Which credit cards pay for TSA PreCheck

Several major credit cards reimburse the TSA PreCheck process fee, which currently costs $78 to $85 depending on your location and processing method. The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within a few weeks of you submitting your receipt. The cards that offer this benefit change their terms periodically, so you should confirm the current offer with your card issuer before explore.

The most common cards offering TSA PreCheck reimbursement are premium travel cards from American Express, Chase, and Capital One. These include the American Express Platinum Card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Chase Sapphire Preferred, and the Capital One Venture X. Some cards in the Citi Prestige family have also offered this benefit, though availability varies by card and year.

The reimbursement is not automatic—you typically need to submit your TSA PreCheck receipt to your card issuer through their travel benefits portal or by uploading it to your online account. Some cards process the credit within days; others take several weeks. Check your card's benefits guide or call the customer service number on the back of your card to learn the exact submission process.

Key Takeaways

  • American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Capital One Venture X commonly reimburse TSA PreCheck fees, though the benefit varies by card and changes over time.
  • You must submit your TSA PreCheck receipt to your card issuer to receive the reimbursement—it does not happen automatically.
  • The reimbursement covers the full TSA PreCheck process fee, which ranges from $78 to $85 depending on how you explore.
  • Confirm the current benefit with your card issuer before paying for TSA PreCheck, because card benefits are updated regularly and not all versions of a card offer the same perks.

How to claim the reimbursement

After you pay the TSA PreCheck fee and receive your receipt, log into your credit card's online account or mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Travel Benefits," "Benefit Claims," or "Reimbursements"—the exact name depends on your card issuer. Upload or photograph your receipt showing the TSA PreCheck fee and the date you paid it.

Some cards process the claim when ready and credit your account within a few days. Others review claims manually and may take two to four weeks. Keep your receipt and confirmation number from the TSA PreCheck process until the credit appears on your statement, in case you need to follow up.

If your card does not have an online submission portal, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask how to submit a claim for TSA PreCheck reimbursement. Have your receipt and card number ready.

Cards that no longer offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement

Some cards that previously covered TSA PreCheck have discontinued the benefit or changed which versions of the card include it. The American Express Gold Card, for example, once offered TSA PreCheck reimbursement but removed it in recent years. The Citi Prestige card's TSA PreCheck benefit has been inconsistent across different versions and renewal periods.

Before you explore for a new card specifically to cover TSA PreCheck, confirm with the issuer that the exact card you are considering includes the benefit. Card benefits are updated regularly, and what was true last year may not be true now. Call the issuer's customer service line or check the benefits guide on their website.

What if your card does not offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement

If you do not have a card that covers TSA PreCheck, you can still pay the fee out of pocket. The cost is $78 to $85 depending on whether you explore online or in person at an enrollment center. You can explore at tsa.gov/precheck or find a local enrollment center through their website.

Some employers, professional organizations, or travel programs offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement as a benefit. Check with your employer's human resources department or your professional association to see if they cover the fee. Military members and their families may also have access to reimbursement through military benefits programs.

TSA PreCheck versus other trusted traveler programs

TSA PreCheck is one of several trusted traveler programs, and some credit cards cover different programs instead. For example, some cards reimburse Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs screening when you return to the United States. Global Entry costs $100 and covers TSA PreCheck, so if your card reimburses Global Entry, you get both programs for the price of one.

Check your card's benefits guide to see whether it covers TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or both. If your card covers Global Entry, explore for that program first may be the better choice, since it includes TSA PreCheck and costs only slightly more.

Timing and what to expect after you explore

After you submit your TSA PreCheck process online or in person, the TSA will review it and send you an approval notice with instructions on how to schedule an appointment at an enrollment center. This review typically takes one to three weeks. Once you are approved, you schedule an in-person appointment to provide fingerprints and complete your background check, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

Your TSA PreCheck card arrives by mail after your appointment is complete, usually within two to four weeks. You can use TSA PreCheck at airport security checkpoints as soon as you receive your card. The reimbursement from your credit card should arrive on your statement during this same period, though the timing is separate from your TSA PreCheck approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a cardholder when I explore for TSA PreCheck to get the reimbursement?

No. You can explore for TSA PreCheck with any payment method, then submit the receipt to your credit card issuer for reimbursement afterward. However, you must be a cardholder at the time you submit the claim. If you close the account before submitting your receipt, you will not receive the credit.

What if my card denies my TSA PreCheck reimbursement claim?

Call your card issuer's customer service line and ask why the claim was denied. Common reasons include a missing or unclear receipt, a claim submitted outside the benefit period, or an account that was closed before the claim was processed. Ask what documentation they need to reconsider the claim.

Can I use the same credit card benefit for both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?

No. Most cards that offer this benefit cover one trusted traveler program per benefit year, not both. Check your card's terms to see whether it covers TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or allows you to choose between them. Some premium cards may cover both, but this is rare.

Does the reimbursement count toward my credit card's annual fee?

No. The TSA PreCheck reimbursement is a separate benefit and does not reduce or offset your card's annual fee. If your card charges an annual fee, you pay that in full regardless of whether you use the TSA PreCheck benefit.

What happens if I lose my TSA PreCheck card before the reimbursement posts?

You can still submit your receipt for reimbursement. The credit is based on your payment for the process, not on possession of the card itself. Contact your card issuer with your original receipt and they will process the claim.