American Express Business Centurion Card
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
- The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
- The Marriott Bonvoy Sensible American Express Card
9 travel cards from Chase
- Sapphire Reserve Card
- UnitedSM Explorer Card
- United Club Visa Infinite Card
- United Quest Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Aeroplan Card
- Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card
- JPMorgan Reserve Card
4 travel cards from Capital One
- Enterprise Rewards Card
- Enterprise X Rewards Card
- Enterprise X Business Card
- Spark Miles Card
Before the fee change, many cards offered $100 reimbursement credits. Not all of them are increasing their reimbursement to match the brand new $120 fee.
For instance, Bank of America’s Premium Rewards card comes with an announcement credit of as much as $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Under the brand new fee structure, that reimbursement wouldn’t cover the entire cost of Global Entry.
In April, when CBP annouced the fee changes, Bank of America told Money that it doesn’t have plans to extend its travel rewards to cover the brand new fees. The bank didn’t reply to a September follow-up request for comment.
More from Money:
You Can Now Renew Your Passport Online (but It Still Costs $130)
Travel Rewards Are Now an ‘Essential’ A part of Americans’ Vacation Budgets