Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Applying for Global Entry is getting more expensive from October, but two major credit card issuers are boosting their Global Entry benefits for some of their most popular travel rewards cards.
On April 11, Citi announced it would increase its Global Entry statement credits to $120 every four years for the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) and the Citi Prestige® Card.
Now, Chase has followed that up by announcing that it would do the same for several of its more popular cards.
The move comes after TPG was first to report that the price of applying for a five-year Global Entry membership would rise from $100 to $120 from Oct. 1. In announcing the fee hike, 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 see changes.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Offsetting the higher Global Entry fee
As valuable an option as Global Entry is for travelers, the application fee isn’t a drop in the bucket. However, some travel credit cards will reimburse the fee when it comes time to apply.
But many of those cards’ benefits include specified credits of up to $100 to cover the existing Global Entry expense. (Exact terms differ from card to card.)
CBP’s fee hike planned for later this year opened the door for questions about whether card issuers might adapt their Global Entry benefits to account for the new, higher fee.
Now, Citi and Chase have done just that, ensuring Global Entry remains essentially a free perk for travelers who carry its high-end cards.
Which Citi cards are raising their Global Entry credit?
Starting on Oct. 1, Citi will raise its Global Entry fee statement credits for two cards: the Citi Prestige Card and the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
Though the Citi/AAdvantage Executive card has a hefty $595 annual fee, it carries strong value for regular American flyers as it’s the only card that provides complimentary Admirals Club access.
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 earn Loyalty Points on everyday purchases, too, which helps you work your way toward AAdvantage elite status.
That’s on top of other perks such as Lyft and Grubhub credits, as well as the Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck) statement credit once every four years; that credit will now rise from $100 to $120 for Global Entry applicants to cover the program’s hiked fee.
Meanwhile, cardholders of the Citi Prestige card (no longer available to new applicants) can receive a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry enrollment fee credit every four years. As of October, that credit will also cover up to $120 for applications to the latter program. The card carries a $495 annual fee.
Which Chase cards are raising their Global Entry credit?
Also starting on Oct. 1, Chase cardmembers will raise its Global Entry fee statement credits for the following cards: the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, United℠ Explorer Card, United Club℠ Infinite Card, United Quest℠ Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, Aeroplan® Credit Card, Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card.
Some of these cards, like the Sapphire Reserve and IHG One Rewards Premier, are among the most popular Chase offerings on the market. If you have one of the listed cards or are thinking about applying for one, keep in mind that your Global Entry fee will continue to be fully covered even when the cost increases later this year.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry provides travelers with an expedited trip through passport control following an international flight. It’s available at more than 75 airports, most of which are in the U.S.; there’s also a handful of international preclearance facilities.
The program also gives travelers access to the TSA PreCheck lanes at airport security checkpoints.
Though Global Entry applicants have faced delays in recent years, from long processing times to challenges finding an interview, wait times are improving for the vast majority of travelers, CBP insisted in a recent interview with TPG.
Bottom line
Now, all eyes will be on the other credit card issuers to see if they will follow in Chase and Citi’s footsteps and raise their Global Entry statement credits to account for the program’s higher fee. The higher fee takes effect in October.
Because of the 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 as of October — it’s a great time to consider joining. This is especially the case if the adults in your family can get their application costs reimbursed or offset through an eligible travel credit card.
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