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Can Someone Else Use My Credit Card’s Global Entry Credit?

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You might be wondering: “If I have a credit card that reimburses the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck can I use the benefit for someone else if I already have it?”

Perhaps you have a friend, family member, or spouse who would love to have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. Or maybe you're just tired of waiting for your travel buddy on the other side of security.

Can they use your credit card perk to cover the application cost for themselves? The answer is yes.

When using your travel rewards credit card to cover the cost of Global Entry, there is no requirement that the credit is used for the primary cardholder on the account.

I recently used Thrifty Traveler co-founder Nick's Platinum Card® from American Express to cover the cost of my Global Entry application. He had already used his Chase Sapphire Reserve card to get the benefit for himself, so the credit on his Platinum card was going unused. Here's what you need to know, and how to do it.

 

Should I get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?

The answer is simple: if your credit card covers it, and you plan to do even some international travel, get Global Entry. Global Entry is a two-for-one: a fast-pass through immigration when you re-enter the United States from an international trip, and it also includes membership in the TSA PreCheck program.

Yes: when you have Global Entry, TSA PreCheck is included as a part of the program. Applying is straightforward just like with TSA PreCheck, and the interview is a breeze as long as you don’t have a criminal record.

However, be warned. There has been a backlog of applications, and it is taking Customs and Border protection up to 6 months or longer to process some applications.

Read our guide for 5 Tips to Get Your Global Entry Interview Scheduled Faster. 

 

Cover Yourself First

Before lending your credit card that offers free Global Entry, make sure you've got this service covered for yourself. This benefit can only be reaped once every four years, and Global Entry must be renewed every 5 years.

In this case, we recommend planning to cover your own cost of Global Entry using your credit card first. If you have more than one of the credit cards on this list, receive Global Entry from an employer or another source already, it is a great opportunity to share the wealth.

Read More: The Best Credit Cards Offering Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

 

How to Use the Global Entry Credit on Someone Else's Card

I recently decided I wanted Global Entry, but don't currently carry a travel rewards credit card that offers the benefit. However, our co-founder Nick holds both the American Express Platinum card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve cards and only needs to use one to use and renew his Global Entry. Nick offered to let me use the Global Entry credit benefit on his American Express Platinum card so I could get Global Entry for free.

The application process for Global Entry is simple but can take a bit of time to fill out. You'll need to fill out personal information, such as where you have lived and worked in the past five years. Once you've completed the application and been conditionally approved, you'll need to schedule an interview at one of the designated locations. Read the in-depth process of how to apply for Global Entry here.

There is only one difference in your application if you use someone else's credit card that holds the Global Entry benefit: you will pay the $100 cost of Global Entry with their credit card.

Their credit card will then be credited for the amount of $100. The name on the credit card and the name on the Global Entry application don't need to match for this reimbursement to go through. Just keep in mind that most of the credit cards above only allow for the Global Entry credit to be redeemed once every 4 years, so keep timing in mind when utilizing this perk.

 

Bottom Line

Feeling generous and want to get your friend, family member, or spouse Global Entry with your credit card perk? Simply have them go through the application process as usual and pay with your credit card to be reimbursed in full. Remember to keep one card's Global Entry reimbursement for yourself, to reapply every 5 years as required.

However, if you have more than one of the cards above and want to gift Global Entry to a fellow travel buddy, use that awesome travel perk and make their day.

 

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

2 Responses

  • Just a word of caution: I wanted to let my wife use my credit for TSA Precheck. Unfortunately, you pay for that at the time of the interview (I assume you pay for Global Entry online), and they wouldn’t take my card if I wasn’t there with her.

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