Global Entry is a U.S. government Trusted Traveler Program that can make it a relative breeze to clear customs at the airport. It allows people to bypass the customs line and submit their information at a self-service kiosk instead. Membership also includes TSA PreCheck membership, which helps to expedite traveler screening through participating TSA security checkpoints.
➤ LEARN MORE:Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck
This service isn’t free though. You’ll need to spend $120 to submit a Global Entry application and then attend an in-person interview to confirm your eligibility. While there is no way to get around the interview, several travel credit cards will reimburse the cost of the application fee, making Global Entry free for you.
Once approved, you won’t need to renew your Global Entry membership for five years. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use the Global Entry credit on a new rewards credit card. Instead, you can pass along this perk to another person, such as an authorized user.
Sharing a Global Entry credit with an authorized user
An authorized user is someone who has permission to use your credit card account. They may be issued a card of their own to make purchases, or in some cases, people may add an authorized user simply to help boost another person’s credit score. For instance, a parent might add an adult child to an account as an authorized user to help them build their credit history.
If you have a credit card that reimburses a Global Entry application fee but are already enrolled in the program, you can share that statement credit with your authorized user. In fact, you can share that credit with anyone.
That’s because you don’t need to submit any paperwork or verification regarding who is enrolled in Global Entry. Instead, the credit card company will issue a reimbursement when it sees a charge on your account for a Global Entry application. They don’t know if that application is for you, your authorized user or another friend or family member. All that matters is that you use your eligible card to pay for the application fee.
Making the most of Global Entry credits
Before you offer an authorized user your Global Entry statement credit, check to see if they might be eligible for one of their own. A few cards – most notably CardName discontinued – give authorized users their own Global Entry credit. (Enrollment required. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser. Terms apply.)
Assuming your card only provides one credit to be shared among all users, be strategic about how you will claim it. For instance, if you have already enrolled in Global Entry, you may want to let your authorized user have the credit that is available on your card.
But keep in mind that cards will generally only reimburse one application fee every four years. So if your Global Entry membership needs to be renewed in three years, for example, you might want to think twice before letting someone else use your credit.
Global Entry credits are a common perk for premium travel credit cards. CardName, CardName and CardName are just a few of the cards offering this benefit.
If you have multiple cards that offer Global Entry, feel free to share this benefit with authorized users or others. They only need to pay their application fee with your card for the credit to be applied. Just be sure to have one card set aside to cover your own Global Entry application when the time comes to renew.
