Skip to main content

Can I Upgrade TSA PreCheck To Global Entry?

by
Last updated on 5 min read

Yes — if you have TSA PreCheck you can still apply for Global Entry, but you must complete the full application and pay the $100 fee; there is no reduced upgrade path.

How does Chase reimburse for Global Entry?

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive a $100 statement credit every four years for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Pay the fee with your Sapphire Reserve card, and the credit shows up within one to two billing cycles. The benefit resets after four years, matching typical renewal schedules. Chase’s terms require you to request the credit manually—it doesn’t happen automatically.

How do I get reimbursed for Global Entry?

Pay the $100 Global Entry fee with a credit card that offers a reimbursement perk; the issuer will issue a statement credit for the same amount within weeks.

Use the card with the benefit and file any required claim forms. Hold onto your receipt and confirmation email as proof. Most issuers process the credit within 60 days of the statement closing date.

Does AA credit card pay Global Entry?

The Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive card gives you a $100 application fee credit every five years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Charge the fee to the card, then submit a request through the Citi concierge service. The credit appears on your statement within two billing cycles. This benefit kicks in once per membership year, not per calendar year.

How do I check my Global Entry status?

Log in to your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) Dashboard at www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/ttp-dashboard to see your current status.

You’ll see updates like “Pending Review,” “Conditionally Approved,” or “Approved.” The system emails you as your application moves along. Processing times vary—some get through in weeks, others wait months.

Does Global Entry really save time?

Global Entry cuts immigration and customs processing from 45 minutes to under 5 minutes by using automated kiosks.

You bypass passport control lines and go straight to kiosks for fingerprint and passport scans. This perk shines brightest during holiday travel rushes at international airports.

How can I get Global Entry for free?

Open a travel rewards card that includes a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit every four or five years.

Cards from Chase, Citi, Amex, and Capital One usually offer this. Pay the fee with the card, then request the credit—it won’t post unless you ask.

Which is better Clear or Global Entry?

Global Entry is the clear winner because it bundles TSA PreCheck with faster U.S. customs and immigration processing on international arrivals.

CLEAR only speeds up security check-in by verifying your identity at airport kiosks. Global Entry members also get a Known Traveler Number, which unlocks TSA PreCheck lanes for domestic flights.

ServiceCost (2026)TSA PreCheckInternational Lines
Global Entry$100 every 5 yrsIncludedCustoms & Immigration
TSA PreCheck$85 every 5 yrsIncludedNone
CLEAR$189/yrNoNone

Why do I not get TSA PreCheck with Global Entry?

You must add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline reservation and profile to unlock TSA PreCheck benefits.

Your Global Entry card alone doesn’t automatically grant access to TSA PreCheck lanes. Type in the 9-digit KTN when booking flights or update it in your frequent flyer account. Skip this step, and you might end up in the regular security line.

How quickly can I get Global Entry?

Plan on six months on average, though it can take anywhere from two to ten months.

First comes the conditional approval letter, then interview scheduling. Once approved, your membership runs for five years from the approval date.

How do I get TSA PreCheck for free?

Apply for a travel card that reimburses the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee—Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive are the most common.

Pay the $85 fee with the eligible card, then request the statement credit. The credit usually posts within one to two billing cycles.

CardBenefitResets every
Chase Sapphire Reserve$100 Global Entry or TSA Pre4 years
Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive$100 Global Entry or TSA Pre5 years
Capital One Venture X$100 Global Entry or TSA Pre4 years
Bank of America Premium Rewards$100 Global Entry or TSA Pre4 years

How much is Global Entry?

The Global Entry application fee is $100 for new applicants—and it’s non-refundable even if your application gets rejected.

The fee covers five years of membership. Some premium travel cards will refund this cost as a statement credit. Check your card’s benefits page to confirm.

How much is Global Entry renewal?

Renewing Global Entry costs $100 every five years—you’ll need to submit a new application and pay the fee.

You can use the same travel credit card benefits that covered your initial fee. Start the renewal process within a year of expiration to avoid any gaps in coverage.

Do I need another interview to renew Global Entry?

Most people don’t need another interview when renewing Global Entry, though CBP may ask for one if your background check raises any red flags.

Your conditional approval letter will say whether an interview is required. If not, you can swing by an enrollment center to finish renewal without an appointment.

Can I call Global Entry?

Call 1-877-227-5511 for general Global Entry questions and customer service.

The line’s open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET. Use the automated menu to check your application status or schedule an interview. For renewal questions, have your PASSID handy.

How do I use Global Entry at the airport?

At eligible airports, present your passport or U.S. permanent resident card at a Global Entry kiosk, scan your fingerprints, and finish your customs declaration

Look for the green “Global Entry” signs right after you land. The kiosk prints a receipt—hand that plus any baggage receipts to a CBP officer before you leave. The whole process usually takes less than five minutes.

Edited and fact-checked by the MeridianFacts editorial team.
Tom Bennett

Tom Bennett is a travel planning writer and former travel agent who has booked everything from weekend road trips to round-the-world itineraries. He lives in San Diego and writes practical travel guides that focus on what you actually need to know, not what looks good on Instagram.