Major Card Issuers to Increase Global Entry Statement Credits to $120: Coming in October

Claiming the Global Entry program will get more expensive this October, but many major credit card issuers are increasing Global Entry benefits for some of their most popular travel rewards cards.

Citi announced in April that it would increase its Global Entry credits on two of its top cards to $120 every four years. Chase quickly followed suit, and now Amex and Capital One have announced they will do the same for several of their most popular cards.

The move comes after TPG was first to report that the fee to apply for a five-year Global Entry membership would increase from $100 to $120 starting Oct. 1. In announcing the fee increase, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which oversees Global Entry, cited rising costs to operate the program.

Here’s what to know about this change, and the full list of cards that will be changed.

Compensation for the higher overall membership fee

While Global Entry is a valuable option for travelers, the application fee is not a drop in the bucket. However, some travel credit cards will refund the fee when it’s time to apply.

But many of the perks of these cards include specific credits of up to $100 to cover existing Global Entry expenses. (The exact terms vary by card.)

CBP’s fee increase, expected later this year, has raised questions about whether card issuers will adjust Global Entry benefits to account for the new higher fee.

Now, Amex, Capital One, Citi, and Chase have done just that, ensuring that Global Entry remains essentially a free perk for travelers who hold its higher-end cards.

Which Capital One cards are increasing their Global Entry credit?

Capital One is the latest issuer to announce that it will also increase its Global Entry statement credit, applicable to the following cards:

If you have one of these cards, you can continue to enjoy Global Entry at no additional cost.

Which Amex cards are increasing their Global Entry credit?

An American Express spokesperson confirmed to TPG that the following cards will see increased credits on their Global Entry statement:

Additional terms apply.

*Information for these cards has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Which Citi cards are increasing their Global Entry credit?

Starting October 1, Citi will increase Global Entry fee statement credits for two cards: the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi Prestige® card.

Information for the Citi Prestige has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

While the Citi/AAdvantage Executive card has a hefty annual fee of $595 (see rates and fees), it offers great value for frequent American Airlines travelers as it is the only card that offers complimentary access to the Admirals Club.

Cardholders can earn 4 AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for every dollar spent on other purchases. You’ll also earn Reward Points on everyday purchases, which will help you reach AAdvantage elite status.

Added to that are other benefits like Lyft and Grubhub credits, as well as a Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck) statement credit once every four years; that credit will increase from $100 to $120 for Global Entry applicants, to cover the increased program fee.

In the meantime, Citi Prestige cardholders (no longer available to new applicants) can receive a credit toward their TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees every four years. Starting in October, that credit will also cover up to $120 toward applications for the latter program. The card has an annual fee of $495.

Which Chase cards are increasing their Global Entry credit?

Additionally, starting October 1, Chase cardholders will see increased Global Entry bill credits for the following cards:

Some of these cards, like the Sapphire Reserve and IHG One Rewards Premier, are among the most popular Chase offers on the market. If you have one of the cards listed or are considering applying for one, keep in mind that your Global Entry fee will continue to be fully covered even when the fee increases later this year.

The information for the JP Morgan Reserve Card was collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry offers travelers an expedited journey through passport control after an international flight. It is available at more than 75 airports, most of which are in the United States; there are also a handful of international pre-clearance facilities.

The program also allows travelers to access TSA PreCheck lanes at airport security checkpoints.

While Global Entry applicants have faced delays in recent years, from lengthy processing times to difficulty finding an interview, wait times are improving for the vast majority of travelers, CBP said in a recent interview with TPG.

In conclusion

Now, all eyes will be on the remaining credit card issuers to see if they will follow the big issuers’ lead and increase their Global Entry credits to account for the program’s higher fee. The higher fee will go into effect in October.

With changes to make Global Entry more efficient and technologically advanced, not to mention the fact that children of members or applicants can apply for free starting in October, it’s a great time to consider joining. This is especially true if the adults in your family can get their application fees reimbursed or offset through an eligible travel credit card.

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