Credit cards that reimburse TSA PreCheck costs

Several credit cards reimburse the full $78 to $85 TSA PreCheck process fee (the exact amount depends on whether you renew or explore new). The reimbursement typically appears as a statement credit within one to three billing cycles after you submit your receipt to the card issuer. You pay the fee upfront at the TSA appointment or online, then the card company credits your account later.

The cards most commonly offering this benefit fall into two groups: premium travel cards and certain business cards. American Express, Chase, and Capital One all have versions that include TSA PreCheck reimbursement, though the specific cards change their benefits periodically. The reimbursement is not automatic—you must submit proof of payment (usually a receipt or confirmation email) through the card's online portal or mobile app.

Key Takeaways

  • American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Capital One Venture X all reimburse the full TSA PreCheck fee when you submit your receipt through their benefits portal.
  • You pay the TSA fee yourself at your appointment, then request reimbursement from your card issuer within the timeframe stated in your card's benefits guide.
  • Reimbursement typically takes one to three billing cycles to appear as a statement credit, not as a refund to your original payment method.
  • Some cards limit reimbursement to once per card membership year, so check your specific card's terms before explore for a second TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

American Express cards with TSA PreCheck reimbursement

The American Express Platinum Card reimburses up to $100 per year for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS fees. This means you can cover TSA PreCheck and still have room in the benefit if you later add another trusted traveler program. The reimbursement applies once per calendar year, so if you renew TSA PreCheck in January and again in December, only one will be covered.

The American Express Business Platinum offers the same $100 annual reimbursement for these programs. Both cards require you to charge the fee to the Amex card itself, then submit your receipt through the Amex benefits portal. Response time is usually two to four weeks.

Chase cards with TSA PreCheck reimbursement

The Chase Sapphire Reserve reimburses up to $100 per year for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. Like the Amex cards, this covers the full TSA PreCheck fee with room to spare. The reimbursement is limited to once per calendar year.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not include TSA PreCheck reimbursement, so confirm you have the Reserve version before counting on this benefit. Chase processes reimbursement requests through its benefits portal and typically credits your account within one to two billing cycles.

Capital One and other issuers

The Capital One Venture X reimburses up to $100 per year for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS. This card also limits reimbursement to once per calendar year. Capital One processes requests through its online benefits center.

Some regional or co-branded cards may also offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement, but these three issuers (Amex, Chase, Capital One) account for the majority of cards with this benefit. Before opening a new card solely for this reimbursement, check whether you already hold a card that includes it—many people discover they already have coverage through a card they use for other reasons.

How to request reimbursement from your card issuer

The process varies slightly by issuer, but the basic steps are the same. First, pay your TSA PreCheck fee using the credit card that offers the reimbursement. You can pay online at the TSA website or in person at a TSA enrollment center. Keep your receipt or confirmation email—you will need proof of the charge and the amount.

Log into your card's online account or mobile app and look for a benefits or claims section. American Express calls this the "Benefits Portal," Chase uses "Benefits and Offers," and Capital One has a "Benefits Center." Upload or submit a photo of your receipt along with the date you paid and the amount. Include the TSA PreCheck confirmation number if you have it. The issuer will review your submission and credit your account if everything matches.

Do not wait months to submit your request. Most cards require you to submit within 60 to 90 days of the charge. If you miss the window, the issuer will likely deny the reimbursement request.

What happens if your card does not reimburse TSA PreCheck

If you do not hold one of these cards, you have two options: open a new card with TSA PreCheck reimbursement, or pay the fee out of pocket. Opening a card just for a $78 reimbursement rarely makes financial sense unless you were planning to open a travel card anyway. The annual fees on these cards ($550 for Amex Platinum, $550 for Chase Sapphire Reserve, $395 for Capital One Venture X) are high, and the reimbursement only offsets a small portion.

If you already have a premium travel card from another issuer, contact that issuer's customer service and ask whether they offer TSA PreCheck reimbursement. Some cards add or remove benefits periodically, and your card may have gained this benefit since you opened it.

Reimbursement for Global Entry and NEXUS instead of TSA PreCheck

All three of the cards mentioned above reimburse Global Entry ($100) and NEXUS ($120) as alternatives to TSA PreCheck. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck automatically, so if you choose Global Entry instead, you get both programs under one fee. The reimbursement cap is usually $100 per year, which covers TSA PreCheck or Global Entry but not both in the same year.

If you hold multiple cards with this benefit, you can typically use each card's reimbursement once per calendar year. For example, if you have both Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, you could theoretically reimburse TSA PreCheck through one card and Global Entry through the other in the same year. Check each card's terms to confirm this is allowed, as some issuers may have restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the card to pay for TSA PreCheck to get reimbursed?

Yes. You must charge the TSA PreCheck fee to the specific credit card offering the reimbursement. If you pay with a different card or with cash, the issuer will not reimburse you. Some issuers may make exceptions if you can prove the charge posted to your account later, but this is rare.

What if I explore for TSA PreCheck but do not get approved?

Most card issuers will still reimburse the process fee even if the TSA denies your request. The reimbursement covers the fee itself, not the outcome. Confirm this with your card issuer before submitting your request, but standard practice is to reimburse the charge regardless of approval status.

Can I use the reimbursement for my spouse's or family member's TSA PreCheck?

No. The reimbursement applies only to fees charged to the cardholder's account. If your spouse needs TSA PreCheck, they would need to hold the card themselves or you would need to pay out of pocket. Some families open the same card for multiple household members to cover multiple TSA PreCheck fees.

How long does reimbursement take after I submit my receipt?

Most issuers process reimbursement requests within one to three billing cycles, which typically means two to six weeks. American Express is often faster (one to two weeks), while Chase and Capital One may take longer. Check your card's benefits guide for the specific timeline.

What if my reimbursement request is denied?

The most common reasons for denial are submitting after the important date (usually 60 to 90 days), not charging the fee to the correct card, or submitting a receipt that does not clearly show the TSA PreCheck charge. Contact your card issuer's customer service with your receipt and the date you paid. They can often override a denial if the charge is clearly visible on your statement.