A Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit is worth only about $16 to $24 a year, so never pay an annual fee for it alone. If the credit is all you want, get the no-fee U.S. Bank Altitude Connect. Otherwise, pick the card whose other perks you’d use anyway.
Global Entry costs $120 and TSA PreCheck costs $79.75 to $85, each for a five-year membership. Most of the cards below reimburse either fee every four years, sooner than a membership runs out. Each card that charges an annual fee earns its place with perks worth more than the fee to the right traveler, such as free checked bags, a hotel credit, or lounge access.
On the two Sapphire cards and the United Explorer, the credit also covers NEXUS, which speeds pre-screened travelers into the U.S. and Canada. Several other airline cards and hotel cards pay the fee too, but their perks help only if you fly that airline or stay at that chain. Whether an annual fee card is worth it at all depends on which of its rewards and credits fit how you already spend.
No annual fee
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
It’s the only card here with no annual fee, and it suits drivers and occasional flyers with 4 points per dollar on travel and on the first $1,000 of gas each quarter.
- Best for: Road-trippers and travelers who spend heavily on flights, hotels, and gas
- What Sets It Apart: Priority Pass visits and a PreCheck credit without an annual fee
- Welcome Offer: 20,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days
- Rewards: 5X on hotels and car rentals prepaid through U.S. Bank’s Travel Center; 4X on travel; 4X on the first $1,000 of gas and EV charging each quarter, then 1X; 2X on dining, streaming, and groceries; 1X on everything else
- Features: Four free Priority Pass visits a year; up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years; trip cancellation, interruption, and delay coverage
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0% on purchases and on balance transfers made in the first 60 days for 15 billing cycles
- APR: 17.74% to 27.74% variable
- Cost: 5% balance transfer fee ($5 minimum); no foreign transaction fee
- Pros: Lounge visits and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit with no annual fee; lounge passes when a registered flight runs two or more hours late
- Cons: Gas bonus capped at $1,000 a quarter; points can’t move to airline or hotel programs; 1X outside the bonus categories
For more information, read our full U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card Review.
Low annual fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A hotel stay booked through Chase Travel each year gets up to $100 back, more than the $95 fee, and the card’s Global Entry credit also covers NEXUS.
- Best for: Travelers who book at least one hotel stay a year through Chase Travel
- What Sets It Apart: A $100 annual Chase Travel hotel credit that covers the $95 fee, plus transfers to airline and hotel programs
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in 3 months
- Rewards: 5x on Chase Travel; 3x on dining, gas, EV charging, streaming, and online grocery
- Features: Up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 19.49% to 27.74% variable
- Cost: No foreign transaction fee
- Pros: $100 hotel credit exceeds the $95 fee; primary rental car coverage; trip cancellation and trip delay coverage
- Cons: Credit only on Chase Travel hotel bookings, which usually earn no hotel loyalty points; 1x on non-bonus purchases; Points Boost limited to select bookings; no intro APR
For more information, read our full Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Travelers who want one simple card earn 2 miles per dollar on everything and pay no extra fee on purchases abroad, for $95 a year.
- Best for: Travelers who want one flat-rate miles card for all their spending
- What Sets It Apart: Flat 2X miles everywhere; transfers to 22 airline and hotel programs, most at one to one
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 miles after $4,000 in purchases in 3 months
- Rewards: 5X on Capital One Travel reservations for hotels, vacation rentals, or rental cars; 2 miles per dollar on every purchase
- Features: A one-time $300 Capital One Travel credit for hotels and vacation rentals in year one; up to $120 every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 19.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable
- Cost: No foreign transaction fee
- Pros: No bonus categories to track; a first-year offer worth up to $1,050 toward travel; transferred miles worth more than a cent each on awards that cost fewer miles than their cash price in cents
- Cons: 2X beats the no-fee VentureOne’s 1.25X after the fee only past about $12,700 a year; no airport lounge access; 5X and the $300 credit only on Capital One Travel bookings
For more information, read our full Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Review.
United℠ Explorer Card
United flyers who buy tickets with the card check a first bag free for themselves and a companion. Its Global Entry credit also covers NEXUS, and the $150 fee is waived the first year.
- Best for: Travelers who fly United a few times a year, check a bag, and often book with a companion
- What Sets It Apart: Free first checked bag for you and a companion; early Group 2 boarding; two United Club lounge passes a year
- Welcome Offer: Up to 80,000 miles, 70,000 after $3,000 in purchases and 10,000 for adding an authorized user, both in the first 3 months
- Rewards: 3 miles per $1 on United purchases; 2 on dining and on hotels booked directly; 1 on everything else
- Features: Up to $120 every 4 years toward a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee; at least 10% fewer miles on United flights booked with miles
- Annual Fee: $0 the first year, then $150
- APR: 19.99% to 28.49% variable
- Cost: No foreign transaction fees
- Pros: Free first bags for two can cover the $150 fee in one round trip; two United Club passes a year, which Chase values at over $100
- Cons: Advertised $500-plus in credits split across specific partners; only 1,000 Premier qualifying points a year toward elite status; no companion ticket
For more information, read our full United℠ Explorer Card Review.
PenFed Pathfinder Rewards® Visa Signature® Card
If you’re willing to join PenFed, which takes a $5 savings account, the card pays up to $100 a year back on extra fees for domestic flights, more than the $95 annual fee.
- Best for: PenFed Honors Advantage members who fly a few times a year and put plenty of travel and dining on the card
- What Sets It Apart: Up to $100 a year back on airline fees; $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years
- Welcome Offer: 50,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases in 90 days
- Rewards: 4 points per dollar on travel for Honors Advantage members; 3 points per dollar on travel, 2 on dining, and 1.5 on everything else
- Features: Priority Pass Select membership
- Annual Fee: $95
- Intro APR: No interest for a year on balances moved from other cards within 60 days of opening
- APR: 17.99% variable
- Cost: 3% balance transfer fee; no foreign transaction fee
- Eligibility: Anyone can apply; you join PenFed afterward with a $5 savings deposit
- Pros: Airline fee credit can cover the annual fee; no foreign transaction fee
- Cons: Points worth 0.85 to 1 cent each, with no cash back; $35 per person for each Priority Pass visit; points expire after 5 years
For more information, read our full PenFed Pathfinder Rewards® Visa Signature® Card Review.
Flagship Premier Visa Signature® Card
Military members, veterans, and their families who join Navy Federal get $100 back a year after $100 of airline purchases, more than the $95 fee, and the card pays toward Global Entry, PreCheck, or both.
- Best for: Navy Federal members who spend at least $100 a year with airlines
- What Sets It Apart: A $100 airline credit each year after $100 in airline purchases, which covers the $95 fee; 4x on travel booked anywhere; interest rates that top out at 18%
- Welcome Offer: 50,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in 90 days
- Rewards: 4x on travel; 3x on dining; 1x on everything else; points worth 1 cent each as cash
- Features: Up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 15.74% to 18.00% variable
- Cost: No balance transfer fee; no foreign transaction fee
- Eligibility: Navy Federal membership, open to service members, veterans, Defense Department civilians, and their families
- Pros: Credit covers the fee with $100 a year in airline purchases; travel bonus includes rideshares, parking, and tolls; points don’t expire while the account is open
- Cons: Members only; 1x outside travel and dining; points worth 1 cent, with no transfers to airline or hotel programs; no lounge access or trip cancellation coverage
For more information, read our full Flagship Premier Visa Signature® Card Review.
Premium annual fees
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Frequent travelers who book through Capital One Travel can cover the $395 fee with the card’s $300 yearly travel credit plus 10,000 bonus miles each year, worth $100 toward travel, and get lounge access.
- Best for: Frequent travelers who’ll book at least $300 a year through Capital One Travel
- What Sets It Apart: $300 yearly travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles worth $400 toward travel, more than the $395 fee
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 in purchases in 3 months
- Rewards: 10X on Capital One Travel hotels and rental cars; 5X on Capital One Travel flights and vacation rentals; 2X miles on all purchases
- Features: Up to $120 back for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years
- Annual Fee: $395
- APR: 19.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable
- Cost: No foreign transaction fees
- Pros: Lounge access for the primary cardholder at Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges; miles worth 1 cent each toward travel; transfers to more than 15 airline and hotel programs
- Cons: Travel credit works only on Capital One Travel bookings and expires each year; lounge guests cost $45 per adult at Capital One Lounges and $35 at Priority Pass; $125 a year for each authorized user’s lounge access
For more information, read our full Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Use its $300 travel, $300 dining, and $500 hotel credits, and you get more back than the $795 fee, plus lounge access and a Global Entry credit that also covers NEXUS.
- Best for: Frequent travelers who will use the travel credit and at least two of the dining, StubHub, and The Edit credits
- What Sets It Apart: $300 travel credit that covers almost any travel purchase; lounge access with up to two guests
- Welcome Offer: 100,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months
- Rewards: 8x on Chase Travel; 4x on flights and hotels booked direct; 3x on dining; points worth up to 2 cents each with Points Boost
- Features: Up to $500 for prepaid The Edit stays; $300 dining credit; $300 StubHub credit; up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS credit every 4 years
- Annual Fee: $795
- APR: 19.74% to 28.24% variable
- Cost: No foreign transaction fees; $195 per authorized user
- Pros: Automatic $300 travel credit; Chase Sapphire Lounges and 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges; transfers to United, Southwest, and World of Hyatt; up to $75,000 in rental car coverage
- Cons: $795 fee; dining and StubHub credits paid in $150 halves; several perks end in 2027; 1 cent per point in Chase Travel without Points Boost
For more information, read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review.
American Express Platinum Card®
Flyers who’ll use the card’s lounges and enough of its hotel and airline credits can justify the $895 fee, and it pays up to $219 a year toward CLEAR+ security lanes too.
- Best for: Frequent travelers who’ll use airport lounges and most of the card’s credits without changing how they spend
- What Sets It Apart: Access to more than 1,550 airport lounges; Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; 11 yearly credits worth $2,994 at face value
- Welcome Offer: Up to 175,000 points after $12,000 in purchases in 6 months
- Rewards: 5 points per dollar on flights booked with airlines or Amex Travel (up to $500,000 a year) and on prepaid Amex Travel hotels; 1 point elsewhere
- Features: $600 a year for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection stays; $200 in airline fees; $200 in Uber Cash; $219 for CLEAR+; up to $120 for Global Entry every 4 years
- Annual Fee: $895
- APR: 19.74% to 28.74% variable on Pay Over Time balances
- Cost: No foreign transaction fee; $195 per additional Platinum card
- Pros: Free entry to Centurion lounges and 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year on eligible Delta flights; up to two free guests at Priority Pass, Escape, and Plaza Premium lounges
- Cons: Credits split into monthly, quarterly, and half-year amounts; $50 per Centurion Lounge guest until $75,000 in yearly spending; 1 point per dollar on everyday spending
For more information, read our full American Express Platinum Card® Review.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card
Bank of America and Merrill clients who fly often get up to $300 a year for airline fees, $150 for things like streaming and rideshares, and Priority Pass memberships for up to four people.
- Best for: Frequent flyers with $100,000 or more in Bank of America and Merrill balances
- What Sets It Apart: $450 a year in airline and lifestyle credits; Priority Pass lounge access for up to four people; 20% off flights paid with points through BofA Travel
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in 90 days
- Rewards: 2 points per $1 on travel and dining and 1.5 on everything else; 10% to 75% more points through BofA Rewards
- Features: Up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years; trip delay, cancellation, and lost luggage coverage
- Annual Fee: $550
- APR: 19.74% to 27.74% variable
- Cost: No foreign transaction fee
- Pros: Up to 3.5 points per $1 on travel and dining with $1 million in balances; points worth 1 cent each as cash; unlimited lounge visits
- Cons: $455 higher annual fee than the Premium Rewards; under 2 points per $1 on everyday purchases below $100,000 in balances; no airline or hotel transfer partners
For more information, read our full Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card Review.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®
American Airlines regulars who’d otherwise buy an Admirals Club membership get one with the card, plus a free first checked bag on domestic American flights for themselves and up to eight companions.
- Best for: Frequent American Airlines flyers who would pay for an Admirals Club membership anyway
- What Sets It Apart: The only card with a full Admirals Club membership; lounge entry for as many as three authorized users; first checked bag free for up to eight companions
- Welcome Offer: 80,000 miles for $8,000 spent in 3 months
- Rewards: 12x on AAdvantage Hotels and Cars bookings; 4x on American Airlines purchases
- Features: As many as 40,000 bonus Loyalty Points a year toward elite status; a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $120 every 4 years
- Annual Fee: $695
- APR: 19.74% to 29.74% variable
- Cost: No foreign transaction fees; $175 a year for up to three authorized users
- Pros: $695 fee, below the $1,200 to $1,400 the same membership costs on its own; priority boarding for up to eight companions; credits for American Airlines Vacations, Lyft, Avis or Budget, and inflight and Admirals Club purchases
- Cons: 1 mile per $1 on most purchases; $8,000 spend for the bonus; no companion certificate; no free bag or priority boarding for authorized users
For more information, read our full Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® Review.
Every card here pays toward Global Entry or PreCheck, so the credit is a small extra on any of them rather than a reason to choose one. Take the no-fee Altitude Connect for the credit alone, or pay an annual fee for a card whose other perks would save you more than that fee each year.
For a card tied to the airline you fly most, compare the best airline credit cards.
Editorial & Advertiser Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser. Opinions expressed here are ours alone, not those of any advertiser. The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. That compensation may influence which products we cover and where and how they appear on a page – including the order in which they appear – but it does not influence our evaluations, ratings, or opinions. We do not include every company or offer available in the marketplace.
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